SNED – Special Needs Education
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about Craig’s school status. He is currently in Third Grade Mainstream, but still under SNED.
There are so many discussions around this topic, and honestly, I don’t always have the capacity to explain or give opinions. So for now, I’ll simply share our experience.
People would say, “Wow, ang galing-galing ni Craig, Grade 3 na!”
Me: hmmm hmmm hehe
— proud of course, but… not exactly in the way they think. 
In our world, this is a different kind of “promotion.” In public school settings—based on our experience—as long as a SNED learner can sit still and hold a pencil, they can already be placed in the Mainstream class.
But for SNED learners like Craig, being in Mainstream does not automatically reflect their academic level. (Of course, some SNED learners are geniuses. But Craig’s story is different.)
Here’s Craig’s current level:
1. Can he write? YES
2. Can he spell? Some 3-letter words
3. Can he read? Limited
4. Can he count? Yes — sometimes up to 50, sometimes only 20
5. Can he do addition? Uhm… maybe sometimes
And the list goes on.
We have limited resources — in every aspect. Therapies are costly. SPED teachers are few. Not all regular teachers have experience handling SNED learners. Classrooms are limited.
And the list goes on.
As an Ausome mom with limited resources too, we simply make do with what is available. It’s all about mindsets. I rarely complain about the limited accommodations in school because the ratio is around 1 SNED teacher to 35 learners on the spectrum — all with different needs.
But despite all these challenges, our 4 years in public school have been an Ausome experience. We’ve met friends. We’ve gained a community. It has given Craig so much exposure and socialization — not just for him, but for the whole family.
P.S. Shawtout sa Tropa
#dearcraig#autismawareness#autismjourney#autismacceptance#snedandmainstream
