Private Schools for Kids with Autism: What's Your Opinion?
We visited two or three schools - each described as "small class size, focused on individual needs," and several described as specifically focused on special needs. We applied. Across the board, they told us (without ever seeing Tom) that they couldn't help us. His diagnosis was not LD (learning disabled) - it was autism. They couldn't do a thing for a child with autism.
Then, we looked at the private schools for kids with autism. Two were for children much more profoundly disabled than Tom was. One was an hour away - and tuition was $50,000 a year. Another, which sounded terrific, was a good two-hour drive! And so... we gave up.
That was many years ago, and since that time many more schools for children with autism have sprung up. Most are extremely expensive - and all are very, very specialized - offering just one kind of therapeutic approach, for example, or catering only to children with Asperger syndrome. I recently heard from a private school that uses a therapeutic approach invented by the school's director!
I have written a bit about private schools for autism, and created links to directories. But from what I can see, these articles and links are rarely visited.
So I'm curious about your opinion. What do you think of specialized, autism-only private schools? Are you interested in learning more about what's out there? Have you had a good or bad experience with private, autism-only schools - or have you been able to include your child in a generalized private setting? Share your thoughts!
Comments
I know many private schools that don’t acquire federal or stae funding, IDEA isn’t what they’d have to follow.
I think if one can afford a private school, why not? I’m not sure that the child’s outcome would be better though. Parents should never solely rely on the school for a child’s full intervention. I think a balance of maybe public school and private therapies is a good option for those that cant afford the tuition of a private school.
I myself wouldn’t want a student body to consist of only disabled children. However more and more, Charter schools are popping up all over the country that are based and specific to autism, which is another choice for parents and not an out of pocket expense. In MN, there’s a school opening soon and there’s Fraser that has a Charter school as well.
My son goes to a Charter, not specific however to autism and the special ed consists of many disabilities. Their special ed dept. is also great and until my son went there, I had no idea the true meaning of an IEP ‘team’ of which I am a part of LOL!
I have 2 sons with Autism who attend special schools - publicly funded. Especially during their younger years I felt that they greatly benefited from the 1:1 ABA therapy that they received. Now that they are getting older - ages 8 and 10 - I’m finding that their needs and abilities are changing. My older son has much more limited skills and I would like to see more of a focus on social and self-help skills (to help keep him safe in his adult life) and for my younger son I would like to see at least some inclusion with more typically behaving children but unfortunately the public schools can not meet his needs (understaffed and overcrowded classrooms - they feel he would simply be overwhelmed in any inclusionary setting and would regress). I would like to see some balance between complete segregation and inclusion. Overall, for the younger years I am glad that they had the benefit of 1:1 in a small, private classroom with up to 3 other children as they got older (but also with 1:1 help). Fortunately these programs are funded by our local public school and state funding. Because we have such specialized schools, the public schools do not feel the need to develop their own Autism programs - so unfortunately when the time comes for inclusion - unless your child is performing at grade level and able to learn in a busy classroom (and sit still for that long!!) then they have no chance to be taught with typically developing childen. Pros and cons. Thanks - Cindy
I believe that some autistic kids must be educated in a special environment due to behavior, limited verbal ability, lack of awareness of social situations, and, in our case, cognitive deficiency which greatly impacts the child’s ability to learn and carry out activities of daily living. Many public schools do the best job they can trying to educate these kids in a mainstream environment, but in some cases, mainstream means the autistic child has no comprehension of what is going on both academically or socially, clearly making a public school not the most appropriate environment for these kids. While there are various degrees of functioning on the spectrum, I would like to see kids with average intelligence and limited behavioral issues included, but I think that those who will not learn basic language or life skills in a public setting must be allowed to be outplaced to a special education environment. These schools also have problems, such as kids imitating the poor behavior of peers, and some teachers being more capable than others, but that being said, I think putting an ASD kid with Intellectual Disability in a regular classroom is purely wasting the valuable time a child has to learn the fundamentals. Every child is different and should be regarded as such. Some kids are able to keep up nicely and work at grade level while others remain frustrated and lack self esteem due to their surroundings not being appropriate for their needs. I believe public school districts owe it to those kids who require outplacement to give them a chance at learning their way and trying to succeed in their world. My child struggles even in sp ed school, but has a better sense of self knowing she is like her peers. This is a very important issue for our kids and the districts should not put $$$ above the needs of the child.
My son was in public school until we came to AZ. He is now in a special school funded by public school district. This came about after a terrible year in public school and the district finally admitted they did not have the resources or the staff to help educate my son. I was sad that this came about but it has been nice that I am no longer fighting everyday for my son. Has he done better in this enviroment maybe. Would I start out my son in this private enviroment the answer is no because there is no interaction with “normal peers”. I fear society is in for a shock when kids like my son will have to survive in our communities as adults. Isolation of the autism population is not the answer. I have found the in general more people know about Autism and show a more gentle approach after I say “Welcome to Autism Land.” Joyce in AZ
I just found this site/article. I live in Virginia which seems to be the outcast State in re: to Autism because there doesn’t seem to be anything available for my son who is now attending public school and due to “no child left behind” even though he really isn’t maintaining the ideal level they are passing him to 2nd grade…. Please any help on where I can find a school that understands and respects these types of kids would be appreciated. I’m literally at my last rope.
Laura