Great Schools for Autistic kids...please! (Union, Wayne: preschool, to live, bus)

[Nancy Lynne]

Originally Posted by saralee

First I just want to say congratulations on getting an early diagnosis! I know this is a very difficult time for you and your family but you've already accomplished a lot. Early diagnosis is the greatest gift you could have given your child.

I think contacting The Autism Center at UMDNJ would be a good starting place for support, education and resources.

As the mother of a child with special needs, I disagree with the poster who said it's too early to think about education. After the diagnosis, you need a plan. And the plan will constantly evolve, depending on the needs of your child. Your life will likely become consumed by your son's needs. It's a lot of work but oh so gratifying once he begins to bloom. Fortunately for you and your son, you live in New Jersey. And while New Jersey seriously lags (to the point where many districts are criminally negligent) when it comes to educating most children with special needs, autism is an area where the state truly shines. Seriously. There are a number of EXCELLENT schools in New Jersey for students with autism.

All of the schools listed below use ABA. There are other philosophies, I'm just not familiar with them. But do a google search and you'll find a lot of information to get you started.

The Alpine Learning Group, River Edge
ALLEGRO School, Cedar Knolls
Bernards Township, preschool program
The Children's Center of Monmouth County, Neptune
DOUGLASS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CENTER, Rutgers-New Brunswick
The Eden Institute, Princeton
Garden Academy, Montclair
Hineni at Sinai, Livingston
Institute for Educational Achievement, River Edge
New Beginnings, Fairfield
The Princeton Child Development Institute, Princeton
REED Academy, Garfield
Somerset Hills Learning Institute, Gladstone
Piscataway has several schools

Good luck!

Sincerely,

SL

I have a friend with a seriously autistic son who is now 12. He attends the Children's Center of Monmouth County in Neptune. Altho she lives in Oceanport, a bus picks him up and takes him to and from Neptune.
She loves his school! She says he has made such remarkable advances in that school. If you would like to know more, I will ask her for you.

God Bless you and your child and good luck!

Nancy

[mishi]

I know of someone who is certified in ABA. I don't know if I am allowed to post web addresses on here but this is her address:
http://stephaniehicks.net/index.html
I went to college with her and have kept in touch with her over the years...so I can recommend her on a personal level...but we live in different parts of NJ so have never crossed paths professionally.
You are doing the right thing by utilizing as many early intervention services as you can for the time being. Make sure that your district's Child Study Team evaluates him as soon as he is eligible at which time you can get a better idea of what kind of school options are available to him.

[jellybelly]

Hi!! My son was dx'd at the same age as yours--EI makes a world of difference!

As far as schools--we lucked out and happen to live in Brick--although 30% of the spec. ed kids here specifically MOVE into Brick to take advantage of their autistic programs.

The program is Verbal Behavior based(as opposed to some districts that use the PECS system). They really "get" it--they have wonderful teachers in the enclosed classrooms--and a LOT of opportunity for mainstreaming. 3 years a ago the district built a new school called the Educational Enrichment Center specifically to provide a calm, controlled "VB(verbal behavior) atmosphere for the autistic pop.).

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...374/1070/rss02

see the above link for a recent article.

mind you--the program is good-but there are still problems--but from what i understand--this is one of the more "state of the art" programs in the State.

Also--b/c there is such a large autistic pop. in Brick--there are a lot of parent organizations--www.poac.net is one to check out

Good Luck!

[AngelicHali07]

Originally Posted by mmahabir

Hello,
I will be brief... I have just received a diagnosis for my 2yr old child of autism. Obviously, my husband and I are worried and have had a difficult time figuring things out. IF ANYONE HAS ANY GUIDANCE FOR US AND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT GREAT/GOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN... WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU SHARING!

M.M.

Hello. I have a niece that has Autism that lives in Little Egg Harbor, otherwise known as Mystic Island, in Ocean County. I do not know what school she is in currently but I do know that the school she was in was in Tuckerton and it was an excellent school. Hali is now 8 1/2 years old and improved while in that school, she was in school at about 2 or 3 years old. I believe you should start your son in school at an early age. You can probably call the school district for information. I do know that a few years ago that they hired a teacher that for 20 plus years taught only autistic children at a previous school before going to that school. There are also on line support groups for parents of children with Autism, one is the Autism Support Group. You would be able to get help from the members on any questions.

