How to Pick a School for a Down Syndrome Child

Selecting a school for a child with Down Syndrome isn't as difficult as it used to be. Public school districts are required to provide an education to students with disabilities, but you may find that your child is happier or more suited to a specialized academic setting. Follow these steps to choose the right school for your Down Syndrome child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Ask whether your public school district provides an inclusive program to students with disabilities, as this is generally accepted as the best approach for most Down Syndrome kids. Inclusive programs educate all students in the same setting with periodic specialty services such as speech, physical or occupational therapy provided as necessary for students with disabilities. It's different from the more archaic "mainstreaming" where students with disabilities were taught primarily in a classroom with other students with disabilities, only coming together with other kids for non-academic subjects like art and P.E.
2. Tour one or two private schools and compare their facilities and services to those of the public schools, factoring in the cost of tuition. Consider what opportunities your child will have to interact with non-disabled kids if he attends specialized school, and likewise, where he'll be able to make friends who have disabilities if he attends an inclusive public school.
3. Find out what transition support services the schools offer. If they're not willing to help with secondary school transitions and college or job placement after graduation, ask if they can refer you to another service.
4. Assess your child's academic needs. You know your child better than anyone, and ultimately it's up to you to select your child's educational setting. Try to determine at which school your child will be most comfortable; that's where she'll get the best education.