schools for autistic children (Charlotte: houses, camps, live)

[tancam2000]

hi my husband and i would love to move to the charlotte area but my son is autistic. we are wondering how the school are for children with developmental disabilities. i would love
to get some input from someone who lives in the area or if any one knows where i can go to get some more info i would really appreciate it. we would love to get out of new york but only if the schools are comparable . thanks

[marvinnative]

There are several other posters who have researched your question. Check out this thread. I'm sure some of them can offer you the benefit of their experience...

http://www.city-data.com/forum/charl...ght=cinderobyn

[autimom4ever]

Hi there!!

I am moving to the Charlotte area from Maryland.
Maryland has wonderful services for children with autism so my only concern about the move was schools/services for autism.
So I started to really do research.
I researched 4 counties in which I wanted to look for houses.
Mecklenburg - City of Charlotte and surrounding
Union - S. Charlotte
York - Northern SC
Lancaster - Northern SC

What I found (and heard from others) was the following:

Union has great services/schools but I never talked with anyone in this county

Mecklenburg has a lot out there but is a little disorganized (this is only from what I heard - not what I saw).. I heard that some parents intentially moved from Mecklenburg Co because they did not like the services/schools for autism.

York - They have classrooms for autistic children within typical schools (which is what they have here). They teachers are well educated and the programs appear to be very organized. I was concerned about services (such as after school care and camps) but the ASA has been very responsive to my worrys and will help when we move.

Lancaster - Same as York

We have decided on York county. I think he will like it.

Good luck on your research

[Pikantari]

I have also gotten other info from PM info on the board if you would like to Pm me

[kmway]

For anyone interested, I saw this in my Inbox today:
http://www.autismawarefare.org/

Also, I think you would get good information by calling The Autism Society of North Carolina – Mecklenburg County Chapter 704-341-9669.

[Pikantari]

Hello... wondering if you have gotten the info you need? Union County has a good program, I have faxed foward my dd IEP to them. I checked out each county that I thought I may think about moving to and checked out their exceptional childrens site within the school site, then got in touch with the head of them. I also got in touch with the North Carolina Autism Society Chapter who referred me to a few people, as well as I have rec'd some referrals from a person on the board, which were by far most helpful. Coming from a parent who is exp the same thing and knows whats going on is very reassuring. The schools can boast and say they have a wonderful program, but what I have done is basically compared what she is receiving now, which is very good, but once she goes into mid school next year the school isn't so great...to the services that are provided from Charlotte area schools. Its funny, my dd was just asking me if they will have a program for her where we move. She knows she is different from the other kids, she is mainstreamed with them, but also has the comfort of going back to that class of her peers and calming down from all of the stimulation of the changing classes and full classes, noisiness and such

[dandevder]

http://www.supportworks.org/cat767.htm
http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/
http://www.parkerautismfoundation.org/
http://www.unioncounty-autism.com/
http://teacch.com/
http://store.appcomm.net/Merchant2/m...tore_Code=ASNC (broken link)

These are some links that you may find helpful. We are located in Union County. Our son has Aspergers. UCPS have been excellent to us. Please feel free to pm with any specific questions you may have. If you are looking into UCPS, Dawn Patterson is the contact. She is the county Autism Specialist. She is a wonderful person and tries her best with each family!

Remember April is Autism Awarness month! http://www.autismawarefare.org/ Local restaurants in the link will be donating proceeds to benefit Autism research on Tuesday April 24th.

[Pikantari]

Originally Posted by

[B

Remember April is Autism Awarness month[/b]! http://www.autismawarefare.org/ Local restaurants in the link will be donating proceeds to benefit Autism research on Tuesday April 24th.

Oh my goodness!!! I can't believe I have forgotten about April being Autism Awareness month... Doing stufff for trying to figure on moving, some lingering health issues, work... Nascar usually has a car and I didn't see it this year, saw it last year..... I am losing my mind, can't believe I forgot!

[donoceanside]

where in Union county for good services with children with Aspergers?

[dandevder]

Depending on where you are coming from...the schools might work a little differently. Schools are set up by counties, not towns as some of us are used to. My advice would be to do some research on each of the schools in the area you are looking at. Check out ncreportcards.org, greatschools.net, and any other sites you are familiar with. When you have narrowed down your location go visit the schools personally. You will know after meeting staff and seeing the school for yourself whether or not the schools would be a good fit for your child or not. Keep in mind that with the amount of growth experienced around here that unless you are next door to the school, there is a possibilty that your child may get redistricted. With all of the new schools they have in the works this is becoming a regular event. For children that don't adapt well to change this can be a very difficult thing. Best of luck!