How to find the right kindergarten for your child with autism.

A good education foundation is essential if a child is to succeed in their school life, and there are so many different factors that have to be considered when looking for a school for your child. When my husband and our two boys returned to Kenya in December 2019 after four years in Cambodia, we thought it would be easy to get a good school to take our oldest son Zeezol. However, after visiting and enquiring about ten different schools to date, we came to see just how difficult it is to find a school that would accept our son and be willing to make accommodations for him due to his learning support needs. Zeezol was diagnosed with autism at the age of three years old.

My mum and I have this long-standing joke that Zeezol has gone to a “group of schools”. Here in Kenya, most people use this term to refer to an affluent school. However, this is not why we say it; we say this because Zeezol has already attended more than three different schools at just five years old. He has been at his current school for the whole term, and we sincerely hope that we will not have to change again until he finally graduates from kindergarten.

I know it sounds outrageous, but please believe me that looking for the right kindergarten for any child is quite hard. However, looking for a school for a child with autism or any other special needs diagnosis, that’s a whole different ball game. My husband and I made so many mistakes, but we have finally understood the importance of due diligence when looking for a school.

This list of how to find the right school for your child with autism came about after speaking with teachers, therapists and learning from our own experience. While I understand that our children and their needs are different, I also know firsthand how difficult it is to look for a school without a point of reference. Our children may be ready for school, but are schools ready for our children?

Do prepare a list of schools to visit. You can get this information regarding schools from other parents, teachers, therapists, friends, or family. Find out what you can about them and prepare a shortlist of where to go first based on your preference.

Do visit the shortlisted schools personally and take your child- bonus points if the school is in session. In-person visits help you see how your child responds to the environment and how the school will respond to your child. By visiting the school, you will be able to feel how the learning environment is.

Enquire about the total cost. It would be good to know in advance if you can afford the school, especially if the child is already going through various therapies.

Do enquire if they accept children with special needs. I find it necessary always to disclose my child’s diagnosis when looking for a school. Here, I do not mean openly sharing confidential medical reports to anyone who asks but simply informing them that my child has autism and may or may not need special accommodations. Some schools are forthright, and they will tell you that they do not accept children with disabilities, which is also acceptable. You can continue the search until you get a school that will take them on from earning an honest answer. Failing to disclose the child’s diagnosis may bring about problems later when the school cannot accommodate your child’s needs.

Be sure to meet the person in charge, like the principal or school manager or any decision-making authority in the school. It would be easier to explain to them personally what your requests are and get a direct answer than going through proxies only for the information to get distorted. If possible, also ask to meet the prospective class teacher if you are accepted. They will know what to expect and what accommodations to make. Try as much as possible to build a rapport with them.

Do check if the class has a structured timetable and ask to see the current one. It is essential to know what your child is going to be learning at school. It would also assist you at home in understanding how to help prepare them for what to expect on various days.

Prepare a list of questions to ask the person in charge. The answers to these questions should be enough to help you decide whether to take your child there. Have a sequence of asking these questions so it doesn’t appear like an interview (even though it is); let them flow within the conversation. A few examples of good questions to ask are:

· How many students are in a class, and how many teachers?

· Do they allow for a shadow teacher if your child’s assessment recommended one?

· Do they have other special needs students in the class or school, and how are they supported?

· Do they have teachers trained in special needs education?

· Do they assist in potty training children if your child is not potty trained?

· Is there a medical person or special needs specialist on-site?

· How do they manage challenging behaviour or discipline issues?

· Who would be the contact person, and how do they communicate?

· What is the teaching curriculum? CBC, Montessori, British curriculum, Waldorf or others.

· Do they have provisions for an individual learning plan for children needing learning support?

· Do they provide food, and do they have provisions for children with special diets?

· What extracurricular activities do they have? What happens during events like swimming or field trips? How many teachers are with the students?

· Do they put all the students in one class or separate the children with special needs?

· How will you be informed of the child’s progress? If your child is non-verbal and does not have a shadow teacher, there would be no other way of knowing how they are doing at school. School diary is not sufficient from my experience.

Do they wear a uniform, and would they allow you to make small changes to help your child be comfortable? Special accommodations for uniforms is crucial for children with sensory sensitivities

In the case of children undergoing ABA therapy, will the school allow your child’s BCBA to conduct supervision at the school?

· Do they offer school transport, and what is the drop-off and pick up time?

Do prepare your child for school. Keep having that conversation with them, adjust their sleeping routine, have them try on the whole uniform down to the shoes and socks and school bag so they can get the feel of it. Help them practice carrying their bag and wearing their mask.

We all want what is best for our children. Some schools are accepting, and others are not. Here in Kenya, we have a long way to go before schools understand the importance of accommodations for our differently-abled children. They deserve to have a good education in the right environment. I know it may be slightly easier once his younger brother Boobear-who is neurotypical joins kindergarten. For him, the questions to ask may be slightly different. I know primary school is a whole other ball game for Zeezol, but we shall cross that bridge when we get there. For now, we are enjoying him settling down, a group of schools later.

What has been your experience when looking for schools? I would love to read them in the comments.