Best School Districts in the US for Autistic children (ideas, 10 year old, schools)

[cbirken]

I am seeking the best High school districts in Long Island, Suffolk Co. We are moving from the Chicago area, where my 16 yr old autistic son went to a fantastic private school, Clare Woods Academy and is just now moving back to his home school Oak Park River Forest High. At the HS, he will be in a mostly contained lower academic classroom, but with access to the arts, sports and esp. the theater groups. The HS has a Best Buddies club and a Special Olympics Basketball team, where my son really blossomed ( enough so for us to want to bring him back to his home school, versus one 35 miles away). Any suggestions most helpful- so far I see that Commack, Oceanside and Wm Floydd has Best Buddies, and Special Olympics as well at Wm Floydd. I haven't seen any info on the ones noted in previous thread ( Dix Hills/Melville/ Wheatley) or Elwood,Rocky Point or Northport. I have found that the larger schools have more tolerance of special needs kids in activities like theater.

[Donna76]

Everyone says Dix hills and i think, Half Hollow hills are good. I heard some "not so good things" about William Floydd.

[GypsySoul22]

I lived on Long Island and our district SUCKED for special ed. Plain and simple...they never diagnosed my son, they made us beg for services, it typically took four months till he got services...

Thanks to their poor services my son has issues today, specifically physical ones, that they could have addressed and worked on so he wouldn't be so behind today.

I won't name the district but it was between Bay Shore and East Islip...put 2 and 2 together...

Fast forward to our schools here in VT...now you hear a lot of negatives about schools here...depends on the district. Ours is WONDERFUL for special ed. The first year we were here, they diagnosed him as Asperger Syndrome...a top notch psychologist saw him a few months ago and we got a detailed report...He gets the services we agree on with the IEPs and they start on day one in August...not in November.

He has had some wonderful teachers. He went to a free summer school program this year and last.

The only thing keeping us in this area is the school district. If we leave, I have to find a place as good or better than our district.

[RUSSALENA RICE]

Where would you suggest me moving to for a great autistic school thats been around for a while. I would like the teachers who are very experienced and not straight out of college. My son is 11 years old with high functioning autism. MOM from Pa

[Lilymag]

Could anyone give me some specific areas in NJ that offer the best services for children on the spectrum?

[insearchofzen]

This is a great thread.

PDDNOSMomma - Why are you thinking of moving?? You seem to have fantastic services. My son has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS in New York City, and we have had to fight to get from 2 (!!) to 10 hrs of ABA SEIT time weekly, school-only and no extended services during breaks. Now we have resorted to hiring a lawyer to increase his hours, but it has been an uphill and expensive battle all the way. There are some great programs in this city, but you have to educate yourself about the process or they will steamroll over you.

[lulutink]

We are a military family. we were stationed in 29 palms ca. Our son is 6yr
old with autism. He's been attending Yucca Mesa elementary. He is quick to adaped, but is having problem doing so in this school. He's only been enrolled for 3 months and has come home with scratches on his face and arms. i also drive him to and from school, and dnt get me started with the bus drivers. I've seen him get pushed and shoved a couple of times and no teachers around. I am moving to orange county for this reason. i need a good school for him. Tustin, santa ana, or irvine area.

[IrishEyes167]

Hi,
I have a 7 1/2 yr old high functioning autistic son. We live in Orange County in Southern California.
Check out the Placentia-Linda School District. When we were looking for a place to move, a couple of our freinds who are ABA Specialists told us that The Placentia-Linda School District has the best autism program in Orange County. Living here, I agree with them. The services her are great. Look for homes in Placentia or Yorba Linda to get into the school district. Placentia-Linda is the Best, but if you can't get in here, Irvine is also pretty good.

[IrishEyes167]

Hi Lulutink,

A warning to you, don't move to Tustin. That's were I grew up. I tried raising my autistic son there. The preschool program was pretty good, but The Tustin School District has recieved a number of lawsuits from parents who were driven to those means, just to get their children the help they need. Santa Ana isn't much better. Might I suggest either Placentia, Yorba Linda or Irvine. The Placentia-Linda School District has the best autism program in Orange County. I was told this by 2 of our freinds who are ABA Specialists. If you can't get into the Placentia-Linda School District, The Irvine Unified is pretty good. They actually have a private autism school down there. It's not part of the School District it's self, but if you need extra special attention for your child that's always an option.

[IrishEyes167]

Hi,
My sister has taught in the Marlton, and Mount Laurel area of New Jersey and says there are some great programs there.