kindergarten question-cross-posted

[LibrarianMom]

Hello! I usually hang out on the after-schooling board as I work outside the home FT and after-school My ds will be 5 in February and has been evaluated as most likely aspie and maybe ADHD. He is currently in PS early childhood classes in the morning where he receiveds OT, PT, and speech, and attends an afternoon church-based pre-school where his teacher is a great lady whose opinion I deeply appreciate. It's going fairly well with some time-outs for behavioral issues but nothing too serious. His academic readiness skills are right on target although his fine-motor skills are improving. I know it's a year away, but I'm trying to figure out whether to send him to kindergarten or keep him out a year next fall. Part of me screams he knows his stuff why hold him back while the other half screams the extra year will help him to be a stronger student later. If he was a May or June birthday, I wouldn't think twice about holding him back. Thoughts or wisdom from the hive?

[Dobela]

I would seriously consider holding him out another year - as long as he will still qualify for the additional services. I know that some insurances/Medicaid won't pay if the child is not in the age appropriate grade after age 5. But I would also consider other issues. Is he big for his age or small for his age? Is the school prepared to make appropriate accomodations?

[chiguirre]

I didn't hold ds2 back until this year, but he's much better off being older than other kids so that his social issues aren't as obvious or debilitating. OTOH, our school district won't let you hold back a special needs child, even if they have an August bday (like my oldest). :glare: I really don't understand why the school district insists on this insanity since they're on the hook to educate my dss until they're 22 no matter what grade they're in.

If you're able to hold him back and have him do the PS PK again, I'd go that route even if he's ahead academically. The social issues are tough for spectrum kids and that extra year makes things much easier. If you can't hold him back in ps, could you put him in a private school and pay for his therapies and then put him in ps in K when he's 6 or will they force you to put him in 1st?