I have posted here before, but it's been several months ago. I suspect that my DS10 has Asperger's, although we do not yet have a formal diagnosis. A friend who is a psychologist and who volunteers at DS school part time did a parental screening with me. She feels that he probably does have Asperger's and is helping guide me through the process of getting a diagnosis. We have been so blessed because DS has made 3 close friends during his years at school. I have always worried about him socially- before I had any idea about Asperger's- it has always been an issue. These 3 kids have similar interests, they accept his quirks, they are all in the gifted program together.....it's been such a relief to me that he has them. They are the only people he socializes with outside of school- in fact, he is going to camp with one of them for a week.
Here is my problem- we found out on the last day of school that DS has been placed in a different classroom next year from ANY of his friends. The 3 of them were placed together, and he is in a different room. I know that one of the other parents had specifically requested that her DD be in the same class with DS, because they are so close, and she was told that they would be together. One of the other kids' moms has offered to go with me to the school to try and talk to them about changing his placement. (She is the psychologist who did the informal screening with me...her son is one of my son's close friends). The day I found out about the room assignments (last Friday), I went straight to the school and spoke with his classroom teacher, who is responsible for placement, as well as his gifted teacher. I explained to them that I am very concerned about him being separated from all 3 of his close friends because he is somewhat socially awkward and has really bonded with these 3- they spend every lunch and recess together, etc. They were nice and receptive, but basically said that we will have to have an SAT meeting in August to make any decision. I did not tell them about my suspicion about Asperger's, but did relay my concerns about his social deficits. His classroom teacher said he gets along with everyone and she had no idea it was a concern- well, it hasn't been because he has had this close knit group as a support system. I tried calling yesterday to speak with the school counselor, as I would be comfortable sharing things with her that I did not want to share with the teachers yet. The counselor is gone for the year, so I guess I have to wait until August to address this.
Would classroom placement be considered an accommodation if he were diagnosed with Asperger's? I want to be prepared for this meeting in August, and it is really important to me that he gets to stay with his friends. More important than teacher fit, because he does well academically. This is his last year in elementary school and I want him to maintain these friendships before starting middle school. Any suggestions?
Here is my problem- we found out on the last day of school that DS has been placed in a different classroom next year from ANY of his friends. The 3 of them were placed together, and he is in a different room. I know that one of the other parents had specifically requested that her DD be in the same class with DS, because they are so close, and she was told that they would be together. One of the other kids' moms has offered to go with me to the school to try and talk to them about changing his placement. (She is the psychologist who did the informal screening with me...her son is one of my son's close friends). The day I found out about the room assignments (last Friday), I went straight to the school and spoke with his classroom teacher, who is responsible for placement, as well as his gifted teacher. I explained to them that I am very concerned about him being separated from all 3 of his close friends because he is somewhat socially awkward and has really bonded with these 3- they spend every lunch and recess together, etc. They were nice and receptive, but basically said that we will have to have an SAT meeting in August to make any decision. I did not tell them about my suspicion about Asperger's, but did relay my concerns about his social deficits. His classroom teacher said he gets along with everyone and she had no idea it was a concern- well, it hasn't been because he has had this close knit group as a support system. I tried calling yesterday to speak with the school counselor, as I would be comfortable sharing things with her that I did not want to share with the teachers yet. The counselor is gone for the year, so I guess I have to wait until August to address this.
Would classroom placement be considered an accommodation if he were diagnosed with Asperger's? I want to be prepared for this meeting in August, and it is really important to me that he gets to stay with his friends. More important than teacher fit, because he does well academically. This is his last year in elementary school and I want him to maintain these friendships before starting middle school. Any suggestions?