Autism Services/Schools (El Paso, Socorro: 2009, apartment, home)

[katiekins22]

We are considering moving to El Paso. My 4yo son has autism, and I was wondering if anyone can give me any information on community resources available there. Also, are there any good preschool classrooms for kids with autism? Are there good elementary school programs? Thanks.

[alucard]

Check out this website: Texas Autism Resources

Also this website has a list of all kinds of services: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/police/_d...ctory%2007.pdf
That website has info regarding Children Disability Information Coalition and also Advocacy, INC.
Hope this helps.

[abnjmaster]

I have 2 autistic kids, 16, and 7. I'm military and never lived in El Paso but one year when I deployed to Afghanistan my wife moved there to live by her mommy. We lived all over the country and my kids been in many different kinds of schools. My wife says by far El Paso schools have had the best programs my kids have been in. The tax rate there and the way schools are funded would be my guess as to why. I have 12 days left before I retire and drive to El Paso to live out my days and am very excited.

[katiekins22]

Thanks for the info! Also, abnjmaster, do you know what schools your kids went to? Could you ask your wife? I'm sure there are good schools there, but I need to know when looking at housing where to look, and my biggest concern is getting my son into a good preschool.

[abnjmaster]

My son went to tiera del sol, don't know what school they will be going to when we move back though. My in-laws live in the 79936 area code thats where my kids went to school.

[turtle791]

Hi, I live in El Paso, and we're in the process of having our little one evaluated for autism. As far as schools go, I like the Eastside (El Paso has 3 school districts, Socorro, Ysleta, and El Paso but the names are confusing, since all 3 actually serve different parts of El Paso) The 79936 zipcode is nice (that's the eastside), we used to live right there and they have good schools. OR I like the westside/upper valley. East or west are your best bet (I know that sounds odd, but there is also the northeast, lower valley and central parts of the city which I personally don't like as well)A good place to get more information would be the Sothwest autism society of America. They are located here in El Paso http://www.swasa.com/ We're with ECI here so far, my little guy is too young for preschool quite yet but I've been happy with ECI. They've done a good job.

[angelaochoa]

Ysleta ISD offers specialized classrooms for students with autism that is a full day class. They are on a summers off traditional school year. Eastwood HS offers a unit designed for students with aspergers. They offer pre-kinder classes for students with autism for ages 3 & 4. Their website it Ysleta ISD - TX - YISD Home. Socorro ISD also offers specialized classrooms for students with autism that is a full day class. They also have pre-kinder classes for students who are 3 & 4 years old. They are on a year round calendar. So the students start in mid july and end in late May. They have larger breaks and 2 week intercessions to make up for the small summer break. Their website is www.sisd.net.Make sure that you decide which school district you want to have your child in and then find a home or apartment in that district. If you don't live in that district, then you end up asking for special permission to have your child enrolled in the school. They don't have to let you enroll and then they don't have to offer that particular class for your child. It is completely up to their discretion. You need to live in the district that you want to have your child be enrolled in. Not all schools have the classes designed for students with autism. Sometimes they will be tranferred to the closest school and be given opportunity to be bused to the school.If your child has already been diagnosed and evaluated by another school district as being autistic, then bring those school records with you and the new school district will work with the previous school districts recommendations and findings. Then they will perform their own evaluation within 30 days and meet with you to discuss the findings and placement for your child in their school.If not then the school has 30 school days to perform their own evaluation and will place your child in a basic special education class, called PPCD during that time.The Southwest Chapter of the Autism Society of America (SWASA) has monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month. You can find updated information about the services and programs they offer at: Home, swasa, autism, el paso, texas, autism awareness, tx, southwest asa. They have a conference on April 24, 2009 and their 1st Run Walk for Autism on May 2, 2009. They are always welcoming new ideas and help implementing those ideas from parents, teachers, and others who are wanting to help the local autism community.Good Luck!

[PDD-NOS_Mom]

This thread is very helpful. I am a mom to a newly diagnosed child with PDD-NOS. I will have to take all this information into mind when he is ready to enter school.

[miner84]

Thank you so much for the detailed info. I am an El Paso native. I have been living in Utah for fifteen years. I have a sixteen year old son with high functioning autism. Most recently have considered moving back. What about in the medical arena, are there physicians who specialize in autism?

[PDD-NOS_Mom]

Originally Posted by miner84

What about in the medical arena, are there physicians who specialize in autism?

Yes, there are two. The more popular one is Dr. Cortez, she works out of the Texas Tech Pediatric Specialties office. She is very open minded, and is always researching new studies. She likes to work on the inflammation, gut, and include diet changes. She opts for internal bio-medical changes (vitamins, diet, supplements, methylation by epsom salt baths) and therapies.

The other doctor is known to push/overly rely on psychiatric drugs, so she is not held in too high esteem among the parent community of children with autism.

There is a 4 month wait for the latter, and 4-5 month wait for the former. So, I would call and make an appointment before moving. That way you won't waste too much time on a waiting list.