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My Child Has Down’s Syndrome

06 August, 2019
Q As-salamu`alaykum, I have a 5-year-old child who has Down's Syndrome. I'm home-educating him but the health visitors and the pediatricians are harassing me about home education. I feel a lot of pressure from them. Do they have any right to force me to put my child in school? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the health visitors? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Answer

In this counseling answer:

“I suggest that you come to an agreement with the school on a shared timetable in which your son can attend school for two days and stay at home for three days. The schoolwork and homework can be coordinated. This way the child will draw benefits from both, school and home.”


As-Salamu`Alaykum,

I understand that your real concern is to teach your child at home but the health visitors and the pediatricians are pushing you to send your son to school. There are two important issues that you need to examine. One has to do with your child’s

•Emotional

•Physiological

•Social development

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Children need, beside academic education, social interaction. In your child’s case, mixing with so-called “normal” (for a lack of better word) children would provide interaction that will encourage confidence and self-assurance.

On the other hand, he might find the home environment more calming, but isolation can also produce anxiety and self-consciousness. The important thing to consider is the benefit. Are there more positive things for the child if he is taught at home, or will the school will be a better place where the child can also learn social skills?

Academic knowledge and social skills both are very important.

I suggest that you come to an agreement with the school on a shared timetable in which your son can attend school for two days and stay at home for three days. The schoolwork and homework can be coordinated. This way the child will draw benefits from both, school and home.

I hope, in sha’ Allah, this will help.

***

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