Special needs school options for my 6 yr old some with autism -non verbal (Plano: credit)

[wdjmom]

My employer is moving to the Plano area and we are very concerned about the school for our young son, age 6, that is non-verbal (he has emerging language now). He is very smart and has great receptive language but needs has needs. Today he has a 1:1 aid and requires sensory breaks. He may take a little longer but he does all the activities from writing to doing art work. We have looked in several areas - Highland Village, Southlake, Westlake, Flower Mound, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Carrolton. We are looking for a family community and a home with enough space for a yard, pool, and outdoor play items as our son looks for vestibular and proprioceptive inputs. We want him included and mainstreamed as much as possible and want to make sure he receives an education not a place for childcare. Any suggestions you have would be welcomed. Thank you

[richard88]

Different states & even cities can have very different support in terms of Special Needs Classroom. Also, each family can have different experience and needs for their kiddos. It also depends on the teacher you got for that year ! If you have not done so, I highly suggest you come down here and arrange visits and chat with the principals & lead teacher of the school & classroom you narrowed down, which I did 5 years ago, and I find it so useful as it is such a big decision.

[Cryptic]

Grapevine has a special needs preschool that includes autistic children. I have heard good things about it. My children were enrolled there as behavior models. I wish I could provide more details about the impacts of their programs for autistic children, but I was satisfied with their programs from my perspective.

[masonsmom4]

Lewisville ISD has a Special Education PTSA that I found a great deal of information from when we moved here last year. You don't have to be a member to access the resource/provider directory or post on the message boards. As richard88 said everyone's experience will be individualized and you will probably find people satisfied and unsatisfied in every district. As for our family, Lewisville ISD has been the best school we've ever been in (and we've moved a lot). I give 100% of the credit to the teacher who understands and knows what her students need and an administration who supports the teachers.

I don't know the rule on posting links, but if you google Lewisville Special Education PTSA you should find it.

Good luck! Trying to be sure you land in the right place for a special need student is hard. It's a stressful decision to make when you don't feel like you have all the information you want.

[wdjmom]

Thank you for responding.

[wdjmom]

Update, we hired an education consultant in the metro area and she was able to breakdown the different districts. As stated by Masonsmom4 Lewisville had many resource, a directory and contacts to speak with in the summer (school is out so it makes it difficult to speak with someone). After shopping for houses the answer was simple, our son did not want to leave the house with the big grassy yard as he ran and loved the trees and pool. We made an offer and will be calling Flower Mound or home and will be part of the Lewisville ISD.

Thank you all for your help.

[Rakin]

Thanks for the update. FM is one of my favorite cities and very family friendly.

[masonsmom4]

Congratulations! I hope you love your new school