First day of school....

[hutch]

Thanks. Agree.

Middle school is the worst. Middle school for kids on the autism spectrum- even relatively high functioning - may be impossible. We will see..

How do kids who are not neurotypical have any hopes of “fitting in”? They don’t want to fit in. They want to be the kids they are…which is weird and “inappropriate “… You see the kids walking around in packs all trying to be the same and blend in…. I fear it’s  a nonstarter for kids like mine. Sometimes I wonder if we are getting it wrong trying to mainstream our kids. But what are the options? Place kids with other non neurotypical kids? How would that work? I got to say I am pretty deflated…it feels like I been pushing this rock up a hill for a while and it’s not getting lighter

Anyways I appreciate this board and music helping me retain my limited sanity. Thanks

[Dejecty-hatch lııllı|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

Middle school is just the worst, man.

facts!

Mainstream vs not seems like a tough choice.  Getting used to the real world (as that's not changing to accommodate them) is a hard road, I would reach out to other neurotypical kids, parents or advisors you work with, and see what worked for them.   Everyone has their own limitations, so one size definitely doesn't fit all. 

What about activities/clubs, that sometimes can help find 'like-minded' friends? Often you can work independently in the group, so not have to mingle constantly.
They have robotics, film, chess, D&D, Model UN, art and many others.   not sure that's going to solve all the problems, but might find something that get's him engaged and psyched to go to school



There are also some private schools that might fit the bill like https://thesycamoreschoolva.org/
but $$$$


Middle school kids are the absolute worst. That's pretty universal

[Yada]

Sorry to hear hutch... I'm a basket case and my kids haven't even scratched the school surface yet.

[grateful]

Yeesh. My youngest just turned 19...I think I survived with only a few scrapes and gouges.

[hutch]

Middle school is just the worst, man.

facts!

Mainstream vs not seems like a tough choice.  Getting used to the real world (as that's not changing to accommodate them) is a hard road, I would reach out to other neurotypical kids, parents or advisors you work with, and see what worked for them.   Everyone has their own limitations, so one size definitely doesn't fit all. 

What about activities/clubs, that sometimes can help find 'like-minded' friends? Often you can work independently in the group, so not have to mingle constantly.
They have robotics, film, chess, D&D, Model UN, art and many others.   not sure that's going to solve all the problems, but might find something that get's him engaged and psyched to go to school



There are also some private schools that might fit the bill like https://thesycamoreschoolva.org/
but $$$$


Middle school kids are the absolute worst. That's pretty universal

Obviously many of the things you suggest we have tried

We have paid for many many social groups for many many years.

If we had to do private school we would have to sell our house and move. We live in a place with supposedly decent schools.

Not really asking for solutions as nobody really has any. We work with specialists, etc. I been taking them to see people for more than ten years.

[hutch]

Anyways I don’t want to talk about it


They never teach you that some people aren’t meant to procreate.

[bearman🐻]

I hope things to smoothly.  Middle school is just the worst, man.

Been binging old episodes of Degrassi Junior High from the 80's...I was pretty much the same age as them when it came out. I was SO addicted to that show. It really does bring back a lot of memories of how freakin' stressful it was to be that age.