Help-Best public schools for Autism, Atlanta area (Vinings, Harrison: attorney, homes)

[GrangerKristin]

Hi-
Our family is being relocated to the Atlanta area-my husband will be working in Vinings. Our son has autism, and is doing grade level work and is mainstreamed- but has a full time para professional with him. Are there any counties that have similar levels of services in the Atlanta area? He's in elementary school- and I also need great schools for my typically developing children. Help!

[lastminutemom]

Good luck.

does your husband have to make the move?

GA is not known for its outstanding special ed services.

I recommend you join these groups and ask your questions...

Autism Spectrum Support Group
The Autism Society of America-Greater Georgia Chapter - Contact

Education cuts are going to be painful next year and you can expect push back on mainstreaming with an aide (not so much push back on mainstreaming without an aide.) Unfortunately, we have lots of students who have simply been dumped into regular classrooms without proper supports.

You need to be prepared to hire an advocate or attorney if necessary. Come with all your evaluations indicating that he needs both a mainstreamed class and an aide.

[GrangerKristin]

Thanks so much for the reply- I will post my question to the other groups you recommended.

Does he have to move? Probably- but maybe our family should consider staying put for the excellent special ed services up here and fly him home three times a month and look for a studio apt.

I'd hate to have to do that, though- besides the expense I think not having dad around may be worse for my kids than a bad school situation.

Does any county down there do a better job with kids with autism? I'm sure my husband would prefer a one hour commute than the commute to Indiana!!

[lastminutemom]

In my opinion, the best public schools in Metro Atlanta are in East Cobb and N. Fulton. However, that doesn't mean they do a great job with special ed. Unfortunately, special ed services can vary greatly within a system and even within a school.

Your best bet is really to hook up with the advocacy organizations and let them guide you.

[GrangerKristin]

Thanks again for the advice. I have heard good things about East Cobb and North Fulton schools- I know they will be good for my typically developing daughter. Maybe a private school for my son- any thoughts on this?

[chiefs fan]

Hi,

I can't speak for autism in general, but I have a son in 1st grade that was diagnosed with Asperger's in kindergarten. He currently attends Ford Elementary in West Cobb. So far we have been very pleased with the services he receives at the school and have not had to battle for anything. When he was first diagnosed we were leery about staying in GA since we have heard it isn't the best place for kids with special needs, but so far we have had a very good experience with his current school.

We have seen a dramatic improvement in him since last year. He is in a mainstream class that is co-taught. One teacher is a regular teacher and the other teacher is special ed. The students are a mix of neurotypical and special needs. I have noticed a para-professional in the class for another student at all times, so I suppose they are available but I don't have first-hand knowledge.

The only thing that was annoying is that the evaluation process seemed to take a long time. Once the evaluation was complete things moved a lot faster. However I suspect you probably have an IEP in place so I would think that would make the transistion a lot easier.

Best of luck to you!

[kaday]

I would recommend highly recommend Tritt Elementary in East Cobb for special needs.

[GrangerKristin]

I am so grateful for the advice- it's such a hard thing to uproot your child with special needs when he is currently thriving in his school- but the information is making me feel so much better. I actually saw a nice home that is in the Ford Elementary district- so I will also search out homes near Tritt, too. Just curious- my son will be going into 4th grade- what typically happens at the middle school and high school level for kids with autism, especially at Lost Mountain Middle School and Harrison High? Does anybody out there have any experience with that?
Thanks in advance- other moms and caring people that have paved the way are what makes this journey so much better for all of us with special needs loved ones.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by GrangerKristin

I am so grateful for the advice- it's such a hard thing to uproot your child with special needs when he is currently thriving in his school- but the information is making me feel so much better. I actually saw a nice home that is in the Ford Elementary district- so I will also search out homes near Tritt, too. Just curious- my son will be going into 4th grade- what typically happens at the middle school and high school level for kids with autism, especially at Lost Mountain Middle School and Harrison High? Does anybody out there have any experience with that?
Thanks in advance- other moms and caring people that have paved the way are what makes this journey so much better for all of us with special needs loved ones.

So that you will have the information when you start searching in the Tritt district...all students in the Tritt district go on to Hightower Trail Middle and Pope High.

[kaday]

Just to back up my recommendation on Tritt, I have several friends who have had kids in Tritt with special needs. 2 of their kids are mainstreamed autistic and did very well, getting great support and services. They have sinced moved to another area. Other friends have kids with speech and auditory issues and have had the same positive experience. An educational pyscologist who evaluated my child said Tritt would be a good elementary school for her (though we don't live in Tritt we have considered moving there for that reason). She has dyslexia.