Update on Pop and School Situation

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I have two threads about my son's school issues. That's the backstory.
I thought it would be helpful to include the (hopefully) conclusion to the story.
(Recap)Pop is now 7 and in 1st grade. He was in a school here in Tucson that wouldn't accomdate him, though they claimed they were. He was getting kicked out of his regular class for discipline problems, etc and becoming a little monster at home. I pulled him out on Halloween and homeschooled him for a quarter.

So,
the district was upset that I was homeschooling him and wanted to talk more. We had asked them for advice for a more "tolerant" school (with better resources). At first, they promised information, then they reneged. Finally, they offered a school with an "autism clinic". My husband went in and found out that the teachers at this school would place Pop in the regular class as he can handle it, but offer their special ed services unconditionally. He'd be a "special ed" student but able to be "mainstreamed". Wary of this because it can be used to keep a child from a regular room, we decided we'd try it but pull him out at the least hint of a problem.
When I went in to finalize the paperwork, the teacher stated that he'd be put in First grade room on the first day and, depending on progress, have the aide weaned off of him.
We were amazed. Dumbfounded.
He gets the best of both worlds, the encouragement and wisdom of the special ed room, teachers and aides AND the same from the first grade class. His first grade teacher is used to autistic kids and has the patience to take my son into her fold.
He is not an outsider.
We can't believe the difference. He's matured and is communicating a lot better. He's grown into a little buddy.

The aide has been weaned off and he is able to stay in the room for hours at a time without special assistance. He does get preventative breaks, "walks", and the incentive program via the special ed room (tickets for good behavior). He is able to handle classroom consequences without tantrums or yelling (staying in during recess to finish work).
So, there are some good eggs out there. We're hoping this will work for a while.

{I don't normally post in the Parent's forum (becuase I'm not one) but saw your thread listed on the W.P. homepage and thought I'd respond... }

glad things worked out !

Yeah, we're stoked and scared all the same. The computer is dead and so I'm unable to hang out here. Else I would have posted a lot sooner.
I think it's important to boast of the successes that are made and to give hope to the people who are dealing with "impossible" situations.
I really thought I'd be homeschooling my son forever. I didn't think this school system had anything to offer.
The secret is to hold out until they give.

oh i am so glad to read this. i just got back from sons school where they told me its time for mainstream. i know he is smart enough but am afraid the change and larger class size is going to cause the behavior p[roblems i seee but they swear they dont see..... hopefully they will do the same as what ur sayin as far as allowing ese teacher to work with him as well as his main teacher... they seem to think i dont have a clue about my child and he is just seeking attention at home and that he will b just fine i hope so i dont think im bright enough to home school him and think it would hurt worse than help... i dont want to hold him back when i know he is brilliant

rae-rae, don't let the "professionals" influence your self-confidence so much. How your child acts at home and at school are probably totally different. A lot of us have to deal with the dismissiveness of professsionals, "friends", and family. Really, I knew of nurses that thought my son just needed a good spanking.
Autistic people react differently in different situations and often in contradiction of how NTs react to what is stressful to them. For instance, NT kids will run amok in child-friendly places like pizza parlors or movie theatres. My son's halo shines in those places. But is more argumentative when I'm angry/stressed or if someone he's comfortable with is talking loudly. Usually an NT would stiffen up and be quiet if their parents scold or shout.

It's just common sense to be apprehensive about a class change.

thank you for that... I cannot seem to get through my head that he does act different in different places... and with different people.... i am learning slowly....