Any schools in Columbia area good for aspergers (Irmo, Lexington: middle schools, living)

[Lindalou76]

Does anyone know of any schools (middle schools) in the Columbia area (all surrounding areas included like Irmo, Lexington ect) that would be good for a child with aspergers? We just keep getting one school after another that is sadly not living up to expectations. I love what Glen Forest has to offer, I only wish it wasn't almost $20k a year, which i can't afford right now. I really feel a smaller class size is what is ultimately needed, unfortunatly the "normal" class size seems to be 20+ and the teacher seems stressed because there are other children in the classroom with "issues" besides mine, but mine is usually the only one diagnosed. Am i fooling myself that we will find this in a public school setting? I'd like to move to another state, however, my job and my husband's job are in SC so we are going to try to make it work here before we totally relocate.....again! lol Thanks for any info anyone can offer

[Walesh]

I don't live in columbia anymore but worked as a Behavioral therapist for autistic children while I was there. If your child is in a mainstream classroom there will always be thirty kids in a room and yours might possibly get a shadow for part of the day but I can't imagine them getting much special help from the teacher. If they are not mainstreamed I would go for lex/rich 5. They have a fairly decent program. There are some lexington schools that are good, but some of the special ed programs are oversubscribed.

[Joe the Photog]

We love the Lexington/Richland 5. Irmo Middle and Crossroad Middle has done wonderful with our AS child, especially Irmo Middle when he was first diagnosed. (Irmo Middle is 6th grade only while Crossroads is 7th and 8th.)