What is your dream autism school?
August 29, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Two grandmothers—Gillian Hutton, a former headteacher at Foresters Primary School, and Vail Sale, a former speech and language therapist—-have mortgaged their own homes to open an independent school for autistic children in Tadworth, in the UK. As described in today’s Surrey Mirror, Hutton and Sale founded the school, Papillon House, on seeing the lack of placements for autistic children who cannot be mainstreamed and who needed a school tailored to their learning needs. While the article does not clearly refer to what kind of teaching methodology that the school will use, the new school is said to have “state-of-the-art equipment [that] is designed to help the children”: This is described as a “mood room where a child can calm down” and also a “sensory theatre, soft play area and a brain gym.”
If you had the resources, would you start a private school for your child and other autistic children? What kind of school would it be? Or would you prefer to work with your school system and work on options with the district?
I don’t know about a dream school, but I’m going to every forum and organisation I can find to tell people about another school that literally tortures children with autism by shocking them with electrodes, withholding food, and many other means.
I recently read an article on the Judge Rotenberg Center, and the torture of the children that attend there, many of whom have disabilities like mental retardation, autism spectrum, or have a mental health diagnosis. To check the article out, go to http://www.motherjones.com and search for ‘School of Shock’. What I read there disgusted and horrified me.
Would anyone here be interested in writing a letter and signing a petition to let the US government know that torturing children regardless of disability or mental health is inhumane and not a ‘treatment’?
For those that live in the United States, here are the following websites that will give contact information to senators and representatives. Also, the torture school is located in Canton, Massachutsetts.
To contact Massachutsetts senators and representatives:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc&state=ma
To find contact information for your own state’s representatives follow the link below:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Aside from this, you can contact local advocacy groups and alert them to this issue. I’m already contacting other groups about this issue.
Letter writing and petitioning en masse will let legislators know that people are irate about this issue. If we can get local advocacy groups to spread the word about this torture more people will get involved. Who knows, maybe even a protest in Canton will come from it.
If we do nothing, then nothing will happen. At least if we do something, even something as simple as writing a letter or posting information on another forum to try to get more people involved then there is a chance that it will make a difference. We have the internet which gives us the ability to reach out and connect with millions of people and stop this child torture.
Shawnia
Sorry if this posts twice, I didn’t see the first response post, but here I go:
I don’t know about a dream school for autism, but I do know about a school that literally tortures children with autism by shocking them with electrodes and withholding food. I have been posting on every forum and emailing every organisation I could find that would have the potential to raise awareness and advocate for these children.
I recently read an article on the Judge Rotenberg Center, and the torture of the children that attend there, many of whom have disabilities like mental retardation, autism spectrum, or have a mental health diagnosis. To check the article out, go to http://www.motherjones.com and search for ‘School of Shock’. What I read there disgusted and horrified me.
Would anyone here be interested in writing a letter and signing a petition to let the US government know that torturing children regardless of disability or mental health is inhumane and not a ‘treatment’?
For those that live in the United States, here are the following websites that will give contact information to senators and representatives. Also, the torture school is located in Canton, Massachutsetts.
To contact Massachutsetts senators and representatives:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc&state=ma
To find contact information for your own state’s representatives follow the link below:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Aside from this, you can contact local advocacy groups and alert them to this issue. I’m already contacting other groups about this issue.
Letter writing and petitioning en masse will let legislators know that people are irate about this issue. If we can get local advocacy groups to spread the word about this torture more people will get involved. Who knows, maybe even a protest in Canton will come from it.
If we do nothing, then nothing will happen. At least if we do something, even something as simple as writing a letter or posting information on another forum to try to get more people involved then there is a chance that it will make a difference. We have the internet which gives us the ability to reach out and connect with millions of people and stop this child torture.
Shawnia
Thanks, Shawnia, I’ve written more than a few times–unfortunately—on the JRC and its uses of electroshock therapy—was it the Mother Jones article you read?
