My daughter has Asperger's Syndrome. She has been attending a mainstream school for the last 6 years, but it has not been working for her due to bad teaching and bullying. She was offered a trial placement at Sutherland Shire Montessori School, and we accepted it. However as independent schools receive little funding for children with special needs, she was not able to continue with the trial and was not offered a permanent place at the school. I am now wondering if I should have just kept her in the mainstream school. This experience has left her feeling very rejected and quite depressed. Last night she was talking about killing herself if we can't find a cure for her Asperger's, and today we found her looking up ways to commit suicide. I am home schooling her from now on as there is no other option, but she just wants to go back to Montessori. Have I made a huge mistake that will last her the rest of her life? I am feeling really bad about it and scared for her future.
2007-09-06 00:28:53 · 6 answers · asked by Michelle G 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
Before you worry anymore about school, you need to contact her pediatrician immediately and get a referral for mental health services/counseling for your daughter. She is clearly depressed and in a dangerous place. She is trying to find a way to kill herself and is not making any attempt to hide it..she is in real danger and you can not wait to get her help. If you can not get her into her doctor TODAY, take her to the nearest ER or call your areas suicide hotline to get immediate help.
Once she is emotionally stable you can deal with school. Unfortunately, it sounds as if the best placement for her was the Montessori. As she has clearly suffered from being removed, it should be clear to the public schools that they can not educate her appropriately...I would try to get them to place her back. Of course, that can take a lot of time. I would also contact the Montessori she attended to discuss tuition options. Some schools will have scholorships and finanial aide packages. If not, you can homeschool her using Montessori techniques, but keep in mind you will have to be aggressive to be sure she is socializing with her peers (a common issue for all homeschoolers, especially older kids). However, do not worry about that yet...her safety and emotional health is your primary worry now...get her seen today.
2007-09-06 01:40:39 · answer #1 · answered by Annie 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I think you just need to talk with her some more about this. Life is full of these types of let downs and she should know that somethings work out and others do not. The public school system in our community has so much to offer for special education with teams of specialists. I am very impressed. But my son is young still.
I suspect Aspergers in both my husband and child.
Does your county have other resources? Like mental health? Sometimes they offer help for PDD stuff.
Make sure you look up support groups for Aspergers and spectrum disorders in your area. She needs to meet an Aspie friend!!! Don't go it alone!!!
Also, I would reconsider segregating her from the other kids. She needs to know that she can make friends no matter what!
Funny, I jsut got off the phone with a Montessori pre-school. And they told me that Asperger kids do not like the Montessori enviroment, it's too chaotic. Maybe you could explain things fromthat point of view? Or try another Montessori....
2007-09-06 04:03:03 · answer #2 · answered by Me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She wants to go to Montessori? Then that's a good start. But I do agree that you need to address the depression.
Is the reason she cant continue at Montessori a financial one? Can you get your school district to pay for it? Can you work a deal with the Montessori school?
I would say Montessori is a good choice.(have 3 kids M.trained myself) due to the a) hands on learning b) calm, teachers- if truly Montessori trained c)positive atmosphere and children make decisions which are self directed. The 3 schools I have worked with all had classrooms which allowed free movement as opposed to rows of desks- all things I would think are making learning enjoyable.
2007-09-06 16:09:50 · answer #3 · answered by atheleticman_fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sutherland Shire Montessori School
2016-10-31 00:06:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I truly feel for you. My son graduated from public schools. He has seizures and now they think Aspergers as well as OCD.
I would never send her back to public schools they have scarred my son for life. He is basically a Hermit. Only talks with his siblings, myself and one cousin. He refuses to get a license, says they will probably take that away too. He has given up. If there is anyway that you can get your daughter into Montessori, The School of her dreams please do so. Also the Government is in the process of passing new laws that will enable funding for kids with Autism in any private school that will help them. Look into this. You might get the funding before I do in this One horse town I live in we are always behind the times here. Good Luck and God Bless you and your Daughter. PS You are a good parent, never loose sight of that.
2007-09-09 14:31:30 · answer #5 · answered by angela d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have gotten a lot of advice that is good. I just wanted to chime in and say I'll be thinking about your situation over then next few weeks. I hope it works out for the best soon.
2007-09-07 19:11:26 · answer #6 · answered by mattfromasia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