| It's difficult for any parent to get used to the idea of | | | | Another advantage over day schools, whether public |
| sending their children away to school, and perhaps | | | | of private, is the living aspect. Although the students |
| even harder for parents of special needs children, such | | | | who attend these schools are greatly supervised, they |
| as those who suffer from autism, to do so. Is your | | | | learn living skills that they will need in an adult world. |
| child getting a good education? Are other children | | | | Whereas you may feel obligated or want to do things |
| treating him or her fairly? Will your child enjoy this new | | | | for your child at home, at a residential school, your child |
| situation? Many schools are now set in place to put | | | | will be encouraged to live more independently. At |
| these fears to rest by solely devoting their attention | | | | Brehm Preparatory School in Illinois, students learn time |
| towards special needs children, and the concept of | | | | and money management and are in charge of simple |
| sending an autistic child to residential school for autistic | | | | home maintenance (chores), study time, and |
| children instead of a day school program is becoming | | | | recreational activities. Here also, the emphasis is on |
| more popular among parents. Although it may be | | | | family. |
| difficult to adjust to your child living away from home, | | | | Family is an important thing to consider with any type |
| this may be where the best care and education is | | | | of residential school. While your child is learning valuable |
| available for you child, so carefully consider the | | | | social skills, he or she may become more distant from |
| advantages before dismissing the idea of residential | | | | his or her immediate family. At schools like Brehm, |
| school for your autistic child. | | | | including Hampshire Country School in New Hampshire, |
| Residential school programs are often no different | | | | have parents' weekend often to so parents can visit |
| than day school programs, but here the student has | | | | their children. Consider also the stress this may relieve |
| the opportunity to interact with others outside of a | | | | for you and your family. Since you will need to spend |
| classroom setting. This is sometimes exactly what an | | | | less time helping your autistic child with learning |
| autistic child needs to learn socialization skills with | | | | everyday life skills, you can devote more time to |
| people outside of the family. | | | | enjoying their company when you see them. Spend |
| These schools are also very safe and organized in a | | | | time on your marriage and with your other children, |
| way that is conducive to learning. For example, Franklin | | | | activities that would normally be hard to achieve or |
| Academy in Connecticut, which specializes in teaching | | | | ignored with an autistic child at home. |
| non-verbal students, has a three to one student to | | | | However, it is important to note that residential |
| teacher ratio and an average class size of six | | | | schooling is not for everyone. Typically, your child |
| students. They also plan small-group field trips to public | | | | needs to be high functioning to handle this school |
| places, so your child has an opportunity to interact in | | | | atmosphere. You will need to consider cost, since |
| public places. | | | | tuition , room, and board for residential schools can be |
| This is as opposed to day schools, which typically | | | | quite expensive. Remember, residential school is not |
| have larger class sizes and therefore cannot handle | | | | for everyone, but you should definitely consider the |
| public outings. Even if the day school specializes in | | | | option. Research this type of program so that you can |
| teaching autistic children, they simply may not have the | | | | make the best decisions possible for your child's |
| resources and time during the school day for field trips. | | | | education. |