The problem with “dreams” is there is a “happily ever after”. In reality “happily ever after” take a heck of a lot of work. Preventing reality from usurping your “dream” school is the stuff that legends are made of.
Kristina,
I worry about dream schools that create false havens. We need the typical world to pay attention. Our children are here to stay and deserve the support and acknowledgement that every other child enjoys.
Nevertheless, I am in awe of the gesture which is herculean! How have we come to this? Aren’t we all eligible for human rights?
Public schools need to pay attention, sooner than later.
xRobin H. Morris
Public schools are bureaucratically controlled internally and politically controlled externally. Public schools create false havens for parents who entrust their children to them. The typical world and the typical public school is willing to spend hundreds of times more for legal fees to fight parents of ASD children then the actual cost of service for ASD children. The public schools have illustrated countless times over the course of history that they must me legally forced to do what is right. They have never lead the way in doing what is right for the children they are legally bound to educate.
Maybe it would be more accurate to say, what is one’s “dream education situation” for one’s child—
Hi Kristina,
Your words are remarkably thought provoking; I find myself reassessing my original opinions about issues you post. This particular question is nagging at me, in fact I responded in detail on my blog, linking to your post.
I do believe that it is a public school’s responsiblity to recognize autism as a powerful force, how else will the world know how to accept our children? I responded to those who challenge us.
“So what, I say. Let the bureaucratic world walk a mile in my shoes. A mother wants to simultaneously shield her child while giving him wings. A mother of an autistic child wants nothing short of the same.”
xRobin
The public school’s sole responsibility is to educate children. It is not the public school’s responsibility to dictate sociological norms, ethical norms, and religious norms. The public schools have repeatedly displayed time and time again that they will never be able to adequately parent a child. The society that expects a public school to parent to the children they teach is always weakened by that expectation.
Public school programs have more than their full share of drawbacks and limitations. One thing I do wonder about is how can all autistic students of all economic levels be provided for—won’t many end up in public schools? What about the autistic children of immigrants and lower-income famiiles in urban settings who do not have recourse to private schools and services. It seems to me even more imperative that we seek them with the best education that we can through the public schools, though it may not be perfect or one’s “dream.”
Good point Kristina, children born to lower income or immigrant family settings should benefit from services too.
The government shoud be proactive here. This is not a quick fix, but if a global effort is achieved, it will help our kids when they get older and approach the work environment.
Chuck wrote:
“The public school’s sole responsibility is to educate children. It is not the public school’s responsibility to dictate sociological norms, ethical norms, and religious norms.”
Other than on the last one (religious norms) and softening the word ‘dictate’ (I would suggest something between disseminate and encourage) I would disagree. Part of educating children is teaching them about the rights and responsibilities that come with being part of society. Building ‘good citizens’ has been an implicit – where not explicit – part of the public school agenda since the beginning of universal public education, in the U.S. and much of the world. In the Western world the rise of the nation-state and the introduction of universal public education went hand in hand. This is not the same thing as ‘parenting’.
Teaching tolerance and acceptance of diversity is a legitimate social goal, especially as societies themselves become increasingly diverse. At least in my daughter’s school this is stated as one of the benefits – for the entire student population – of inclusion.
If the schools are teaching tolerance, as you claim, then why are we having this discussion now and why did I and many other parents in many states and countries around the world have to build private schools from the ground up? I only things I learned about tolerance and acceptance I learned in public schools were not taught in the classroom, I continue to see this same educational techniques in public schools decades later.
Chuck, you’re reading words that weren’t written. At no time did I claim that schools (writ large) ARE teaching tolerance and acceptance.
What I wrote was that I disagreed with “It is not the public school’s responsibility to dictate sociological norms, ethical norms…”, after replacing the word ‘dictate’ with a notion somewhere between ‘disseminate’ and ‘encourage’, using the example of teaching ‘good citizenship’ to illustrate this. I was also tempted to go after the notion that inculcating sociological and ethical norms = parenting, but pretty much held off on that one.