AngelicHali07

[yogibear]

I know of a school (for autistic kids) in Newbrunswick area...its within Rutgers University's Cool/Douglas campus. This is close to Route 18 and Nelson theatre center. You can go online to their website and try calling their Cook/Douglas campus student center.

One of my friend used to work for them and I know they are great with Autistic kids.

[jslyvie]

Originally Posted by mmahabir

Hi everyone,
Thank you for so much guidance. I never realized how important it is to reach out for help when things get difficult. I just wanted to report that I have spent the last month doing all kinds of research on my son and what is available for an autistic child. Some of it was extremely scary to learn and other pieces of information were jewels!

After speaking with a woman inside of S. Brunswick School system, I learned they have an excellent pre-k thru high school program for children on the spectrum. The have ABA providers, speech therapists, OT and speech behaviorists on site. The woman I spoke with runs the department for the district. unfortunately, I have not met anyone with a special needs child in that district to support her strong feelings about their program but atleast it sounds more promising than the Franklin school district that I live in. My husband and I are hoping to move to S. Brunswick before the end of the summer and definitely before my son ages out (early intervention) in October.

meanwhile, my eldest son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. The doctor said he is high functioning but has a slight problem in the communication area. Often he can be some one echolalic, repeating the end to some sentences and/or questions that he does not understand. After a while of hearing responses he learns how to respond to questions but does not hold "small talk" on the same level as other 3 year olds. The doctor (neurodevelopmental) could not suggest what type of therapist he would need but did suggest having him around other well spoken 3yr olds in a small environment, ie. play dates.

Please, if anyone has a similiar situation with their child or has some insight as to what type of provider would work well for this matter it would be appreciated. Some times I worry that I am not giving my eldest son's issue enough attention because I am so focused on my youngest son (who is 2 and 3mo but is still not talking, he does babble but he has a diagnosis of autism). I worry alot that my eldest son's issue might slip thru the cracks and not be helped appropriately. He is very social but his inability to hold similiar conversations as some other 3year olds seems to lend to some isolation at his private preschool. (not to mention, the teachers are very impatient about helping any children outside of the "norm".) I can't put him in public school yet because there is no daycare in district with space for both of my sons and my husband and I work in the city all day so the district school bus will not pick them up from their current day care.

Well, guys. You have been so great in responding to me. If anyone has advise I open my heart and mind to hearing it!

All the best!
M

Hi I am going to be moving to the New Jersey area and feel overwhelmed as far as where to go. We are moving out of state and my daughter was diagnosed as autistic at 3 yrs of age. We have her in a school program as well as a home based and feel she is no longer progressing. She will be 4 years in a couple of months. We have been doing speech and ABA. I have heard New Jersey is the best state to live in for autism. I feel for all parents because your life starts to revolve around that autistic child. I also have another child who is speech delayed and do not want him to fall through the cracks. If anyone could recommend where to look and visit it would be greatly appreciated. We are coming sometime in June.

email
phone: 440-543-3757 -desperate for answers

[kmansmom]

Where do you live? We are in middlesex county and have a 6 year old that is autistic. I'll give you any info I can

[kmansmom]

One more thing that will help you tremendously!! Join COSAC, center for outreach for the autistic community. Gives referrals and support. They will even do an IEP for you. good luck!!

[amb08824]

Your information about the South Brunswick Schools Autism Program is correct. They have one of the best teachers in the state with several who have been under her mentorship. I also have two special needs children who went through that system with great success. Unfortunately any time you are a parent of a special needs child you have to be on your game and aware of your rights since providing these services costs a school district extra money--great amounts of extra money, which use up a huge amount of the budget and they prefer not to make known to easily because people do move to the town just to take advantage of the services. The main reason school districts like South Brunswick and East Brunswick will offer programs is because there is a need in the community that is more extensive and having your own excellent program is a better financial investment than paying tens of thousands of dollars to pay tuition for and transport each student to the appropriate program.

I also know a close friend whose child did very very well growing up in Hamilton with the services she found. He is in his mid-teens and you would never easily identify him as autistic.

[yrgm]

A friend of mine was pleased with the Readington School District (sending district of Hunterdon Central.) Coupled with outside help and a strict gluton free diet, their son, now seven, no longer shows signs of Autism. I hope everything works out well.