Possibly relocating to Knoxville, (Oak Ridge, Maryville: school district, live, shops)

[Hedder2678]

Hello possibly relocating in the next few months with my fieonce and my teenage son.
My son has ci and autism I'm wondering what special needs schools would be best for him.
Any help is appreciated ty,

[hiknapster]

Here's some info for you.

Special Education / About Special Education

[Avgenackis]

My daughter who lives in Knoxville has two children with autism. She sent me the following information:

Unfortunately, there aren't any speciality schools for teens with Autism here in Knoxville. There are different programs within Knox County School District (Bearden High School has the program for Aspergers...), but it depends on the child's "needs" (if that makes sense).

Melissa Massey is the Special Ed Director. Her info is:
(865) 594-1540 Office

[email]melissa.massie@knoxschools.org[/email]

Some other good resources for people coming into the area inlcude:
1) "Autism Site Knoxville"http://www.autismsiteknoxville.org/ this gives A LOT of resources within the community

1) The Autism Society of East TN ([url=http://www.asaetc.org]Autism Society of East Tennessee - Autism Society[/url]) has a Facebook page that has alot of great resources. They used to have a seperate group called "The Friendship Club" that had a variety of programs, fun days out, etc... They have done away with that, and instead use an app called "Meetup" to list activities. It is free via The App Store.
They also send out emails to those on their email list regarding activities in Knoxville and other cities in East Tennessee!!

2) Artistic Spectrum ([url=http://www.artisticspectrum.org]Knoxville Autism Center | ASK - Autism Site Knoxville[/url]) also has a Facebook page... This is a neat place!! It has fine arts workshops/activities for those with ASD and also provide FREE Autism support inservice training to extracurricular program directors, etc. They started the "Autism Site Knoxville"

3) Knoxville Center for Autism has "Social Skills Camp" for children up to 15 years old. [url=http://www.knoxcenterautism.com]Home Page[/url] They have a Facebook page as well.

4) Open Doors of Tennessee ([url]www.opendoorstn.org[/url]) offers a lot of programs/activities for children/teens as well (not just those on the Spectrum). They also have a middle school/high school weekend camp... not sure when that is tho. I know that there are other programs they have too (just can't think of them all off the top of my head). They have a Facebook page as well....

5) Alan Sims (owns Menchies in Turkey Creek) GAVE his other Menchies franchise in Bearden Hill to Open Doors of TN!! This location employs those with disabilities and all profit goes back to Open Doors!!!

6) I know that a lot of my friends participate in Challenger Sports as well... soccer, basketball, cheerleading, etc. We have never done it, but have heard great things! [url=http://www.knoxvillechallengersports.org]Home Page[/url]

7) Breakthrough of Knoxville ([url]www.breakthroughknoxville.com[/url]) is geared mainly for adults with ASD, but I believe they also have social groups for teens.

8) STAR (Shangri-la Therapeutic Academy of Riding) [url=http://www.rideatstar.org]RIDEATSTAR - Home[/url] is another GREAT place!!! My kids rode horses there for several years. We have just gotten too busy now to continue. I know that they have a "horse camp" during the summer too.

Depending on if they can live some place other than Knoxville, Maryville CITY schools are the best. Oak Ridge also has very good schools for special needs.

For Knox County, I would say that they should look at the West Knox area... Bearden High school is great!!! Another friend of mine's son is at West High School and likes the program there.