mainstream schooling for children with learning difficulties?

Question

my daughter is 19mnths old and has down syndrome...i am quite sure i would like her to go to mainstream school. my mother seems to think that this is a bad idea and is worried about her being bullied..its a long way off yet but i need to get her name down early so the nursery staff can start a support plan...she is doing really well..better than what was expected actually..and her early intervention worker seems to think that mainstream is the better option and thinks that she will cope really well. but i must admit im nervous about this as anyone on here had a similair experiences in starting a child with a learning disability in a mainstream school?

la-z hi...since the minute my daughter was born..i have had lots of help and been on free signing courses she has a support home teacher since being 5 months old who will continue to work with her throughout her school years on a one to one basis..all of this has been free even though my partner works and earns a pretty decent wage...i think over the years the educational system for children with downs has changed a lot over the years i know this from speaking with parents and they agree that the support system has changed a lot for the better over the years especially in the uk. i must admit the bullying is the main worry especially as i have a 3 year old at nursey too and i realise this could affect him also. thankyou for your answer.

Answer 1

I don't think she'd be bullied but they'll take liberties with her and the benifits of mainstream education will be outweighed by the problems. My step son was diagnosed as autistic although he's alot better now (12), he's in main stream education but the kids upset him a little and he doesn't understand why (that's exactly why they do it and how they do it). It's nothing major but it's not easy to cope with.

Answer 2

Can't speak from personal experience of being a parent with a child with down syndrome but can give a mainstream teacher's view, currently working in a Nursery class (with 2 children with disabilities)
I personally know 2 girls with downs syndrome who attended mainstream primary school. 1 managed this superbly and is now attending the local comp and doing well. The 2nd girl has gone to a special needs 'comp' because it was felt that her needs were best met there - personally I think she should have changed at the end of infants because she never got anything out of her 'junior' years in the mainstream setting.

I wouldn't worry about the bullying. Nursery children are very accepting/caring - they dont see differences, all they will see is 'Helen' (or whatever your daughter is called) As the children move through school you often find they are caring / protective towards children with difficulties.
You may need to fight to get exactly what your daughter is entitled to. If they go to mainstream make sure they have their support and they get it. Check that the support worker has expereince of working with children with downs syndrome.
Some children manage in earlier stages of mainstream school but struggle as they move through. Be aware of this and check with the school regularly that they are still offering the best education for your child.
Being open minded to ALL possibilities will help YOU choose what is best for YOUR daughter.

Answer 3

I work in a non profit preschool whose' focus is children with Downs' Syndrome and we do mainstream in each class. Our program runs from 6 mos to 6 yrs with 10 children per class (5-7 have Downs'). They are grouped developmentally, not necessarily by age. That makes a difference, because the older children in the class have Downs' and the younger ones do not which lessen the "gap" in both development and size (b/c as you know children w/ Downs' are often smaller than their peers.)

Please do not be afraid of mainstream, just check it out first, some schools have strange versions of mainstreaming, others offer little support for the child or teacher, but you should be able to find a high quality program especially since you are starting so early.

Our school has several locations through the country, if you would like to know more, please contact me through my profile and I will see if there is a location near you.

Good luck and keep fighting the good fight!!!

Answer 4

Check with your Early Intervention Worker about options for transition (when your child turns 3 yrs old). My son is 3 yrs old and is in Special Ed preschool at through our local school system. Here, they have all of the special education preschoolers together, with all different types of disabilities. They also have "peer models", which are typically developing children. Theses students have to meet certain requirements (have good social skills, be potty trained, have well developed communication and language skills, comply with adult requests, etc). I think something like this might be a good way to start.
But ultimately you want to make sure that your child is getting the best education possible. Sometimes main stream is not the best place for that to occur. It will ultimately depend on your child. Know what your rights are. Our state has a wonderful advocacy group called the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities. www.ocecd.org There is also tons of good info on the web regarding special education.