What I also wrote was that “Teaching tolerance and acceptance of diversity is a legitimate social goal (emphasis added), especially as societies themselves become increasingly diverse.” This clearly disagrees with a more narrow definition of the word ‘educate’. What it does not do is say that schools ARE doing this, ONLY that it is a legitimate social goal.
Finally, I wrote that “At least in my daughter’s school (emphasis added) this is stated as one of the benefits – for the entire student population – of inclusion.” I have no idea whether the teaching of these concepts is being done effectively since my daughter starts school five days from now (although my neighbour’s family indicates that this is the case). I do know that this is seen by the school (stated separately by the principal, Kindergarten teacher, ASD co-ordinator, and representatives of the Board’s ASD support department) as a legitimate goal that they have a responsibility to implement. For my daughter’s sake as well as for others with ASD, I hope they do it well.
I cannot speak to your school district’s policies, whether they are teaching tolerance and acceptance, or even whether the teaching of these concepts is viewed as being within their mandate.
Instead, what I am saying (and which is where I disagree with your earlier comment) is that teaching tolerance and acceptance (which are sociological and ethical concepts) is definitely within the legitimate domain of ‘public education’, especially given the explicit and implicit goals that society has assigned to public school education. Whether schools are actually doing this or doing it well is a different question, and I think our answers may be much closer on this one.
Oops, I missed closing off the italics on a quote…
Sorry
What “explicit and implicit goals that society has assigned to public school education” gives the school systems defined thresholds of what is tolerable and what is acceptable? The law does not. My wife is a pre-school teacher in the public sector and we routinely have discussions on the failings of the public schools within our region, which is why we fought dearly to get him into private school.
I would suggest that the law does, but only in terms of ‘rights’ legislation and legal precedent. Beyond that, at least where I live the school curriculum is set by the provincial education ministries (equivalent of departments of education in your states) in the form of ‘guidelines’ that schools and school boards interpret and adhere to subject to the amount of discretion that they can muster.
To be clear (just in case), I’m not arguing that the ’school system’ universally does a good job of teaching tolerance and acceptance. Instead, I’m disagreeing with your point stated above that “It is not the public school’s responsibility…” At this point this is my only stated disagreement with what you have written.
Regardless of that responsibility and the effective, ineffective, or lack of exercise of same, you will get no argument from me regarding the right to educate your child in a private school if your child’s needs are not being met within the public system. I get the impression that you think otherwise?
I have created my dream school. I have a son who is now 5 with autism. I am an Early Childhood and Elementary School Teacher and My mom is a registered nurse and we created School of Autism. It is a sensory immersion preschool and kindergarten for children with ASD, PDD-NOS and Global Delay.
We have applied for Alternative School status and are going into our second year. We are adding 1st through 3rd grade over the next 2 years and more grades after that–every year–until we reach Pre-K through 12th grade.
Our families love our school. We are located in Portland Oregon. If you would like to help support the school you can purchase an Entertainment Coupon Book for your area by clicking http://www.entertainment.com/discount/?groupID=897084
We are currently raising money for in-home therapy equipment for our students. Visit us at http://www.schoolofautism.com
Hi, Kristina! I love this challenge – and posted my own response on today’s autism.about.com blog. Like so many autism moms, I’m not happy with the public education approach and have gone another route (homeschool, for the first time!).
Unlike the prior commenter, though, I don’t seem to have the collaborative talents to pull together a group and create a program that suits many different needs… I’ve tried more than once, but each time our differences have split us apart.
Frustrating!!
All the best,
Lisa Rudy
How cool are you? I just saw on the google news that you were on the About.com blog page with this question. So proud of one of my favorite bloggers (YOU)!
