Autistic child not able to be in school what to do?

I have a 5 year old High functioning autistic son. He was DX Pdd-nos when he was 2. He also was DX'd With a separation Disorder. I have been taking him to speech class and therapy for a while. We just got him enrolled in young 5's. However, I cannot leave this little boy. We have been trying for years. If I leave him in a class room, He will " shut down" he will not speak, he will not eat, he will not do work, he will not use the bathroom, Nothing. I have stayed with him for a few weeks, tried leaving and it always happenes. I cannot continue to stay in his classes with him for the rest of his life. What do I do? We tried once for a whole week and he ended up in the hospital because he would not eat or drink, and he would not use the BATHROOM. He was severely dehydrated and had a UTI from holding his urine so long. I have tried everything I can think of, They wont put him in special ed, and we even tried that once and it was the same thing. Plus he was bored because he is way more advanced then even the average 5 year old. Any suggestions?Autistic child not able to be in school what to do?
Do what you feel is right.



One of my extra needs Children actually goes to school by himself. His twin is with him, as he is comfortable with him, and his class is actually in another room.

We have a teacher for him, and she is wonderful. She came to our house, and we've worked with her here (being his safe haven) and she organised his own room at school, and has been wonderful with him.

He is not ready to move into the class yet, but he isn't going backwards.



We did put him straight into school, and he just couldn't handle it. He flipped out, and was too overwhelmed.

That was probably our best plan for his needs.



Our Eldest has excelled with just a personal Aide with him. He also has had private tutorials.
i'd be taking this question as a first resort to the school teachers, school counselor, pediatrician, and possibly a child psychiatrist to get some advice from all of them and suggestions for ideas that might work.



perhaps you could find a transitional person who could take your place in making him comfortable at school? a good friend in the classroom? or invite the teacher out to lunch or over to your house once or twice so he felt that kind of connection with her?



where we live there are some area kindergartens or preschools for that age group (depending on where his birthday falls) that have half-day classes. if you give him a big breakfast and have him use the bathroom before he goes, he can surely go a half day even if he's not ready to eat or use the bathroom. and hopefully by the time he's older he won't need that level of support (or you could simply stop by at lunchtime for 15 minutes, as a transition from being there all day?)



of course it's also an option to homeschool, though i'd also look into whether he is eligible for at least some short in-school help or help at home because of the special needs issues.



if he speaks fine outside of school you might look up www.selectivemutism.org -- i realize it may not be selective mutism per se but something related to his other issues, but you may find suggestions for selectively mute kids that would be helpful to try with him.Autistic child not able to be in school what to do?
Many 5 year olds, especially boys, are not ready for formal schooling at five-whether they have autism or another disease/disorder or not. I would suggest withdrawing him and waiting until he is mature/more able.



Second, FIGHT for an IEP when you reenroll him, or if you leave him be. Push for a personal assistant (read more about this below) and have that assistant get to know him in his home environment, and then it might be an easier transition for your son.



The assistant will make sure that all of your son's needs are met, and make sure that other students are not disrupted by the teacher having to take special care of your son. It would actually be best for him to be in a special needs classroom, as the school is doing ALL students (your son and the others) a disservice by mainstreaming him if he can not adapt.



Homeschooling IS an option. I homeschool my children. None of them are special needs, but there are many homeschoolers that do have special needs, including Autism. If you would like more information, contact me via my profile and/or visit the homeschooling category here at Yahoo! Answers, under Education %26amp; Reference.



I hope this helps, and wish you the best.
My heart really goes out to you and i symphatise with the situation you find your self in. Have you tried to going away for a few mangeable hours at a time instead of a whole day at a time. You need to wean yourself off and let the school try and manage handling him for a few hours at a time say two, then three untill he can manage more hours as there is a possibility you can burn out. If you were down because you needed hospital treatment how would your son cope. With this behind your mind try and manage the shut downs by detaching yourself for little hours at a time and build up. The school needs to be more involved and he probably needs a special helper. However from their point of view i can see why it is easier to have you there.Autistic child not able to be in school what to do?
Talk to your doctor and see if he can offer any advice.
You have the right to special ed for a child with autism,I know I have a son with it myself.Demand that he get in,do not take no for an answer.He has the right to an education geared for his needs.