It really varies state to state and the age of your child. We live in Michigan and have a 3.5 yro autistic son. He received early intervention services and now attends a special needs preschool 4 days a week. Both are state funded. Next year he will be attending an inclusive toddler school, also state funded. University of Michigan has excellent doctors and therapists as well.

I have friends with autistic children in Chicago and Maryland as well. They too have superior services (better than Michigan’s)!

As I stated previously, it depends on the state and the city as well. The more autistic children per capita, the better the services(In my opinion).

Best wishes!

While special ed varies from state to state, especially with autism, I think it is critical that the parent be willing and able to go to the mat–and really fight for the best interests of their child. In Florida, there are volunteers who will help parents navigate through the IEP process, but it isn’t something that the schools tell you about upfront. As far as specific programs, in my particular school district there are four schools at the elementary level, two at middle school and 1 high school that classes specifically for autistic children. However, moderately autistic children, like my son, function better and achieve more in a varying exceptionalities classroom where they have a greater opportunity to obeserve other children who have strengths in areas where they struggle and weaknesses in areas where they can excel.

It varies from state to state, school district to school district. There are various types of programs and services, just as there are varied needs. I’m sure you realize that programs for autistic kids are not “one size fits all” propositions. Some need a very specialized program with a very high ratio of staff to students, while others need much less. Not all autistic children need the type of segregation that a regional center implies.

The important thing for you is that you find and your child receives the type of services he needs. So, if you are considering a move to another state, call the local education agency and find out how they deliver services to kids like yours.

The school is not refusing to provide services, it is just not providing them in your son’s district or school of residence. It is not uncommon for several public school districts to “pool” their special education students because the districts do not have the resources to have several small classes in each district. This often happens in smaller districts, especially with low incidence handicaps. Your son will probably ride the bus that picks up other children of his age in your neighborhood and he will be taken to a central location and take another bus to the school he will be attending. This is how I have seen it work in the districts that I have been in. I think that the only thing that you can do to prevent this scenario is to move into an area where the enrollment is large enough that special education students are served in their local building. Good luck– Schools can’t refuse to provide services, but they can bus a child to a setting that has the services available.

Hi, In Queensland (Australia) there are good special schools and not good ones. The problem with many schools is that there are few special education trained teachers and even fewer that can facilitate. Funding is a major issue. Facilitation is still veiwed with suspiscion and doubt. So when the child/adult uses FC it is a constant battle for them to get a good education. A principle recently told me they do not teach age appropriate!!.

Many FC users, parents, carers, speech, ot etc are forming together strong ties to try and change the attitudes and they are winning, but slowly. There are other states in Australia that have special schools for autism, but are few. I realise DH was looking for schools but just wanted to share info on Australia.

Don’t come to Pennsylvania. The educational system is so messed up. There isn’t anything you can do like what your asking for. If I had money I’d have moved out of state a long time ago.