What are the qualities of a Mainstream school that a Developmental Pediatrician recommends for my Child with Special Needs:

It took us a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the changes and the major adjustments that we might undergo when my child's Developmental Pediatrician advised us to transfer my child with special needs from Special Education to Mainstream School.

My son was diagnosed with GDD (Global Developmental Delay) as early as 1 year old. We underwent Occupational and Speech Therapy sessions since he was only 18 months.

At four years old, I started sending him to SpEd (Special Education) and have his regular assessment with his DevPed (Developmental Pediatrician) every six months while still attending his Occupational and Speech Therapy.

After two years in SpEd, his DevPed advised us to transfer him to a Mainstream school provided with the following conditions:

-SMALL STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO. Meaning, we have to find a school which has no more than 10 pupils in a class so that the teacher can attend to his needs and he will be more guided compared to a class with many students. Less pupil, more time, extended guidance.

-YOUNG TEACHER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. It might sounds funny for some but I see the Doctor's point of view. The "young" teachers, rather the "modern" teachers may have the extra patience and endurance dealing with the children with special needs maybe because they are unlikely to have hypertension and has more energy that teaching a special kid requires. Others may see it as stereotypical, but I say it is still a case to case basis.

-LOOK FOR A CHILD FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. I know it doesn't apply for special kids alone. It should be one of the qualities that every parent must have to look in a school where we would entrust our children with.

-LOOK FOR COMPASSIONATE/CARING SCHOOL ADMIN/STAFF. I think this is the most important "must have" when looking for a mainstream school for your child with special needs. It is hard for a parent to find people who would genuinely care for our kids even without us looking. Especially if you have a child with special needs, the worries and fear would always be there. As I always say, not everyone around us has the sincere compassion and sympathy for children with special needs. It is really important for us to find teachers and school staff that would accept our child's shortcomings and care for them whole-heartedly. But of course it is not easy to tell within the first quarter of a school year.

I am really hoping and praying that I found the right ones. :)

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