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What to Look for in a Public School for a Special Needs Child

6 March 2019 by Corey Warren

Special needs children are often integrated into traditional public schools and thrive among their peers. As a parent, you worry about your child getting access to the educational assistance and medical or psychological help they need in order to effectively socialize and learn in a public school setting, but maybe you don't want to limit your young one to special needs schools.

Here are things to look for when selecting a public school for your special needs child. When you select the right school, you have peace of mind knowing your child is getting an education while still getting the special attention and care they need.

Teacher/student ratio

Since your child is not like the neurotypical student, you want to make sure your young one has access to a classroom that has a low ratio of children to teachers. This way, even if there are no one-on-one resources available, your child will still get the additional attention they need. A smaller classroom size can also be less overwhelming for your child if they have social or learning issues.

Available therapies

What often happens in a school where special needs students are educated in a public setting is this: children are placed in a traditional classroom but given an aide to help them get through their studies and transition from task to task. Students are also taken out of class periodically for speech, behavior, and other therapies. Make sure any public school you are considering offers therapies your child can take advantage of.

Communication

You want a school where you can communicate with teachers, principals, and other authorities easily. Are teachers available by phone, email, or text? Are there apps used by the school where teachers can talk to parents on a one-on-one basis easily? Are you able to reach a superior at the school with ease or are you left leaving messages and hoping for calls back?

Choose a school where the teachers are easy to get a hold of through various resources. This way, if your child were to have a problem at school or if you were to have any questions about anything, you could reach a teacher right away.

You want your special needs child to have the same access to education and friends as all other students. Choosing the right school will help you achieve this goal. If you send your child to public school, know there are many options available to you.

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