Who Do I Contact in order get my 4 yr Autistic child in school? (Seattle: school district)

[MrsClintA]

My husband and I are trying to do our research about the Seattle area. He's applying for job with Amazon.

We have 2 children with Autism. Our 5 year old is currently in a preschool class, ready for all day Kindergarten next year with special education support. The other is 4 and nonverbal, he goes to a special school that deals with nonverbal kids with autism, downs syndrome and such.

I'm wondering who we need to contact to get our 4 year old in the right school? He's got a current IEP and I have copies of all the drs. notes and evaluations he's had since we moved year about 2 years ago. I know that he's past the "Early Intervention" point, so I'm just confused as who I should contact to find him the right placement in school, hopefully sometime before we will hopefully be moving.

I understand that The Haring Center is good. As well as Lake View Autism Center (Which we more than likely won't be able to afford the tuition for).
Lakeview School District is good for students with special needs too? I'm just not sure they have the programs available to support a nonverbal autistic child.

[modc]

Hi,
Are you looking for a private school or a public school for your 4 year old? You mentioned The Haring Center and Lakeview Autism Center so you are looking for private school? The Kindering Center in Bellevue has an excellent early intervention autism clinic and they may be able to help you find a private preschool or they may even have one at their center. If you live in Seattle, you might want to contact University of Washington's autism center for recommendations.

If you are looking for a public school and you have an IEP you would want to contact the registrar at the elementary school that is zoned for where you live. They will provide you with the required services and information. The evaluation process and appropriate placement for a child with special needs doesn't usually get started until parents are actually living in the district.

It may be possible to contact the special education department of the public school district you might live in and ask about the process and if they have programs to support your child.

[bluefeather1978]

I am looking for public schools for my 3 year old with developmental delays and have found most of the school district special ed departments to be very forthcoming with information when contacted directly (we are not yet living in the area !). I've contacted Seattle public, LW, MI, Bellevue and Issaquah. All of them have their own websites and the email id's can be found on them.

[MrsClintA]

Thank you Modc . I am looking for something public, because I'm not sure if we'll be able to afford anything private. I had no idea Haring Center was private, I knew that Lakeview Center was though. You've given me some information to bonder and I appreciate that.

Bluefeather... Thank you! It's good to hear that the schools are open with communication and willing to help find the appropriate placement for special needs kids! I'll be calling around...Thank you!