Aspergers and schools/support in Seminole County or Orlando area (private school, zoned)

[DreamingofSunshine]

There may be a job opportunity for my husband in the Orlando area. We have a daughter w aspergers (in regular classes/gifted...but needs some social supports in place) and another daughter also w an IEP for speech/math/language arts support.

How are the school services in Seminole County? Are other counties better? Are there local support groups for special needs children?

[DT113876]

I sometimes have gone to an adult Asperger's meetups, and they have regional meetings with government workers and discussions about Asperger's. So yes, there are lots of support groups out there for Asperger's.

I don't know about the schools. At the time I was in school, there was little awareness of Asperger's and I wasn't diagnosed until my 30's. I'm on disability now.

[Sgyk9]

Im interested in finding schools near the Orlando vicinity,that focus on auditory processing .....for high school students.....thanks paul

[sullysmom]

DreamingofSunshine I have a son on the autism spectrum and haven't seen that Florida schools are not great at all. The schools all teach to the FCAT that is the standardized test and it will be changed out for the PARCC test next year. I have been fed false promises. If your daughter has to have speech ot or pt get ready to fight of it or pay for it out of pocket. I recently pulled my son out of public school and put him in a private school.

[qdogfball]

Remember that if you have special needs, you can get an Advocate to make sure your children are getting the services they need.

Public Florida schools in general will work with special needs, but the services cost a lot. Administration will ALWAYS push to not give as much services.

So the squeaky wheel will get greased!

[DreamingofSunshine]

I am a strong advocate of both my daughters and have even gone through training which has given me the knowledge to advocate effectively. However, some schools are just terrible, some are great, and many in between. I would not want to purposefully put my girls in a school where I will have to FIGHT constantly to have follow through on their IEP.

How is Seminole County and are there specific schools that are known to be great or are known to be terrible to deal with?

Thanks so much!

[xtin]

Choices in Learning Charter school in Seminole County refused to admit my daughter based on her Aspergers so I would steer clear of them. Her zoned public school (Layer Elementary) was AMAZING with her needs. good luck!