Autism Community (Sarasota, University, Fruitville: houses, theater, preschool)

[copswife1125]

Hi! My family and I will be moving up to Parrish over the summer. I'm the mom of a 5 year old autistic girl and an 8 year old gifted son. We're leaving Broward county so my daughter can attend Pinnacle Academy in Lakewood Ranch, and I want/need to meet other autism mommies. Would like to know what sort of autism community there is in Manatee county. Please fill me in! Thanks so much!

[TamRE]

My grandson is autistic and goes to Sarasota County Schools. They live in nothern Sarasota county. My daughter-in-law has tried to find autism activities to be involved in and has really had no luck. She communicates with the parents of the kids in her son's classroom. They invite each other over to their houses for birthday parties and play time. She got her son into Karate and he absolutely loves it. They have sleepovers there and it gives her free time.

[sjpnv]

I know that "Play Away" (it's like a My Gym or Gymboree Play & Music) has weekend classes for special needs children including autistic children. Sounds like the program (which runs on weekends) has done well! I would give them a call to find out when the classes are. You'll probably meet people that way!

Play Away Children's Fitness and Fun Centers - Locations

[angelfish]

My son attends Pinnacle, I think you will be pleased with what you find there. There are a lot of resources in the area, the Center for Autism Resource and Education is a good start, as well as a program at USF. Someone mentioned Play Away, and Bounce U has a sensory Bounce as well. There are sensory friendly movie shows once in a while at different theaters. Therapeutic Horseback riding is great for the children, my son took his last lessons at a center in Parrish. We have another surf event coming up soon for the kids (you will get info at Pinnacle) and the IPG playgroups this summer for social skills.

Lot's going on and you will find it much easier to connect and find out about different things available in the area in a specialized private school. If you get active in the school it is most enjoyable and rewarding, there is a lot of support in our PTO (please come out to a meeting and see what we are doing!) and we have become close with many families. This coming school year will be our last there before our son is mainstreamed for kindergarten, and we are just overwhelmed by the incredible teachers, therapists, and staff at the school that have worked with our child for the past two and a half years. We are so excited for what the future holds.

[copswife1125]

Thank you so much for replying! Ever since my daughter was diagnosed, I've found it much easier to be friends w/ other autism moms. I'm actually the PTO president at my daughter's preschool, which is a public preschool for autistic children (it's part of Nova Southeastern University here in Broward). We have a C.A.R.D. center @ Nova as well. It's good to see that what's here is also available there. We just had our Surfer's for Autism event last week!

So it sounds like you'll still be at Pinnacle for 2011-2012. Amanda will start kindergarten there; she's not ready for mainstreaming. Hopefully, in a couple of years or so. We're excited to send her to school there, though and thankful for the opportunity to do so!

Originally Posted by angelfish

My son attends Pinnacle, I think you will be pleased with what you find there. There are a lot of resources in the area, the Center for Autism Resource and Education is a good start, as well as a program at USF. Someone mentioned Play Away, and Bounce U has a sensory Bounce as well. There are sensory friendly movie shows once in a while at different theaters. Therapeutic Horseback riding is great for the children, my son took his last lessons at a center in Parrish. We have another surf event coming up soon for the kids (you will get info at Pinnacle) and the IPG playgroups this summer for social skills.

Lot's going on and you will find it much easier to connect and find out about different things available in the area in a specialized private school. If you get active in the school it is most enjoyable and rewarding, there is a lot of support in our PTO (please come out to a meeting and see what we are doing!) and we have become close with many families. This coming school year will be our last there before our son is mainstreamed for kindergarten, and we are just overwhelmed by the incredible teachers, therapists, and staff at the school that have worked with our child for the past two and a half years. We are so excited for what the future holds.

[dijolee]

A new place opened recently in Sarasota on Fruitville Road. It's called Sensory Solutions and they offer therapy and fun stuff for kids including birthday parties and camp stuff in the summer! Here is their website for more info: www.sensorysolutions.org

Good luck with everything!!

[copswife1125]

@ dijolee: Thank you for the info. I will definitely investigate!

[Sunshinejack]

I know the woman who opened Sensory Solutions, she is really great and very dedicated. I do not have any ties to autism, but wanted to let you know about her. I think you would really love her.

[andrea lee]

How are the public schools- Sarasota high school in particular-for kids with autism? thank you for any advice-
Andrea

[DeanDalton]

http://http://autismmx.org/

No branch here but still a great organization.