Has Your Child Been in a "Structured Classroom?"

Updated on December 14, 2015
G.♣. asks from Springfield, IL
8 answers

My 6 year old has Asperger's and has really struggled at school. The school has recommended he be placed in a "Structured Classroom." I'm wondering if anyone has had a child placed in a "Structured Classroom."

What was it like? How did your child do? Was it a good experience?

My baby is really struggling. I'm going to be learning as much as I can over the next few weeks (which is going to be a bit of a challenge with the holiday break coming up), but I'm overwhelmed. I just want to meet his needs. I just wish I knew what they were!

ETA - My son is in first grade, and he has had an IEP for about a year. His struggles are all behavioral. We have been told repeatedly that he is very intelligent and that he is academically on at or above the level he should be.

He did have an aide during parts of his day in kindergarten. This year he has not had an aide, but he has had time in the resource room. Recently that time was drastically increased, and his behavior has gotten worse. The school is now recommending we switch to a different school that has a structured classroom, as our school does not. They have tried using breaks, but they are breaks from academic work, not sensory breaks. His OT therapist believes he needs sensory breaks, not isolation from his classmates.

The thing is, I don't even understand what that means! I don't know what a structured classroom is, and I am not loving the idea of my son switching schools. But I don't think the school is at all meeting his needs.

One thing I struggle with is that it seems as though my son has them all perplexed ... as if they have never before encountered a child with his needs and his behavior issues. Is he really that unique? Or is it just that his behaviors are extreme, and his needs are greater than they can handle? Are they perplexed, or are they just saying they don't have the resources?

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

It actually might be very beneficial to switch schools. They are often so much better for a child in this situation. Structured classrooms are probably small, and they get all sorts of attention. I would guess too that your school might simply not have financial resources or funding to pay good people skilled in these areas and another might have funding from programs or government. You can try it. It simply sounds like a suggestion and not a demand.

4 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

My 16 yo dtr has Asperger's and ADD. We had her diagnosed in about 2nd grade for the ADD and about 5th for the ASD. My son has ADHD and is 13. He was diagnosed about 5th grade also. Both of them have IEP's in school, does your son?

Neither of my kids have been in a "structured" classroom but both have left for "resource" which is a class that helps them one on one with what they are struggling with...both are math and my son needs extra help with reading comp. They also have some adjustments to the amount of work they complete but generally are in the same classes as the "typical" kids.

I know this can be overwhelming but usually these kids have a "team" to help them. Have you met with the teacher and the special ed staff and the school psych? They all should be familiar with your sons strengths and weaknesses and be able to guide you to what will help him the most. ASD issues are much bigger than not being able to sit still and/or follow directions. My daughter doesn't have a problem with either of those things actually. The point is, the school staff is VERY familiar with kids that have some learning challenges and should be able to direct you appropriately. They too want what's best for him and will do what they can to help him the most. So maybe start there, with the spec ed staff at school. Good luck.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Portland on

I don't have a child with Asperger's, but my friend is familiar with Structured classrooms. She lives in a different area but they offer them there.

The way she describes it is that it is a very supportive environment for kids who have behavioral concerns that interfere with learning in a typical classroom. So they focus on how to manage emotions and behaviors that get in the way of learning, I believe with the goal to integrate the kids back into typical classrooms.

We don't have that at our school but we have a Learning Center for the kids who have behavioral/emotional challenges (so kids spend half the day there), and our Resource Center/Room is more for kids who struggle academically.

I would look into it - best thing you can probably do is just get as much information as you can and go with a list of questions. Arrange a meeting and speak to the people in the know.

It must be difficult navigating all this without truly understanding what he needs and what's offered out there. I would imagine changing schools would be hard, we've done it and our kids did adjust. If what they offer will make his experience more positive overall, it's just worth looking into. Good Luck :)

3 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I'm not minimizing your son's issues but lots of typical kids have issues sitting still, following directions and getting used to a classroom environment etc. If the structured classroom has other high functioning kids like your son then I would consider it but if the classroom had non verbal kids and kids with IQ's below 80 then I would not place a child with an asperger's diagnosis in that classroom.

3 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

no, but i've heard about them and think i have a basic understanding of how they work.
'open' classrooms were all the rage for a while. that was how it was when my older was in middle school, which was indeed a while back. but the premise was that the open environment would be more interesting, more stimulating, and would model more closely the average 'real life' work environment.
i'm sure their hearts were in the right place.
but for many kids, and certainly most of the aspies i've met over the years, too much wide-open 'stimulation' is simply too much distraction. a structured classroom, ie one that doesn't have lots of bright fooferalls everywhere and lots of 'stations' will help an aspie hone his strength- and most of them have a ferocious degree of focus when allowed to, don't they? if a kid on the spectrum is having repeated meltdowns it's often due to too much stimulation and not being allowed to focus that gimlet glare on what it is they're interested in.
i don't think it's about isolation. it's exactly what your therapist says, it's a respite from sensory overload.
i think it's great that the school is working hard to meet your son's needs. at the very least i'd give their recommendation a shot. and talk to them! i'm sure they'd be happy to explain their rationale behind their recommendation.
khairete
S.

2 moms found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Since he has an IEP they should be addressing these issues as part of that written plan. He needs breaks, an aid that is trained in special kids needs, that aid would be able to take him out of class and put him in a time away situation where he can calm down. The school should also supply this space. It could be an old office in the main office area, a closet they don't have chemicals stored in where they can bring in some pillows, stuffed animals, items he finds comforting, and with lights that are adjustable. This way he can take time out when needed and be supervised.

If you are considering the structured classroom please go and observe it several days randomly. That way you can see them in action in a variety of situations.

But one thing I will mention. He's going to think of this as punishment. He's going to feel bad about the move and he'll miss his friends terribly. If he isn't happy in his classroom otherwise it might be a good move for him.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I do not have a child that was in a "structured classroom" however, I used to work in a school district, in an ASD program for children 3-7 years old. If your son is struggling in his class, it may be beneficial for him to go into a structured room to work on coping skills, sensory, group work, getting support for his regular ed. class,etc. However, I agree with J.C.-some school districts, many have had to combine C.I., E.I. ASD etc. and depending on the room dynamics, it could be very beneficial or not. A couple of questions I would be asking, why aren't his needs being met in regular class (no plan/breaks, no classroom aide, son just has too many needs at this time?) and what is the plan and goals for your son going to be in the structured class and steps to get him back into regular class? The students I used to work with-going into regular ed. was a progression to be full time. Hang in there G.! I am hopeful this is the right setting for your son.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't think they are perplexed or saying they don't have the resources. I think they are saying it would be easier for them if he moved to another school. don't let them off the hook; if he had an aide in kindergarten, he should have one in 1st grade unless his IEP has changed. They are looking for the easy way out for them which is typical. The longer he's in school, the more you will see and believe that.

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