Colorado Springs Schools resources for Autism (Mountain View: neighborhood, school districts, living)

[go falcons]

There is a chance we maybe moving to Colorado Springs in the next few months and we have a elementary school child with Autism. Can anyone tell about the resources the area and counties can offer us as far as public schools go.
My child is currently getting speach (2 hours ) weekly, an aide daily for class time outside of his autism spectrum class.They are flourishing where they are and we don't want to make any mistakes by moving them to an area which cannot offer the same or better than what they are already recieving.
Thank you in advance.

[ksenn]

Im assuming by your screen name you are military (we are too) and would be living near the USAFA. Our neighborhood school, Mountain View Elementary (in District 20), has a Communication classroom that is mostly used for kids with Autism. I believe it is a mostly self-contained classroom which sounds like what you have at your current school. My daughter has Down syndrome so I am familiar with most of the programs that this district has to offer. Some of the schools also have a Significant Support Needs Classrooms as well that are a little more specialized than the typical resource room. There are a handful of schools with this type of classroom and not every school has one. It is used as a pull out and not as contained as the Communication class. I suppose depending on your child's IEP, they may be able to be in either classroom situation.

I would say though to definitely look at other districts as well and dont assume because a lot of people believe D20 is one of the best districts.... that it is the best for kids with special needs.

My neighbor across the street has a high school age daughter with Autism and has lived here for quite awhile, so if you need more info, just send me an email and I can see what I can find out from her.

Good luck!

[go falcons]

KSEN, thank you for the reply.
The information you shared is just the type of thing I'm looking for.
I will pm you for your neighbor's e-mail if the job comes through. It would really help a lot.

[froggin4colorado]

If you end up in D49- my gf/colleague teaches in a self-contained room just for autism. From what I understand, D49 is attempting to cater to the high demand/needs for autism. I haven't had the chance to visit with her lately to see how things are going but I haven't heard anything bad either. IMO, having the district recognize the need to start specializing in the area is a good thing. (I am also a SPED teacher.) We have quite a few resources for you locally and the Pikes Peak region meets regularly to work on communication between districts and services in addition transition services and post-secondary goals.

PS. I can also tell you that many of our SPED teachers in the area know quite a bit in ABA (applied behavior analysis) and are working very hard/intensely on the communication issues that surround autism.

[medicswife1]

Ksen I am in the same situation( moving to Colorado Springs) and need some resources for Autistic Children.I wouldnt mind hearing from your neighbor with the daughter with autism.My son is high functioning (9 years old) and Im looking for educational AND medical resources.Please ask your friend if they are aware of D A N (defeat autism now )physicians in the area ?

[hampmp]

I am torn between jobs and I have an offer for the Colorado Springs area, Miami, and Key West. Colorado I think is our first choice, but it seems hard to find information on specifically on how the school districts are handling autism. My son is receiving 2 hours of Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy a week and is in a Autism dedicated classroom. Can anyone give me an current information on District 20/11/49 how they are all stacking up with their work on autistic children?

[froggin4colorado]

COS school districts are all similar when it comes to SpEd services. All are great school. My favs are D49 and D8 for SpEd, specificially autism. I just left the area- taught SpEd, and know people in every district.