Special Education Services-Autism (New York, Rochester, Albany: houses, school districts, taxes)

[VJFRN]

We are looking to move and want to go north. Currently we live in Maryland outside of Washington DC. We have two children, ages 9 and 6 and are looking for a town that is ideal for raising children in. We keep hearing how awesome the educational services are in NY for autistic children. I would love to hear from anyone (parent, teacher, etc) who has first hand knowledge on how New York is with Special Ed. Also, would love suggestions on what towns/cities to focus our search in.

Thanks for you help.

VJ

[stc123]

move to geneseo NY great small town 30 min from Rochester NY the school has hillside (hillside helps special needs children) the school is small i love the town. PS geneseo is in Livingston county. visit the town/village web site Geneseo, New York PS: about 10,000 people live in geneseo NY. here is the school web site Geneseo Central School (broken link)


PS: this school web site is temporary while the new web site is made. my son is in special Ed and they are great. the teachers interact with the parents a lot. hope this helps Shane. if you need anything else just ask.

[gshanemiller]

I suggest you consider Westchester --- in particular following along with the thread I started ``Westchester v. New Jersey" both under NY and a separate one under NY. According to Westchester Magazine (April 2007) Westchester spends between $21-50K per child per year in just instruction for special education kids. Again, see my other comments in that thread. To date I remain most impressed by what Westchester can do and can provide. More operationally, Westchester is better at communicating what it does well in local media and to its realtors who are looking to place people in houses. I'm interested in special education because my youngest has special needs --- for some inexplicable reason he was born with a host of physical and mental ailments which he's been very slow to outgrow.

[gshanemiller]

whoops: this: both under NY and a separate one under NY

should read : both under NY and a separate one under *NJ*.

[VJFRN]

Thank you so much. Now I have a starting point to work from.

VJ

[Sylviaoh]

I live in Ardsley, New York - which is in Westchester County - and now that the school district is well known county wide for their services.

And, Ardsley is a nice town - 35 minutes to NYC - nice people, reasonable housing

[D&T]

We live in a fairly rural area located about 2 hrs north of NYC and 1 hr south of Albany, in Greene County. Though our immediate county does not have specific schools aimed at the autism population, counties to the north and south do, but also our school districts are doing more and more to provide services for children 'in house' instead of sending them elsewhere. Of course, there are better districts than others when it comes to special ed services, and I strongly recommend you contact the districts you are considering ahead of time to find out what services are offered 'in house', what type of staff they have on hand, and also what degree of autism do they typically handle on site.

We have been fortunate enough to have made tremendous progress with our daughter through EI and continued therapy/ interaction with her at home.

I wish you much success in your search, and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Currently, there is a LOT going on in NY to increase funding for autism related disabilities and provide services to those in need. In many ways, it's like being a part of the foundation being built to shape the rest of our ASD children's lives from.

Best of luck to you! Hope this helps!

[all mixed up]

I live in Queens which is part of NY city, but is part of long Island. We have a son who is 4 with PDD NoS and he goes to a great special ed school. If you can afford to come to Queens or Long Island or any part of New York, I think you will be happy with the services you will get for your children. We always say the taxes are high and the are, but you do get something back in return for it. Good luck!

[hmez]

I too have heard great things about Ardsley's (NY) autism program. Fairfield County CT is also an excellent option do to public education efforts of local non-profit "Autism Speaks". Something to think about... You may want to contact local SEPTA (special education PTA) chapters. Other parents will be your best source of information. Good luck.

[dgaccino]

hawthorne country day school in hawthorne ny

my wife is the ceo

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