It goes without saying that parents want the best for their children. For some parents, finding “the best” takes a bit more time and effort than for others.
Parents who have children with autism may constantly be caught in between a rock and a hard place when it comes to finding the right school. Local public or private schools may not have adequate resources and finding a school that deals primarily in autism may be uncharted territory.
It’s natural for us to build on our past experiences and many parents may not have any past experience when it comes to a school for autism.
What should be on your pre-decision checklist? What kinds of things should you be looking for? What things make a great school for autism?
Let’s dive in.
The Student to Teacher Ratio
Starting out with one of the obvious things to look for, having a small student-to-teacher ratio is reassuring in knowing that your child will be able to get the attention they need.
Whereas many public or private schools will have classroom sizes ranging from 25-35 students per class, here at PS Academy we know the importance of small class sizes. We know that every student deserves to be heard and have their questions and inquiries answered.
A Specialized Staff
Many parents from public or private schools mention that they feel their child isn’t thriving because the school does not have the resources to accommodate needs. Many times, this falls in the lap of the school’s staff.
That is no fault of the school itself, but many children with autism need support from those trained in the area.
That goes beyond teachers in the classroom, as many schools have support staff to assist during class or help students with other areas.
Extracurricular Activities
While we’re not going to downplay the importance of good grades, we know that the outside world is much more than just A’s and B’s. That’s why it’s important to make sure your child is developing socially alongside their academic life.
When looking at schools, ask about their clubs and other activities they have outside of the classroom. Are these clubs and activities giving students the chance to shine outside of the classroom? What other skills are they learning?
We are a firm believer that clubs help shape a student just as much, if not more, than their academic progress.
Various Programs
In a traditional public school, there is essentially one program that every student must follow. Each student essentially follows the same path from the early years until graduation.
Students with autism may have various abilities or learning styles, which is why it’s important that a school for autism has unique programs suited for their students.
It’s important to recognize that students with autism have various needs which is why multiple programs are important. For example, at PS Academy we have programs ranging from preparing students for vocational work to those who aspire to attend college.
Having a wide range of programs provides plenty of options for parents and a place for students to thrive.
Resources for Parents
We’re talking so much about the students (rightfully so), but we need to talk about the people behind it all. We’re talking to you, mom and dad!
At larger public schools, parents can often get lost in the crowd and not receive the specific attention that they may like.
When looking for a school, you should look for one that is willing to collaborate with you on things you are working on with your student at home or in private therapies.
At PS Academy, we offer various services for parents and families. For example, we want to help make sure everyone gets to school on time which is why we can help with transportation. We also offer respite and rehabilitation services to help out at home.
Acceptance and Awareness
We’ll end with an obvious point as well, but every school should be upfront in their acceptance and awareness of autism.
Our motto is to “See Past the Label. Focus on the Able” which is why we group students by their ability and not age. We know that every student is different and their experiences unique, which means that students need to be seen for who they are and what they can accomplish in their lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about PS Academy, get in contact with us today to schedule a tour. We can’t wait to meet you!