Children with Autism/Learning Disabilities (Atlanta, Peachtree City: appointed, transfer, neighborhoods)

[liush7]

Hey Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone here has relocated from another state with a child who is autistic or learning diabled? I am specifically interested in hearing your experience with the Georgia school system and what you think of it. I have a child who has been classified as learning disabled but I suspect he may be pdd nos. I really want to move to GA but his education is first. He is in an awesome school here in NYC and he is doing really well. As I stated I am just curious to here what other people have to say about the special ed programs there. I have actually gotten a lot of feedback (not a lot of good stuff about the school system) but I am still interested in getting more feedback. I will be visiting GA in another 3 weeks to visit family and to check out schools. All suggetions are welcomed.

Thank you all,
Leesita

[go falcons]

We have had nothing but a first rate experience in dealing with our county since my son was diagnoised with autism as a toddler in 2003. Everyone of his teachers have been top notch as well as his aids. All of his needs and our concerns have been immediately addressed by the county and the school. We are in Peachtree City in the Fayette County school system.
I cannot address how they( Fayette County ) addresses learning disabilities but I can tell you that The Howard School which has been a private school dealing with L.D for close to 50 years is in downtown Atlanta . It is one of the most respected schools in the country dealing in that field.They also work very cloesly with surrounding counties because they have to send thier students in to those counties and they may be able to give you good feed back as to certain counties you are interested in .

[ReesesTurtles]

My sister moved here in August 2007 from Texas. She has a boy with autism spectrum disorder (age 4 at the time, he's 5 now), and a 7 year old girl who also has learning disabilities. She moved into Dekalb county and has the kids attending a public school (Midway Elementary). She has had nothing but problems with the school's education system. They gave her the run-a-round for several weeks so that it took two months just to get them into classes. Then after just a month she was told she had to take them OUT of classes because they weren't up to date on their vaccinations. After a couple weeks she got them vaccinated (took a while because my mom came down very ill, which we kept trying to explain to them). Then upon returning to school, they were given unexcused absences. Both kids have frequent doctor appointments due to there disorders, but even with notes are given unexcused absences. Just a week ago they called my sister telling her that her daughter tested positive for vision problems and has needed glasses for six months, and what's the hold-up. But they NEVER told us she had vision problems!! And then they called a social worker to our house, "because the kids weren't up to date on their vaccinations" when they have the records showing the kids were vaccinated and are up to date!! AND my niece gets teased mercilessly at school by the other kids because of her learning problems, and the teacher does nothing. If my niece tries to tell her what is going on, she gets in trouble for tattling. My sister has talked to the teacher to remedy the problem, but the teacher doesn't feel like it's her job to deal with childish disputes.
I don't know what other public schools in other neighborhoods and counties are like, but do your best to avoid Midway, and possibly all of Dekalb. Fernbank has an excellent public school elementary which we hope to be able to transfer my niece and nephew to. Also after one year of attending elementary in Georgia, special needs kids can receive state scholarships that will pay for tuition and costs at a private local school until they are at least 18 years old. So if you do find yourself and your child within an inferior school program, you just gotta stick it out for a year before you can move on to something much better.

[lastminutemom]

It isn't about the school in DeKalb (and I can almost guarantee you Fernbank won't be any better) It is the school system.

Also, the voucher probably won't cover the full expense of a private education. It is based on the state's portion of a child's educational expenses. Read this:

Mental Hope News: Parents disappointed by state's Special Needs Scholarships - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

To many families are not understanding this -- even the most severe kids seem to be getting far less than anticipated.

To the original poster -- really the best advice I have is not to move to GA. Special needs services stink here.

[miranova]

We are moving across country to get out of Georgia.

To get the scholarship your child would have to attend school for a year also. There are very few private schools who accept special needs children (esp Autism, like mine). Maybe two or so in the state?

If you were to move anywhere I would absolutely recommend the Atlanta area. I'd really recommend not moving here, seriously.

[liush7]

Hello Everyone,
I actually went out to Ga both in February and in April. I visited the Howard School and was very impressed with it, however, after enquiring about the cost to attend. I nearly doubled over. The school is well over twenty thousand dollars a year and the scholarship will only pay but so much. I realize services are very limited there and that my son is in a great program right where he is. His school has a lot of diversity and great services. These things are really important to me and I just can rationalize in my head to pull him from a place where he is thriving. Thank you all for your insight.

[JEN121570]

Whatever you do, DO NOT move to South Georgia! I've lived here for 10 years and IMO, you'd be better off moving anywhere but GA. I'm moving next month because of the lack of cooperation I've had with my daughter's schools.

I've spent $$$ getting her privately evaluated, and the public schools only take their own test results into consideration. If I hear one more teacher say "According to Georgia state standards....." I might go postal on them!

[rochellerosser]

I live in south Atlanta and I can tell ya that cooperation with the schools are very limited, I can confirm that Fayette count school system(public school) was the best, very accomadating and plenty of resources, I recently moved in may of 08 do to the economy I couldnt afford to remain in fayette county and my son is now in a fulton county school that I will not name out of embarrassment and is has been horrible. Lack of assistance for the teachers which means the student suffers. When my son was in fayette county he had his own parapro and he learned 3 signs before we lft, now...he is stagnant close to regression I dont know what to do at this point the fulton county board of education say there is no money for additional parapro's thats ashame considering I am tax paper.

[t_pers76]

Not sure what the intention of your move is, but we moved to Delaware last year (not too far from New York), and we've had a great experience with the Caesar Rodney school system. Our son has multiple disabilities, and attends Charlton Elementary (a school devoted entirely to kids with special needs, even a whole wing of the facility for those with autism). I believe there's a pre-k program, and kids can attend until the age of 21. Acceptance is based on the level of need, of course. They have all the therapies, adaptive equipment, a heated indoor pool for once-a-week swims, and lots of assistive technology devices. The staff is great, and there are lots of paraprofessionals on staff as well. My son has one-on-one assistance. I would highly recommend this school!!

[sylla mamady]

my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. at the age of 4 he came to Africa where he's still living. due to my less income and also the family responsability I have in Ivory-coast , I am wondering whether there is a state funding health facility that can out by housing and providing him therapy. I am now very desperate and I just want my son to be like any other child.