Pre-K autism services in Houston metro - where to live? (The Woodlands: health insurance, house)

[C_Boddicker]

Good Afternoon CDers,

I had a question for some Houstonians here regarding public services for children with Autism and how that might decide where I live in the area. I have a four year-old who is on the spectrum with a mild case that has improved dramatically through therapy, and am moving to Houston from Boston for work in a few months.

In Massachusetts, the services he has recieved from both his public school and from state-funded private therapists have been phenomenal - these are services that were provided in addition to the things that my health insurance covered. As I have heard anecdotally, the comparative quality of these services in Texas can differ dramatically by county, city and even neighborhood. In my family's situation, I will be working near IAH airport and have a house budget of roughly $750K to $1M (can obviously go lower). Before I plunk down in The Woodlands or something similar, I would like to know more.

I would love to hear from parents, familly or friends "in the know" where might be the best place in the Houston metro to live if I want my child to recieve the very best in public services for Autism treatment (to say nothing of private ones). It seems that "word of mouth" about good school districts is far more valuable than broad google searches, and being totally new to the area, I would love to learn more. Please feel free to reply publically or privately, and in advance, I really appreciate any help. Thank you!

[Meyerland]

Memorial area zoned to Spring Branch ISD has the best spec Ed department. Great area of town, and if my child had special needs I would live there in a heartbeat. It is south of I10 around memorial.

[EasilyAmused]

Definately Memorial. Or live in the Memorial area and enroll in a private specialty school such as Westview or Monarch.

The Woodlands schools would be one of the last places I'd want to be with a special needs or a child with any kind of learning disability...or heck even a brilliant one. That system is constructed to pump out high average students to gifted learners. Anything outside of that spectrum they aren't equiped to deal with. I personally have witnessed the frustration with those schools.

[colcat]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Definately Memorial. Or live in the Memorial area and enroll in a private specialty school such as Westview or Monarch.

The Woodlands schools would be one of the last places I'd want to be with a special needs or a child with any kind of learning disability...or heck even a brilliant one. That system is constructed to pump out high average students to gifted learners. Anything outside of that spectrum they aren't equiped to deal with. I personally have witnessed the frustration with those schools.

I have witnessed the special ed programs in The Woodlands (worked in the schools, had close friends with autisic children) and completely disagree with your broad statement. I have seen first hand the dedication these teachers and staff have to bring out the fullest potential in every student.