Moving to Milwaukee-Autism (Madison, Waukesha, Brookfield: home, neighborhood, school district)

[Autism11]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hi,

I have an 11 yr old son with autism. I am relocating from Madison to Milwaukee. Please let me know about the services in Milwaukee and the school systems that have excellent services for children with autism. Also, any schools that should be avoided.

Truly appreciated![/font]

[mikki]

I would stay away from the Waukesha Schools. They have "desegregated" their special ed system and clumped kids with all disabilities together in their neighborhood school programs. This type of model is extrememly ineffective, particularly for children diagnosed with Autism. The Hamilton School District is awesome, and I would highly recommend any school in that area! Good Luck!

[sophiadad]

Check out the following website: Welcome to Jonah's Journey! | Jonah's Journey - Advocates for Autism Education

It is my understanding this organization provides funding for autistic specific classrooms in private schools in the Milwaukee area. We live in Madison but a friend told me about the program. I would call them to see if they can help.

[webmaker]

Autsim11 - I'm also moving to the Milwaukee area and doing research. I've been talking to mostly parents so far and everyone seems to think their district is great and Tosa (where I'd like to go) is not. I think I'm going to hire an independent person as this is getting me no where. My son will be in second grade so we are looking just at elementary schools.

[mikki]

A possible idea for you both may be to contact the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. It is an awesome early intervention program that your children would be too old to participate in at this point, but they may be able to assist yon in regard to schools/districts. Good luck!

[mommoving]

Avoid Milwaukee Public Schools, better to stick with one of the better ranked suburban schols districts like Arrowhead, Kettle Morraine, Brookfield or Mequon.

[Eshea]

Actually Gaenslen School is a great MPS school. My son is on the spectrum, ADHD and has Sensory Integration Disorder and I could not be happier with the services. They started out as a school for disabled kids and went to both in the 80's. Because of the NCLB criteria they do score low. They have over 20% kids that are disbaled in some way. It is my opinion that they should be exempt, but that is a whole 'nother post! It is in Riverwest and that is definitely a neighborhood in flux.

I agree with PP about getting in touch with WEAP (Wisconsin Early Autism Project). I would also call MPS or the district you are looking to move to. MPS is NOT all bad, it just takes a little research to find the right fit. As a parent of a special needs child I know I have.

There are a couple message boards I am on with moms from all over Milwaukee that might help you become familiar with Milwaukee and its suburbs....

BCM - BCM
Milwaukeemoms.com

Good Luck!

[kateri17]

Originally Posted by mikki

I would stay away from the Waukesha Schools. They have "desegregated" their special ed system and clumped kids with all disabilities together in their neighborhood school programs. This type of model is extrememly ineffective, particularly for children diagnosed with Autism. The Hamilton School District is awesome, and I would highly recommend any school in that area! Good Luck!

Gosh I'd really have to disagree about the Waukesha schools! I have had my son in them since K and he's now in 3rd, and though there have been a few bumps here and there, I am very pleased. I'm sure people's experiences vary from school to school a LOT though. I can vouch for Saratoga, Summit View, Hawthorn and to a lesser extent Randall.

I've found the school to be also very accommodating and flexible when it comes to having my son in half days only to allow him to take advantage of his course of intensive home ABA therapy. It's worth a look in my opinion