Roanoke county schools and autism (Salem: home, school districts, moving)

[4makena]

My husband and I are wanting to relocated to Roanoke County. We have a son, 5, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He is fairly high functioning, currently in a typical preschool classroom with supports. Can someone fill me in on their experiences with the Roanoke county schools and the services they provide to kids on the spectrum? Any specific elementary school better than the others in the area? I so appreciate your help as going from a system I know and am familiar with to a new one is a little scary and overwhelming.

[mccamp]

Friends of ours have a son with autism. Like your son, he's high functioning and needs some support. (The little boy is now 7 and is making leaps and bounds, by the way.) They have him in the Southwest County schools. Depending on how he does, they may keep him there--or they may move to Salem, which apparently is wonderful for older autistic kids.

The one criticism I've heard about the Southwest County schools is that they are wonderful if your kid is a genius (lots of programs to keep them challenged), or if they need a lot of help (autistic kids who are not high functioning). If your kid needs just a little bit of help, they sometimes fall through the cracks.

Please note that I don't have kids in the school system yet. Our son is 3 and in preschool. But these are the opinions I've heard from other moms.

When we first moved here, I actually called the schools and spoke with the administration and asked all kinds of questions. They took the time to give us valuable information about the schools, their programs and even what they need to work on. They were honest and forthcoming. I'm sure if you called, you'd receive the same reception.

Many blessings in this decision. Autism is tough and it seems that our friends are always having to fight for their son. (Actually, that's why they moved to Roanoke. They figured they'd get better attention in a smaller city. They were right.) I hope that your road is smoother.

[4makena]

Thank you so much for your quick response. Do you mind if I ask where you moved from? We would be moving from St. Louis. Also, are the schools in Salem part of Roanoke County...the best I can figure is that there is Roanoke County schools, Roanoke city, and city of Salem. Is that right? Thanks again for your help.

[mccamp]

I grew up in St. Louis! (Where did you go to high school?) I moved to the great Northeast a while back, met and married my husband and then talked him into leaving... (We moved here from New England...)

As for as I know, Salem has their own school system. Salem is considered a typical southern town. (For reference, think St. Genevieve, Missouri. Small wonderful town that doesn't want to change--if people from St. Gen want to see change, they go to St. Louis, come home and hope things stay the same.) That's my impression, at least. There are others on the forum that know more about it. We're still relative newcomers to town.

[4makena]

So, how has the transition been? How long have you been there?

[4makena]

We will be visiting at the end of April. Any other school districts that we should check out, that are great schools and have done well with kids on the autism spectrum? Thanks so much for everyone's help.