Selecting a School for a Child with Asperger's Syndrome

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For children of any age, school can be a time of tremendous social challenges, awkwardness and stress. For children with Asperger's syndrome, these social demands may simply be too much.

Many schools aren't prepared to address the excessive bullying, inadequate staff training or challenging school cultures that can make school a nightmare for children with social issues such as Asperger's. For too many families, their child simply "falls between the cracks," says Aaron McGinley, clinical services manager at Talisman Programs, a residential school and camp for teenagers and young adults with Asperger's. For too many parents, their child is being left behind.

When trying to find a school that addresses those issues, many parents are searching for an alternative placement for their child with special needs. Those families not only want to find an alternative - they want to find the right alternative. But that search is not easy, and many families become overwhelmed.

Here are some things to consider when searching for a private school, boarding school or alternative placement for your child with Asperger's syndrome.

All Special Needs are not the Same

The autism spectrum can be very broad. If your child has Asperger's syndrome, it is important to determine if the school's student profile is appropriate and challenging for your child.

Because students with Asperger's often mirror the behavior of those around them, it can be particularly difficult if the special needs school accepts a large portion of children with substantial behavioral or emotional difficulties. It is best for Asperger's students to be around students with similar behaviors, or those with more calming behaviors.

Needed Support for Social Skills Development

For many students with Asperger's, their social skills not only impact their social development, but also their academic and personal development. Because of that, a good social skills curriculum is critical to their success.

The best approach will seamlessly combine instructional, logical and experiential models of learning. Students with Asperger's syndrome generally do best when there is structure and routine. Schools that provide a lot of free play may not be a good fit for your child.

At Talisman, the social skills curriculum is synchronized with the rest of the program so that students get needed support at every stage of their education. "While that is not easy to do, it is very important," says McGinley, who teaches the social skills curriculum at Talisman.

To achieve this, McGinley and the rest of the team at Talisman put much thought into planning a multi-sensory social skills curriculum that is relevant and meaningful to the students at the school. The result is a social skills program that fits in with the culture and approach of Talisman.

Providing Needed Therapy

Children with Asperger's may need a therapeutic element to their education to help them successfully navigate the social challenges that school presents. Find out if the schools you are considering offer therapy, whether individual, group or occupational. If your child is aware that there is an outlet on campus to turn to, it may make the process of socializing just that much easier.

Appropriate System of Privileges

Some schools, especially residential and boarding schools, provide a "level system" for students to earn privileges as they demonstrate responsibility and growth. If the school you are considering has such a system, does it have an appropriate focus on your child's social development, or is it geared for a different type of student? Make sure the school's system of rewards is one your child can actually attain. Otherwise, your child is likely to feel stunted in his or her growth.

No Tolerance for Bullies

Unfortunately, school-aged kids can be cruel, especially to those kids who seem different from them. With the behaviors that define Asperger's, children with the syndrome are often made targets of bullies. Investigate a school's policy on dealing with bullies to make sure there is no tolerance for that behavior, and that there is an appropriate (and effective) grievance procedure.

An Educated Staff Provides a Better Environment

It is likely that most school educators and staff have had to handle a variety of special needs students. But what is most important for your child is that the school's employees know how to work specifically with children with Asperger's syndrome. At an Asperger's school such as Talisman, you are guaranteed to find a staff that is comfortable and competent in interacting with Asperger's students.

Talk or meet with the staff at schools to be sure they understand what Asperger's syndrome is, and make sure the teachers are willing and able to accommodate your child. Ask them how many kids with Asperger's they have had at their school before, and how their program is tailored to provide a worthwhile learning experience for those kids.

Explain to them the behaviors particular to your child, and determine if the school is able to handle them appropriately. The staff of the school will be spending a good deal of time with your child, and you want to make sure they are providing the support your child needs.

The Element of Surprise

Nothing will give you an idea of how a potential school will work with your child better than visiting the school during regular school hours. While many schools may require you to schedule an appointment, try and drop in without much advance notice. Without a lot of preparation time, you will get the best look at how classrooms with Asperger's children operate.

Ask for Help

When trying to select an appropriate Asperger's school for your child, consider asking for help from an educational consultant or other professional. It may be a good idea to ask the professional your child is working with to contact the program to discuss the child's needs, as they are likely to have had experience doing so and know what types of questions to ask. If you opt for that, be sure to discuss any concerns and questions you may have so those get addressed as well.

Finding an appropriate school for your child with Asperger's syndrome may take a lot of time and research, but the rewards your child will reap from earning an education at a school that understands his or her needs will be worth it.

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