Public Schools For Autistic Children (Germantown, Collierville: home, private school, live in)

[BamaBasenji]

We plan to move to the Shelby County area in the next year. Our son (currently 3) has high-functioning autism, and we are looking at options in the public school arena to see if any might be a good fit. We are willing to pay for private school, but we also want to know more about public schools in Shelby County. Do any public schools in the area offer good programs for autistic children? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Crazybreakfast]

I went to Lausanne- so take what I say with a grain of salt (and we had amazing amenities for folks with all forms of disabilities)-
I've heard that C'ville high has some excellent attention/programs for teens with learning disabilities- however, I haven't heard anything explicitly about autism. It is a gem, certainly, however, the school is enormous. I've heard similar things about Houston High, however, its facilities are a tad older, albeit, the school is smaller. I haven't heard anything about white station.
I know MUS has decent programs as well.
I really only know about HS, as I didn't live in the area until I went to high school here. Everything I know is hearsay at best.
I hope some folks can chime in on the younger crowd. For high school publics though I think Collierville high or Houston will be your best bets. For private, I'd urge Lausanne, haven't heard much from ECS, St Mary, Briarcrest, etc.; best of luck!

[Geneyus]

Collierville High does have some amazing SPED programs. I couldn't give you too many details, but I was told they have a full kitchen for the SPED kids to learn home skills. They've had SPED kids baking cookies and distributing them or selling them for years, and it was a big hit.

A lot of the autistic kids are in regular classes now, from K-12. They will just make an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and try to make adjustments to help the kids function in those classes. If they can't, then there are other classes where they will be with kids like them.

You might want to call Collierville High and Houston High (Germantown, TN) and just ask them about their programs. I'm sure they'd be happy to discuss them. I wouldn't pay for private school until you give public schools a chance.