Son has autism, husband a B-52 pilot... (Shreveport, Bossier City: house, transfer) - Shreveport-Bossier City - Louisiana (LA) -Bossier Parish, Caddo Parish, De Soto Parish - City-Data Forum

jojo61397 · 06-22-2010, 08:29 AM

My husband is a major in the USAF (hopefully up for promotion the next lt col cycle). I have two children, one child has moderate to high functioning autism. We were stationed in Minot AFB, ND, we were moved to Langley, because of lack of services in the Minot area. From Langley, my husband was picked up for IDE (major's school) in Dayton, OH. We will be here 12-36 months (we are applying for a PCS deferment, if we get the deferment we will be here for 24-36 months, if we are denied the deferment, we will be here for just 12 months). Because of services in Minot, and career path non-choices (my husband was volun-told on many different assignments), my husband needs to return to an airplane. We can't go back to Minot, so we are headed to Barksdale in the next 12-36 months.

I have been digging and digging and digging and digging, and cannot find any information (or very little information) on what kinds of services that are available in the Shreveport/Bossier Area for children with autism. Particularly,
1. What schools are the best school districts to live in with a special needs child?

2. Are there any ABA therapy places? Speech language pathology? Parental support groups?

3. I have heard some rumors about special needs in the school district, for example it's very hard to get your child in a SPED classroom, or mainstreamed. Is this truly the case?

4. Finally, how receptive are the schools/therapies/community to children with service dogs? We are in the process of obtaining a service dog for my child, and I would like to know if the schools are receptive to supports like service animals?

Tammy923 · 01-12-2011, 01:46 PM

ABA Services are offered at Little Works In Therapy Pediatric Clinic, located at 2522 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105. Number is 318-795-3388. They also offer Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy services.

spiritof68 · 01-12-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojo61397

My husband is a major in the USAF (hopefully up for promotion the next lt col cycle). I have two children, one child has moderate to high functioning autism. We were stationed in Minot AFB, ND, we were moved to Langley, because of lack of services in the Minot area. From Langley, my husband was picked up for IDE (major's school) in Dayton, OH. We will be here 12-36 months (we are applying for a PCS deferment, if we get the deferment we will be here for 24-36 months, if we are denied the deferment, we will be here for just 12 months). Because of services in Minot, and career path non-choices (my husband was volun-told on many different assignments), my husband needs to return to an airplane. We can't go back to Minot, so we are headed to Barksdale in the next 12-36 months.

I have been digging and digging and digging and digging, and cannot find any information (or very little information) on what kinds of services that are available in the Shreveport/Bossier Area for children with autism. Particularly,
1. What schools are the best school districts to live in with a special needs child?

2. Are there any ABA therapy places? Speech language pathology? Parental support groups?

3. I have heard some rumors about special needs in the school district, for example it's very hard to get your child in a SPED classroom, or mainstreamed. Is this truly the case?

4. Finally, how receptive are the schools/therapies/community to children with service dogs? We are in the process of obtaining a service dog for my child, and I would like to know if the schools are receptive to supports like service animals?

Shreveport has a pretty big medical community. I have a friend who was stationed at Barksdale who was transferred Peterson and is waiting to get out so he can go back to Bossier City. I'd think you'd find something there. From what I gather, that base is quite large. They don't have the services you seek?

Tammy923 · 01-16-2011, 06:21 PM

I posted earlier but spelled our clinic wrong. We, at Little Works In Progress Pediatric Clinic, do offer all the services you are looking for for your son. Please call our office and we will answer any questions you may have.

Homes For You · 01-16-2011, 07:25 PM

I replied to another post of yours but just learned that a friend has a special needs child in middle school in Benton and is thrilled with the help she has received. She moved here from Texas and her child started school there in September and she said the staff and school board has been wonderful. Contact the Bossier Parish School Board and inquire about what they offer. I will be happy to help you since I live and work in this community if you would let me know what you would like me to find out for you

caden_corbin · 03-08-2011, 12:45 AM

I have a son with autism. He has currently been going to the autism center in bossier. He does speech therapy at home through the state they have a nurse the comes to our house once a week. He has a great phycologist name Dr. McCormick he is located in shreveport. I haven't been able to find him a preschool yet. He was just officially diagnosed about a year and a half ago. He just quickly regressed once he hit 2 years old. And what is the service dog for? What would they do to help the child and how do you get one?

jojo61397 · 03-30-2011, 05:43 PM

Just an update, we have orders. We are coming to town May 1st to go house hunting. I do have some continuing questions about the best schools for my son and daughter. We are moving June 29th.

My son has moderate autism and is now diagnosed as cognitively delay and ADHD. My daughter is 5 years old and is being tested for the gifted talented program. We are looking at either Stockwell, or WT Lewis in Bossier, or going to University or Riverside on the Shreveport side. If we go to the Shreveport side, we are going to have my daughter tested for Magnet Schools. She is gifted in Math, Science, and Social Studies. Anyway, if anyone has any experience with these schools or the magnet system, any information would be helpful. We are going to buy a house, as we will be stationed at Barksdale for 5-6 years.

We do not have a service animal. A service animal helps a child with autism when they have tantrums. The dog will sit on the child, or sit near the child to provide comfort.

Newbiefed · 05-28-2012, 08:09 PM

Not sure why we're talking about sensitive information concerning your B-52 pilot husband or his promotion? Your main concerning should be your child and not whether or not your husband will get promoted. I sincerely hope SBC has good services for your child and that he does well.

SouthernBelleInUtah · 05-28-2012, 08:55 PM

The OP was almost 2 yrs ago, I am sure she worked something out by now.

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lizardspock · 06-09-2012, 11:32 AM

Just for posterity, (or in case the OP has not yet found out about it) I'd like to add that GREAT Riders is a fantastic program for kids with special needs. It's an equine assisted therapy program in Greenwood, but they do have a lot of other activities as well. This week is summer camp and they're doing arts and crafts, pet education, hippo therapy and grooming. The kids and parents love it.

http://greatriders.org/