In regards to the question though, my answer is too complex, too long, and still a dream. I have to wait and see how the first day of kindergarten goes tomorrow!!!
Been awhile since I stopped by, so special “hi” to you and Charlie!
Hi Kristina,
Here in MN we are creating our dream of a transition focused secondary school. This has been a two-three year process which started with another parent and myself having a goal of starting a school that would better meet the needs of students/families who are living with autism. Our school will start out serving students in grades 6-10 and will add one grade per year up to age 21. We decided to create a charter, rather than private school and are currently awaiting approval from the MN Dept of Education. We have the passion, we found the talent and now we need the opportunity. If all goes as planned, the school will open one year from today!
I live in the states (NY). I went to public school. I never recalled anyone teaching the the school’s goal to teach “teaching tolerance and acceptance”. The public school system for general education teaches “academics.” For special education…sometimes it’s the sad case of “warehousing” the children until they age-out. My daughter attends private school where she her curriculum is 40% academics and 60% socialization skills. She would never receive this in a public school setting. And as we all know to well, you child can be an academic genious but is disconnected to the world…it becomes very challenging to navigate later in life. That’s what a dream school would be for me…focusing on the relatedness and socialization (well there are so many other issues).
I find it very disappointing that people need to opt out of public education to educate their ASD children. To be clear, I’m not disagreeing with the decision. My daughter starts Jr Kindergarten tomorrow afternoon. She attends IBI sessions (now publicly funded, previously privately paid, by us) at a private facility in the mornings and Kindergarten at a public school in the afternoons. Two years from now, once she reaches Grade 1 and full day schooling, we’ll need to make some of the same tough decisions that other parents have made, and we too might opt for private, if necessary. I’m hoping that we do not have to go private, but like others we’ll do what is in the best interests of our child.
To be clear again, I never claimed that schools (writ large, meaning ‘in general’) are teaching ‘tolerance and acceptance’, or are doing a good job in teaching ASD children. What I am saying is that it is their ‘responsibility’ to do so. But it is also my ‘responsibility’ to drive at or under the speed limit.
The issue with opting out is that it absolves the schools of their responsibility to educate our children, and lessens the exposure of non-ASD children to the opportunity to interact with and learn to accept ASD individuals. I’m not naïve enough to believe that if we send our children to public school that all schools will magically become enlightened centres of ASD education, or that the generation of kids that they attend school with will become models of tolerance and acceptance. Far from it. And even if this were the case, inclusion would still not be the best option for every ASD child.
But, opting out does lessen the pressure on schools to meet their responsibilities, and I’d hazard a guess that the parents of those who opt out are probably those who would be better than average agents for change if they had remained within the system and worked to make a difference from within. Opting out in some cases could reduce the pressure for change and deprive the push for change of some of its potentially most capable advocates.
Having said that, I completely understand why parents opt out, and we may be among those who choose to do so in the future. In a contest between the current needs of one’s children and the effort to cause long term systemic change that may not happen fast enough to benefit them, it is not surprising that those who can will often choose the current needs of their children first. It is not wrong to do so, but it is disappointing that this choice may be required, and sad for those who do not have this option.
It is more disappointing when something is required because you have no choice due to the school system giving you an IEP that leaves you no options other then sadness for your child. Some do not “opt out” they are forced out. School systems do not feel pressured to offer qualitative educational environments and settings to students with IEPs. I have routinely witnessed school budget meetings that pit the parents of athletes, special needs, GT, band, and ESL students against teachers, school administrators, and tax payers all vying for who should get the most and who should give the most. I have never been to a meeting where everyone has walked out happy.
Gee Chuck, it’s like you’re trying to find offense at every turn. “I find it very disappointing that people need to opt out of public education to educate their ASD children. To be clear, I’m not disagreeing with the decision.” What part of the words need to opt out make it sound like some sort of self-indulgent parental decision, as opposed to need to opt out?
