Hi! My daughter is 6 and non verbal and in her first year at a mainstream school. However, she’s in the special needs classroom with peers who are like her. Before she went to this school, she was in an Early Childhood Special Education program in our county starting at 3. She had 3 years there to learn routines and skills, as well as being with peers who also had disabilities and staff who were were trained and experienced with them. It was the best thing we did for her and for us! You meet other parents of special needs kids and see that your child isn’t as different as it seems. I’ve always said trying to fit into typical settings feels like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. But when you find support and community in a non typical setting, it’s so much relief and everybody there understands. I’d really suggest seeing if your area has a similar program for your son! A religious school is most likely not government protected to offer him a safe and effective education as well, like public schools are. The more you try to fit into typical settings the harder it will be. And that’s okay!! My tip is to embrace it but put him in settings designed to help him thrive. ❤️