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Struggling to find a school for my 11-year-old son with autism and ADHD: What are my options?

Dr Shakeeb Ahmed

Dr Shakeeb Ahmed Khan  |162 Answers  |Ask -

Physiotherapist - Answered on Mar 22, 2025

Dr Shakeeb Ahmed Khan is a senior consultant physiotherapist with over 12 years of experience specialising in orthopaedic and paediatric physiotherapy.
He has served as a technical consultant for the World Health Organisation, the United Nations, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and several national and international NGOs.
Besides physiotherapy, he is keenly interested in disability management, early intervention, geriatric care and assisting children with disabilities.
Dr Khan has a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy from the Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College in Wardha, Maharashtra, a master's degree in disability rehabilitation administration from the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad, and a PhD in disability management from Bangalore University.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 03, 2025Hindi
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We are couple with 1 child. However, struggling with schools for my 11 year old who has autism, can talk and severe adhd. Schools are saying that they cannot enrol him yet due to behaviour and the fact that he wont listen to anyone and behave badly. He is smart in academics but likes to do things as he wishes creating issues. he struggles with peer communication and sitting in one place and will slouch and fall from the chair. Are there any options that we can look at. As his IQ is normal we feel he will struggle in a special school as well.

Ans: I understand how difficult and frustrating this situation must be for you as parents. Your child is bright and capable, but his challenges with behavior, attention, and sitting still are making school enrollment tough. Finding the right environment that supports both his academic strengths and his needs is essential. Inclusive schools with special education support or Montessori-style learning environments may offer a more flexible and understanding approach. Occupational therapy can help increase his sitting tolerance, posture, and focus, while behavioral therapy can support emotional regulation and social interactions. You might also consider discussing the option of a shadow teacher with school staff, as one-on-one assistance in a classroom can make a big difference. In case you don't get access to an occupational therapist, approach a physiotherapist with an understanding of Sensory Integration, as they can also help with improving his body awareness and tolerance for sitting. You are not alone in this journey, and with the right support, your child can thrive. I encourage you to connect with a special educator or developmental therapist to explore the best options for him. I request you to be strong and determined. for your son.
DISCLAIMER: The answer provided by rediffGURUS is for informational and general awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.
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Ashwini

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My son is of 19 years old, is mildly autistic, has a bit slow comprehension of instructions given to him. lives in his own world , and left schooling due to bad academic grasp. very docile in nature. Can u advise on any life grooming path/procedure for him...
Ans: Dear Dipentu,

Thank you for writing in

Few aspects to look at
Identify your son's strengths and weaknesses and encourage him to explore that aligns with his abilities and interests
Life skill development and prioritizing on life skills like self-care- money management, learning to write his name and signature, organizing his room, etc. This will make him independent as he grows older.
Social skills development can opt for group activities/ therapy, and encourage him to take part in social activities, where he gets an opportunity to interact with others.
Have a personalized education plan -look for professionals who can tailor the education to his unique needs and goals.
Therapeutic Support- Consider enrolling your son in therapy or counseling with the experts to address any emotional, behavioral, or social challenges if any. Such therapy sessions help the individual in building self-confidence, coping skills, and resilience.
Have a fixed, structured, and supportive environment- Provide clear instructions, visual supports, and consistent routines to help your son navigate daily tasks and responsibilities. Plan the discipline around him. Have a schedule and tell him what he needs to follow. For example- Keep a watch in front of him with a timer and alarm and tell him you will do this X activity until the alarm rings. Give direct instructions to him. To say in big or multiple sentences. For example- Come Here, Sit here, Do this, etc.
Exercises- there are certain exercises you can make him do that will help him to do better. You can find these exercises on Youtube or look for professional experts.
Importantly be patient, supportive, persistent, and positive in guiding him and making him a confident individual.

Hope this helps.
To Your Success
Thanks and Regards
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded. Is it a Skill or Attitude?

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Dr Shakeeb Ahmed

Dr Shakeeb Ahmed Khan  |162 Answers  |Ask -

Physiotherapist - Answered on Aug 06, 2024

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My son is 11 years old. He had physical and mental related issues. He is going to a special school. I am not able to admit him to the normal school as he is not able to write properly. I am really worried about his education and future. Kindly advise what I need to do for his education and future.
Ans: I understand your concerns about your son's education and future, and I want to reassure you that enrolling him in a special school is a positive step. Although long term it must be inclusive education. It’s great that he is receiving the tailored support he needs. To further support his development, continue with a multi-disciplinary approach by working with physiotherapists, rehabilitation psychologists, and other specialists who can address both his physical and mental needs. Utilizing all available resources at his special school, including individualized education plans (IEPs) and therapies, will also be beneficial.

Additionally, obtaining a disability certificate can provide access to extra resources and support. Consider exploring National Trust schemes that may offer additional assistance and benefits. Joining a parent support group can also be incredibly valuable, providing you with emotional support and practical advice from others who are in similar situations.

Your dedication and patience are crucial, and every small achievement is a step forward. With continued support and the right resources, he can make significant progress. Don’t hesitate to reach out to his educators and therapists for personalized advice and assistance.

Wishing you and your son all the best.

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Which is better NMIT EEE or Chanakya university CSE
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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2025Hindi
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Sir my son got 93.59 percentile in mht cet and his jee score is 73.42 percentile. His choice in cse , data science, robotic science, cyber security, and last is E&TC branch. I m from Maharashtra and belong SBC category so suggest best college in Pune or mumbai city
Ans: With a 93.59 percentile in MHT-CET under the SBC quota, your son can aim for the following ten reputable colleges and branches in Mumbai and Pune, based on 2024 closing percentiles and institutional reputation: COEP Pune (CSE/E&TC)¹, VJTI Mumbai (CSE/IT)?, PICT Pune (CSE/Data Science)?, SPIT Mumbai (ECE/Cyber Security)?, VIT Pune (CSE-AI & ML)?, VIIT Pune (IT/Data Science)?, Pimpri?Chinchwad COE Pune (CSE/AI-ML)??, TCET Mumbai (CSE/Cyber Security)?, GHRCEM Pune (CSE/AI/DS/Cyber Security)?, and AISSMS Pune (CSE/IT/E&TC)?. All institutions hold NBA/NAAC accreditation, boast PhD-qualified faculty, modern labs, active industry tie-ups, and placement rates of 80–95% over the last three years.

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Prioritise COEP Pune CSE for its premier NIRF ranking and 99%+ placements, then VJTI Mumbai CSE for strong industry links, and PICT Pune CSE/Data Science for balanced cutoffs and robust labs. Use SPIT Mumbai Cyber Security and VIT Pune CSE-AI & ML as competitive options, and consider VIIT Pune, PCCOE Pune, TCET Mumbai, GHRCEM Pune, and AISSMS Pune as reliable backups. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2025Hindi
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Hi Sir, My daughter has got admission in below- VIT Vellore- CSE with AI ML Manipal Jaipur - CSE ( specialisation to be added later) Narsee Monjee, Mumbai.- ECE Can you please help advise the priority in which we should consider these colleges
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Nayagam P

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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