Elementary school for kid with autism in Bellevue (Redmond, Kirkland: elementary schools, live)

[Wag2006]

We are planning to move to Bellevue/Mercer Island/ Kirkland and Redmond area. My 7 years old son has moderate autism. Currently he is in self contained class room and I am not happy with the program. I need to know which elementary school has a good autism program with in those cities. And also if the school offers inclusion program or not. I have heard Mercer Island has a good program, but I don't know the specifics. Thanks.

[GraceKrispy]

I'm not able to help you specifically (but my posting will bump your post so maybe that's helpful)-- my son has autism, but he's really high functioning and is "mainstreamed" in classes with only a 504 currently. We're in Bellevue. I have heard that Newport High in Bellevue has a fantastic autism program, but your 7yo is a number of years away from high school. I will tell you, anecdotally, that there are a number of children with autism in Bellevue schools, and I've heard some suggest it has to do with the close proximity to Microsoft

Hopefully someone with more experience can help. It might also help to know what, specifically, you're unhappy with regarding his current placement. Does he currently get specific therapy you would like to continue?

[Wag2006]

Thank you for your reply. The district we are right now is very hard to get any service. I feel like they push in to self contained classroom before trying general education with a para. I am just tired of fighting to get every single thing. I am looking for school who is willing to include special needs kids in to the general education classroom with appropriate help.

[GraceKrispy]

If you can, I would consider calling the districts in which you are interested and talking to the director of special education about how they service children with autism.

I know the requirements for "least restrictive environment" are interpreted in different ways in different schools, and of course that's how they make the decision for placement (or how they should make that decision). In some cases, if the need for support in general education is extensive (a 1:1 para at all times during academic classwork, for example), a self-contained room where the child can be successful without constant support is considered less restrictive. We moved here when my son was in 6th grade, so I don't have any experience with autism services in elementary schools.

[jjinla]

My 8 yo has severe adhd with autistic qualities and I'll just say that compared to where we previously lived in NY, everything is a fight. The schools here are on a shoestring for the general ed kids...getting 1:1 aides is another unfunded expense that has a very low ROI. The best you can expect outside of self contained is a LRC/gen ed combo with some support. If your child needs 1:1 all day you'll have an uphill climb making the case for full inclusion.

Fwiw, we spoke to every district you mentioned and didn't find any of them to be much different than any other. Eventually you'll need to file for due process if you want more.

On the plus side, my son is doing very well and learning far more independence with much less support now then we were accustomed to, but last year was hard for both of us.