High functioning autism in boston suburbs (Newton, Needham: live, professionals, moving to)

[particlewoman]

My 6yo with diagnosed with autism and adhd. He can and has been in a regular class but will just need some extra supports. How are Needham and Newton?
Thanks!

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by particlewoman

My 6yo with diagnosed with autism and adhd. He can and has been in a regular class but will just need some extra supports. How are Needham and Newton?
Thanks!

I don't have first hand experience with Newton, but my oldest son is on the spectrum and I'm often asking people that work with him if moving to another town would improve services and Newton is often a place I used to ask about. My understanding is their SPED resources have been a bit stretched in recent years by many special needs families moving to the town due to the reputation of the SPED program as being "good." At least, this is what I've been told by the private professionals that care for my son.

Needham I do have a ton of experience with their SPED programs as I've lived in the town for 10+ years and my oldest son who is 10 yo is on the spectrum although he is non-verbal and I would not classify him as high functioning. I've also connected with a number of other Needham-ites who's kids are on the spectrum. In fact, I started a Facebook group called "Needham Autism Parents" so that people could share local resources and experiences. Feel free to join if you're on Facebook. Back on point . . . people I know who have high functioning kids in Needham speak really well of the services here. All the SPED people are quite nice and caring IMO and they work hard for the kids. The town is pretty accommodating with supports as well IME. For my son though, he's not high functioning and non-verbal so there's a limit to what they can offer him and we're currently trying to out place him.

[stevepumpkinman]

Originally Posted by particlewoman

My 6yo with diagnosed with autism and adhd. He can and has been in a regular class but will just need some extra supports. How are Needham and Newton?
Thanks!

Needham - kids might be mean to the SPED kid (cousin got punched and kids were always putting him down, probably by the kids of rich parents), whereas in Newton kids might generally be nicer to the SPED kid - never heard anything mean done by the Newton kids. Needham might be stronger academically. Just speaking from personal experience. Your experience will vary, depending on the mix of students and staff, which changes year to year. If high functioning, I'd go with Newton; but if low functioning - I'd go with Needham like previous poster said. Good luck.

[particlewoman]

Oy, this makes me so sad and nervous. We're moving to Needham so hopefully it's ok.

We're definitely a little nervous about the cohort of wealthy individuals and how that will play out.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by particlewoman

Oy, this makes me so sad and nervous. We're moving to Needham so hopefully it's ok.

We're definitely a little nervous about the cohort of wealthy individuals and how that will play out.

I find the people of Needham to be quite friendly. I have three kids one of which has severe special needs. Bullying has never been an issue for any of my kids.

[stevepumpkinman]

Originally Posted by particlewoman

Oy, this makes me so sad and nervous. We're moving to Needham so hopefully it's ok.

We're definitely a little nervous about the cohort of wealthy individuals and how that will play out.

I think it depends on the cohort of students you get during your class year. Plenty of Needham kids are friendly. It just takes a few kids to set the culture and others to copy the bullying behaviors. But I've witnessed it myself. My cousin was talking to himself and said, 'I win!' Out of nowhere this tiny kid walking with his dad told him, 'You lose!' absolutely for no reason, but to just contradict him and put him down.