Schools - Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton

[Maggie45]

Hi. I moved to Palmerton 3 years ago from Jersey City NJ. The difference in the way you're treated in the school system is almost miraculous - I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. No one lied to me - no one gave me the runaround. My son has Asperger's - they actually accepted the modifications he needed in his IEP. He went through 5th grade in Palmerton Elementary which is an old building, but a nice school that is not overcrowded. They gave him support classes which were low teacher-student ratio and he was in a regular classroom for the rest.

I agreed to put him in a support class part-time in middle school and it worked out great. They mainstreamed him for science, and art, music, gym, etc. He's had the same sp ed teacher for the two middle school years plus an IU aide. In high school it will be much the same, just a different teacher. One exception is that they're going to make a sp ed gym class because Palmerton is all about sports and they're gym class is kind of competitive like dodge ball and volley ball - which my son and a few other kids aren't comfortable with. But these are the type of caring teachers and faculty they have there.

My grandkids both have autism. They have an autistic class in Palmerton Elementary so that's where my grandson is going. My daughter placed her daughter (who was totally non-verbal, in a different school in Panther Valley where she is doing well. They IU provides transportation and an aide). She may change her to Palmerton when she's older. Carbon county also has Youth Counseling Services over in Kunkletown on 209 who provide TSS workers who will come to the home and school and work with children with autism. For the most part, they have been just great. They work with my daughter's children 30 hours a week, provide parent training. It's great because my daughter has no friends here and is trying to do it all alone. Having someone with you at the park with 2 autistic kids is really helpful, believe me. Hope this helps. Also, waking up to that beautiful view of the mountain every morning is awe inspiring. - good luck - Maggie

[cathyde]

I'm just jumping in here...my DH just interviewed at Sanofi, and things are looking like we'll be making a move.
My son is 9, autistic and non-verbal. Selecting the right school is top priority, and the three schools mentioned (along with Pocono Mountain) seem to be the ones we'll be looking at for my kids (my daughters are 12 and just about 14).
We currently reside in Danville, which has an incredible autism support class (my son's teacher actually goes to other schools/districts and helps them set up their classes! Our class is a role model for others in our IU!) He's done so well there, I just want him to continue in a good program.

Please, any BTDT stories and advice would be greatly appreciated!

[lookin'for"home"]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner.
Thank you for so much information. I will be making it up to Palmerton/JT area soon. Just came back from Camelback and Wallenpaupack areas along with the surrounding Pike/Monroe and Lake Harmony- which I love.

The information about Palmerton is very encouraging. I love Blue Mtn.

Maybe I'll make it up for the West End Fair....