best school for PPD Nos in the Houston (Spring, Katy: insurance, relocating to)

[beviejoe1]

Hi, we are relocating to the Houston Area and will be there next week to find a house. We have a six year old that is PPD Nos (high functioning Autism) and we want to find the BEST school system we can for him. He is private schooled here in Oklahoma but we will consider both public and private there in Houston. Our realtor is going to show us the Spring, Cypress, Katy area. We really like the Woodlands area but it is going to be too far of a commute Any advice at where to look?

[Oildog]

Use search function for autism, there were multiple threads on this.

[timtemtym]

PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified) is something his new school district will need to clear up pretty quickly! That identifier is only good through 1st grade. I'd suggest starting with your doctor and sharing your concerns about autism. He/She will make a recommendation and give you a note/evaluation referral to give to the school district. They will need to conduct that evaluation ASAP or pay for an outside evaluation.

What area will you work in? Your first step, in my opinion, should be to get with an autism advocacy group in Houston. Search for one and contact them for recommendations. They will also let you know what districts have issues (every district has issues) and how they have overcome them with their members.

The best program in any district isn't as good as an informed parent who knows what to push for to get your child the support he will need.

I taught and supervised programs in Houston for a few years and I think we recently had a thread on this in the houston forum. Best of luck!

[aaronIndy]

I would recommend finding an ABA therapy center near your location. Applied Behavioral Analysis is the only therapy method that has been approved by the Surgeon General to treat autism spectrum disorders. Most classes have a 1:10 (or greater) teacher to student ratio, which wouldn't give your son the individual attention needed. The typical ABA therapy is one-on-one. Schools certainly do their best and some are quite good; however, I would definitely look into it. They are often covered by insurance or medicaid. Some schools will even allow the therapist in the classroom.

[ilikeme]

Look up The Monarch School.