Obviously you have had some bad experiences with the public school system, and unfortunately you are not alone in this. But it also sounds like you’ve completely given up on the possibility of any school (not just those in your area), any time, or any place, ever doing anything right, and further, that they have absolutely no responsibility to ever even try to do the right thing. As such, there is no point in trying to hold them accountable or trying to effect or encourage change. Instead, those with ASD children should abandon public education altogether, giving up on any attempt to try to educate their children there or trying to use the only ‘universal’ social program in existence to encourage tolerance and acceptance.
If you need to opt out because your situation is unworkable, and if your community is opposed to encouraging tolerance and acceptance via public education then so be it. (Do your schools not at a minimum have an anti-bullying policy, whether enforced or not? If so, is this not at least paying lip service to tolerance and acceptance?) If I lived in such a place I would opt out – or feel forced out – too. And if all the ASD kids leave then that just leaves more money for the band and football team (but since there’s no pressure, they’re probably doing that anyway). Sounds like win-win.
But some of us live in communities that do actively encourage tolerance and acceptance and where schools do occasionally try to do the right thing. The fact that you do not live in such a place does not mean that they don’t exist, just like the fact that I don’t live in your community also does not mean that your community does not exist.
I’m not saying that everything works well here, or that there are no problems or dissatisfaction with the school system. But there is enough going right here that I think it is still worth making an effort to work with the system rather than giving up on day one (actually it is probably day 450 – I called my local school and set up a meeting with the principal and ASD coordinator well over a year ago to start off on a good note).
We might still opt out if that is ultimately in my daughter’s best interests. But I’m not going in expecting the worst (as distinct from preparing for the possibility). That does not make your decisions wrong for you in your circumstances, but it does mean that they may not be the right ones where I live. You don’t need my school system or community to be as bad as yours to validate your decision, but it sounds like you think you do.
I’m reading everyone’s responses and can’t say how much I appreciate it learning from everyone—-school and education are my major concerns for Charlie (whose first day of school is today). Not enough that can be said about this topic.
And I do think that, while public education might never be perfect, we have to think of public school solutions because there are a lot of autistic children and a lot of educating needs to go on.
“you’ve completely given up on the possibility of any school (not just those in your area), any time, or any place, ever doing anything
right, and further, that they have absolutely no responsibility to ever even try to do the right thing.”
Pretty good summation of current history in the surrounding school systems. Within an hour drive there are public schools with metal detectors at every entrance. There are full time law enforcement officers at every high school and some junior high schools in the region.
“Do your schools not at a minimum have anti-bullying policy, whether enforced or not?”
My daughter says the policy is routinely not enforced. Only the more inane policies are routinely enforced. A very smart young man was expelled from school for preventing a friend from committing suicide with a knife at school. He was able to calmly and rationally talk her into giving him the knife. He put it in his notebook, ran to his locker and locked the notebook in his locker and ran back to be with the girl in a class they both attend. After class, the administration took him aside, searched his locker, and routinely expelled him due to their Zero Intelligence (er, I meant TOLERANCE) policy. He continues to be a shining example of no good deed goes unpunished.
“And if all the ASD kids leave then that just leaves more money for the band and football team (but since there’s no pressure, they are probably doing that anyway).”
Actually 10 full time students and 28 part time students make their three different school systems pay VERY dearly for them to attend our private school. These school systems routinely do everything they possibly can to get these children back into the public schools, except the right things. I continue to go to the public school budget meetings to be a thorn in their side and to illustrate all their weaknesses.
“I think it is still worth making an effort to work with the system rather than giving up on day one.”
We spent years trying to go down that road with both our children and it was completely fruitless. We will disagree heavily on this point.
“you’ve completely given up on the possibility of any school (not just those in your area), any time, or any place, ever doing anything right, and further, that they have absolutely no responsibility to ever even try to do the right thing.”
Pretty good summation of current history in the surrounding school systems. Within an hour drive there are public schools with metal detectors at every entrance. There are full time law enforcement officers at every high school and some junior high schools in the region.
