Autism schools and services; Naples or Tampa? (insurance, neighborhood)

[King king]

Where are providing better services? Where in Tampa will have good service?
What about school and service for 12-18 years kid and young adult?

[algia]

Its not the "better", its the availability. The "providers" themselves such as speech, behavior, etc are good...getting to them is the problem as some have very long waiting lists. Occupational therapy is THE WORST. The waiting lists are years long. We definitely need more providers in that area.

Naples is a LOT smaller, so I don't think they have much support. In Tampa there are services available, some covered by CMS (Children Medical Services, supported by the state, and based on income eligibility), or you get whatever your insurance covers, and then you have private schools. USF has a whole department that handles this, but they are VERY expensive without insurance. Like $900 for one hour of speech therapy. (As if we, the parents, have to be punished for the kid's condition, but let's not get me started on that one) ADHD medication costs $230 for 30 pills without insurance.

It depends a lot of how aggravated the condition is; low functioning, high functioning. High functioning is usually mainstreamed in public schools FYI.

Originally Posted by King king

Where are providing better services? Where in Tampa will have good service?
What about school and service for 12-18 years kid and young adult?

[MortonR]

In Tampa, high functioning would be in an inclusive environment at their neighborhood school, moderate to severe would be at an "exceptional center" or a charter school such as Pepin Academy.

RM

[Sunandshine]

naples? for children....are you crazy.... naples is a big retirement community with nothing but old people and snowbirds who are also old people. They are also wealthy old people who are extremely snobbish. You do not want to be in Naples.

Tampa hands down

[Anything4Sam]

I currently live in Naples & all of the above comments are pretty dead on. My little girl is 6 & considered high functioning which is ridiculously tough when she falls into this grey area no one knows how to address. There are a handful of good private schools but even with the McKay Scholarship between $8-10,000 would have to come out of our pocket. Nevermind the lack of knowledge & affordable programs here in naples. The bigger the city the better. Money talks here.