Answer 5

Most early education is about socialising the children, Downs children generally cope well with mainstram during their early years. I think it's worthwhile going for mainstream school especially now, if it gets to be too much for her then she can always change school later. It would be much harder for her to adapt to mainstream after a time in special ed than to do it the other way round. She might be bullied at school but she might not, bullying happens in special schools too. Children with Down's Syndrome usually have a good self image and strong sense of self, some call that stubborn but'\, it can stand them in good stead all through their lives.
I would have a very different opinion if your daughter was autistic as that involves a very different set of special needs.

Answer 6

if you know the school and the staff and you feel they will be supportive I would say try her at mainstream. You can always change if your daughter doesn`t cope.
It is important that the decision is child centered its not about right and wrong its about what your daughter gains from the school she attending. Some children will be disadvantaged at main stream others disadvantaged at special school.
At each stage of her development you as her parent with help and advice from all the other agencies involved with her will be able to make an informed decision about her future.
As for her being bullied, in my experience the opposite is the norm. Children tend to rally round and protect the vulnerable.

Answer 7

Go for it.

As has already been said oung children are very accepting.

If your daughter does not do well she can transfer to special needs - it's easier to go from mainstream to special needs than the other way round.

Yes sh may be bullied but so may a child who is fat, has red hair, talks with a different accent or whatever the bullies think is uncool this year - but you are aware of that and can intercede if neccesary.

Is there a nursery at your local school - so she can get used to her classmates and they can get used to her.

You know your own daughter, and as you know downs is a syndrome - with very varied disabiities and needs. Follow your instincts.

Answer 8

Hi...my son has down syndrome as well and is mainstreamed into our school district. he began school when he turned 3 this past December (early childhood preschool that is located in our kindergarten school). I too was nervous as well about it, but I have to tell you don't worry! you are going to be so surprised on how well she is going to do! In my son's class they interact with all the other kids in the school so they are not separated from them. I believe this is the best thing they could have done. it gives the "typical" children the opportunity to meet kids that are different than themselves and so far with my son they have all treated him just great! (children do not have the prejudices that adults have). it is funny but all the kids want to have Nick on their teams during recess...lol next year he will be going back to the same class for the first semester and his teacher is talking about transitioning him into the 4 yr old kindergarten during the spring semester because he loves to imitate others she feels he would excel being around different kids.... remember the decision is your to make...if you feel you daughter is ready for a regular school system..go for it! you will be pleasantly surprised and if for some reason she doesn't like it or doesn't do as well you ALWAYS have the option of taking her out.

Answer 9

Hi sandie,

How are you? Okay theres two ways looking at this, Mainstream schooling would be an great eduction for your daughter. She will get alota support from teachers and classroom supporter thoughtout her class. There are schools for learning disabilitites from age of 3years old - 19years old. She will be with other learning disabilites childrens but if you put her into mainstream schooling, I feel that she will learn more from kids who knows more. What I'm trying to say is that theres all types of learning disabilities in learning disabilities schooling and you know what your little girl may be more aware than other learning disabilities kids and this may put her behind as others kids keeping her back whilst in mainstream school she will get loads of support and will learn an awful lot. And hopefully in near future she will be accepted in mainstream high school but only time will tell. When she turns 16 and heading out to the big bad world, theres alot of support for her to seek work, don't be afraid for her, I'm working with alot of learning disabilities and they are doing things like other people doing today, also they are living in their own home and doin what other people do. It's up to you to let her act as other people but there are support out there for her. So i think mainstream will be an great achievement for her future. I wish you all the best but don't think for you but for whats best for her, and it's not up to your mother. This is 2007 and alot has change for disabilities, disabilities has rights!!!!

Answer 10

My daughter is now 7 i should have started her in preschool she has add and a speech/mentality delay she is supposed to be in grade 2 but her functioning is at sk level ...The teacher feels she should have gone to sum kind of preschool ..if u or ur worker feel she is ready for preschool give it a go for a while see how she does..they r at a young age that they may not bully her but might get a close bond with her wich will help her function better ..I now am having difficulties with my daughter for that reason not letting her be a part of a nursery or anything similar..Best advice It doesnt hurt to try