“Do your schools not at a minimum have anti-bullying policy, whether enforced or not?”
My daughter says the policy is routinely not enforced. Only the more inane policies are routinely enforced. A very smart young man was expelled from school for preventing a friend from committing suicide with a knife at school. He was able to calmly and rationally talk her into giving him the knife. He put it in his notebook, ran to his locker and locked the notebook in his locker and ran back to be with the girl in a class they both attend. After class, the administration took him aside, searched his locker, and routinely expelled him due to their Zero Intelligence (er, I meant TOLERANCE) policy. He continues to be a shining example of no good deed goes unpunished.
“And if all the ASD kids leave then that just leaves more money for the band and football team (but since there’s no pressure, they are probably doing that anyway).”
Actually 10 full time students and 28 part time students make their three different school systems pay VERY dearly for them to attend our private school. These school systems routinely do everything they possibly can to get these children back into the public schools, except the right things. I continue to go to the public school budget meetings to be a thorn in their side and to illustrate all their weaknesses.
“I think it is still worth making an effort to work with the system rather than giving up on day one.”
We spent years trying to go down that road with both our children and it was completely fruitless. We will disagree heavily on this point.
Sorry,
I don’t know why it posted twice.
Encouraging Tolerance and Acceptance in Public Schools
Ian’s link is recommended reading, definitely.
As an autistic, I got a rather brutal treatment a public school, and had I not opted to learn martial arts and how to defend myself early on, I would have found I had a very limited safety being different. That’s not entierly fair; the school I attened wasn’t known for its high standards and a good policy regarding bullying. In fact, I’ve heard that later the current vice-principle actually stomped on an ASD’s child’s foot while trying to get her attention, causing a gash in the foot. In that regard, perhaps my elementary school wasn’t a fair shake. But I could see negative circumstances being replicated.
But there’s huge practical issues. For example, I spent some time going to a public high school, not as a student, but occasionally to pick up my sister and for various events. I found the environment, in all of its sounds and stimuli, to be incredibly stressful, not suitable as a place of existence, less than learning. In fact, even when I went to a private school (not for autistics, just a general private school), I found that stimuli was still an issue, though I dealt.
Some of it’s a larger issue of understanding; I think if people understand autism appropriately, there is less of that aspect of bullying. It’s also a huge issue with the public school system. As Chuck noted, there is a serious issue when the school is as painfully cookie-cutter as it is. There isn’t help that might allow for an environment with suitable social interaction while also giving the autistic (or “autie”, as I most recently read) basic rights.
On the other hand, as Ian said, there is a social understanding that schools exist to promote social values. And, so long they don’t compromise a sense of self, I don’t think that’s a huge issue. It’s ok to tell an autistic that certain actions are not welcome for another person. In fact, the autistic probably doesn’t understand they are doing any harm, and might even apologize and back away from that behavior.
I’ll admit, as an end note, that I never really found an education system that worked from K-12. I bounced from public schools to charter schools to private schools. In the end, I applied, and got into, a college for those who areready to skip two years of high school. And that took a lot of work and social understanding I wouldn’t expect exist in every autistic. So though it is working for me (though I can’t draw final conclusions; I’m typing from my first dorm room), I understand much has to be done, and it has to be done in context of the public school system; there’s simply to many autistics to now ignore.
Thanks for the reco Kristina.
Cliff wrote:
“…I understand much has to be done, and it has to be done in context of the public school system; there’s simply to many autistics to now ignore.”
I totally agree. While (again) there is absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing other options where available, and creating them where they are not, this does not absolve the public school system of the responsibility to educate ASD children, the majority of whom do not have another workable option.
I am opening my dream school for my child, and all of the other families that will be attending this Fall!
http://www.gilberthallschool.com/
if any one needs any help- email me!
