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Mixed vs integrated vs traditional

mamantrainingmamantraining member
in Special Needs
I think the district may offer us a preschool placement for my DS with apraxia. He's a little behind in academic ( ie counting, colors etc too)
Today I went to look at a "mixed" class with kids who have various delays and disabilities. Problem is there's only 2 kids right now but apparently they will get more.
I also visited an integrated class with about 20 typical kids and 7 kids with IEPs. With that school my DS would need to take the bus one way which makes me nervous.
So now my head is spinning. Is a smaller class with no exposure to typical kids better than a larger class that is further away and would require busing? Or is it better to just do a private preschool and push for speech after school?
I know no one can answer all this for me, just looking for thoughts/ideas.
Also, at the IEP is placement somewhat flexible. Like if they recommend one and we feel the other is best?
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Re: Mixed vs integrated vs traditional

  • mamantrainingmamantraining member
    Thanks auntie for your reply. I forgot to mention the integrated class is in a not so great neighborhood. It's sort of a safety concern for me...I'm not sure why theres not one closer as we are in a large city. Is it possible to request a different option of an integrated school?
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  • mamantrainingmamantraining member
    Additionally, I overheard one of the TAs at the integrated school call the special needs kids "special". Is that grounds to ask for another option?
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  • mommytoconnormommytoconnor member
    I just started my son in early preschool.  There are 16 kids total, 5 with IEP and the rest typically developing.  I put him on the bus.  I was worried too, but these people have special training and the special needs busses have aids on them.  For my district there is never more than 3 kids on a bus with a driver and an aide. They pick up in front of my house drive him and drop him at his daycare after.  I really had reservations because he is developmentally delayed and speech delay an I was concerned too.  I even followed the bus the first day. They recommend it because it gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride and independence. They need to be among typically developing peers to be able to model after them.  My son loves the bus.  I wish I would send him ever day of the week as much as he loves it.  I would totally go for it and if it doesn't work out then so be it.
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  • mamantrainingmamantraining member
    Auntie you are right about the neighborhood. But maybe I could ask to see if there is something closer. It seems pretty far for a city this size.

    As far as the comment it was something along the lines of "well there are special kids out here right now"
    Maybe I'm being sensitive but that to me is not ok
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  • mamantrainingmamantraining member
    Mommytoconnor - the district doesn't provide aides for the bus, so it would just be the driver and the kids...
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  • lite-brightlite-bright member
    I would opt for the mix of NT and kids with SN. Which is what you find in most "typical" preschool and public school classrooms. My DD1 (ASD) started out in a class with a higher % of kids with IEPs that was led by a SpEd teacher, but also had a good mix of NT kids. She flourished, and the next year was able to go into a mainstream class -- the only real difference was that the # of kids with IEPs was slightly lower, and the teachers didn't have specific SpEd training so she received most of her supports from her therapists. Now she's in mainstream kindergarten. 

    I would not opt for a private preschool with no in-school supports for a child with delays, even with the bussing concern. The in-classroom services have been SO much more efficient & effective than one-on-one therapies, IMO, because they address real issues in the moment, with peers, where teachers have a solid understanding of the needs and can give a boost socially, encourage patience, etc. We still do private therapy, but I really don't think there's a good substitute for having a school environment with the right supports. 


    image

    DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
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