I’ve been reviewing your site—-is the teaching methodology particularly based on RDI? Thank you for sharing about it!
yes, we are RDI and only RDI. Our school is founded by Dr. Gutstein and Dr. Sheely.
Thank you for your interest.
Not for profit-just for a purpose is our statement
Are you an NPS vendored school in LAUSD?
BTW, all schools are typically formed as non-profits. Please note, however, I read the tuition as being nearly $50k per annum if I’m not mistaken. But please do correct me if I am wrong.
No, we are not vendored by LAUSD.(My understanding is that it is difficult to have LAUSD pay for a private education).
The tuition is close to that. It is $39,570 to be exact. We have some scholarships this year, but not many.
We are a nonprofit research foundation RDRI(the school is just a small part of the work we do.)
What part of Los Angeles is the actual location? My son is going into Middle School and the school I want him to go to is brand new with hours of 8:30 – 3:30 and Tuesdays they go in at 10 am instead of early release for teacher meetings. This will be my first due process with two kids on the spectrum for ten years.
I homeschool my HFA son using California Virtual Academy and find it safer for him than the LA middle school campuses, especially for fully included kids. http://www.caliva.org
Bonnie
We are located in Culver City, right off the 405 freeway-on washington boulevard. School tours start in the summer.
Bonnie:
I was interested in using Calif Virtual Academy, but was unsure it was doable at the time I looked into it. Are you in LAUSD?
debbie:
For those of us who have been to due process and won NPS, it would simply be a switch from one NPS (ie private school) to another … if you were vendored. So, no, it’s not uncommon for LAUSD to pay for private education. There is an advantage to being vendored. On another note, I am very familiar with RDI and I have to admit I am loathe to get into another situation with having to do the “one thing” the “one experts” way. The whole marketing deal. There are parts of RDI I disagree with and that would be difficult to have to argue in a school environment on a daily basis. Gutstein is a psychologist, not an educator. In fact, RDI has never been peer-reviewed to my knowledge.
We live in Los Angeles, both kids were LAUSD. Nick is with CAVA and it is thru East San Gabriel Valley SELPA, West Covina School District.
We started with the online testing last year about March and at his matriculation IEP I told them it would be CAVA and they were clueless but that is what I asked and we did an IEP on the phone last summer and he passed all entrance exams for sixth grade and loving it.
There are several yahoo groups that I belong to where you can hear from many parents and lots have kids on the spectrum. I think one is k12users (that is for VAs and independent users) and then CAVA parents should produce others. You can email me and I can send them to you.
My son wants to do Los Angeles High School Magnet so we will do 7th and 8th grade of CAVA and hope he gets accepted. If not there is the San Pedro Magnet that is about animals.
Thanks for mentioning the location. I dont drive freeways. We are in Echo Park close to downtown.
Kids here in NJ who go to private school generally have tuition (which is usually much higher than $39,570 and $50K and that’s not included transportation costs) paid by the school district. (Of course, it’s not that the districts just agree to pay—know more than a few families who have been through due process etc.). There are also some county programs that are considered “out of district” but are not “private.” I don’t know of an RDI school here in NJ (yet); a school called Celebrate the Children uses Floortime.
I have a nine year old son.He has remained in one class for two years.Compared to children his age he is behind by two classes.He was intially rejected in two other schools.Teachers in his current school are trying but at one time some were complaining citing admission of children with special needs.
I am in Nakuru Town in Kenya. I would appreciate advise on how to start an Autism school.There is no good school in Kenya.
i know there are many parents who could be in the same position.
I will be resigning my job in August 2009 to work on modalities of starting the school.This is upon receiving the neccessary advise from people like you.
Ngeta, i also have a nine year old son who is autistic.
He is in a very good school in Nairobi called Fairmile School.The School was started about 21 years ago but few people know about it.
It a very good school and my son has been there since 2006.He has really improved.
For more information,contact me on 0722461078.