Is anyone familiar with the austism programs provided for children in Orlando Fl?

Question

My husband is considering taking a job in Orlando this spring but before we decide whether or not to go, I'd like to know what the Education Progam for autistic children is like.

Can someone here help me with this?

Answer 1

Here's a link try these guys

http://www.ceatni.net/clinicalTeam.asp

Hope they may be able to help you

Answer 2

I don't live in Orlando, I live in Kissimmee (just south of Orlando) and have an autistic son who is 3 that was recently diagnosed. I'm still learning about the programs in the area but would like to share what I do know and hopefully will help you out a bit.

We are in the Osceola County school district, and Orlando is in Orange County. The school board here has programs for Speech/Language Therapy; Specific Learning Disabled; Mentally Handicapped; Emotionally Handicapped; Gifted; Physically Impaired; Hearing Impaired; Visually Impaired; and Autism.

The program for children with autism is designed for students with limited ability to understand, communicate, learn, and participate in social relationships.

The instructional program for these students emphasizes behavior modification, communication skills, socialization skills, independent living skills, vocational training, and functional academics.

Referrals to this program are reviewed by the child study team. The process includes observations, collecting and reviewing data and implementing interventions. Students referred undergo a series of tests administered by the school psychologist and speech therapist.

Preschool Education Evaluation Program

Children from three to five years old may be referred to PEEP for screening, evaluation, and possible educational placement in an Exceptional Student Education program.

Children birth to three are provided services at the Howard Phillip's Developmental Center in Orlando or in their home, depending on the severity of the disability and the individual need.

Educational services are provided for children ages three to five who are identified as speech/language impaired, hearing impaired, visually impaired, dual sensory impaired, physically impaired, mentally handicapped, emotionally handicapped, autistic, or developmentally delayed. Full-time educational services are provided five days per week at a centrally located school. Related services may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services, and/or speech/language therapy. Children with speech/language impairments may be eligible for part-time or full-time services.

The emphasis of the preschool program for children with disabilities is the development of cognitive, language, motor, social/emotional, and self-help skills in an educationally enriched environment.

The Homebound or Hospitalized program

is designed for students who are unable to attend school due to a medically diagnosed physical or mental condition which requires home or hospital confinement and restricted activities for an extended period of time.

Voluntary Pre-k

which is a 1/2 or full full day program available at various schools. The teachers have 4 yr college degrees and are certified in early childhood; full time paraprofessionals in each class; low teacher/calss ratios; they learn literacy skills, math, science, social studies, and social skills.

21st Century Community Learning Centers (S.P.I.R.I.T

Students Participating In Recreation and Instruction Together)which is offered at participating schools before school, after school, weekends, and during summer at no cost to students. They offer:

Homework Assistance: All students in the program are offered Homework assistance at the begenning of the program and a snack.

Read 180

Reading Classes

Compass

Math Facts

Family Fun Nights

Cooking/Nutrition

Running Club

Sports

Fitness Class

Lifestyle/Nutrition

Remedial Reading

Remedial Math

FCAT Explorer

Tutoring

Compass Learning Odyssey

Learning.com

ESOL Assistance

Recreational Activities

Art

Arts & Crafts

Dance

Drama

Photography Classes

Mentoring Classes

Marine Biology

Geo Art

Music (Jazz, Drum's, Guitar, Piano varies by site)

Media Production

Scholarshop

Basketball

Field Trip

Karate

swimming

peer mediation

Character Education ext.

Adult English Classes

Family Fun Nights

BETA & 21st CCLC sponsored Workshops for Parents

Hours and activities vary by school. Currently they have 14 schools that offers the program .

They have alternative programs for high school students to help obtain their diplomas. There's a Vocational Rehab office thats helps students with disabilities with post-secondary education costs needed to prepare them for jobs.

There's a Center for Autism and Related Diseases (CARD) at UCF (University of Central Florida) that provide free services and classes. They have some of their classes through the Osceola County school board, such has behavior basics and potty training; but CARD offers all types of classes through out orange county and seminole county(above orange) from feeding issues; adulthood; puberty; IDEA; IEP's.; behavior basics, potty training, and many more. If you put your child into their data base and attend an orientation they offer the classes for free, in a few cases there are minor fees for a class/program. They will come to your house and to the child's school and teach techniques to anyone that has contact with your child.

There's also an local Autism Society Chapter here as well called the Autism Society of Greater Orlando.

Left some links for you, if I can help you more please contact me through my profile.

EDIT: I just received my email from CARDand wanted to share some of the info from it that they offer for classes/programs.

University of Florida/FOP “Supporting Communication” Workshop and Child Clinic:

This 3-Day workshop will address topics relevant to both professionals and families interested in multiple disabilities, including Deaf Blindness. The presentation for day one will address strategies and techniques for promoting communication with individuals who are nonverbal (not speaking or signing effectively); the presentation on day two will be focused on literacy materials and strategies for supporting students with severe and multiple disabilities in literacy learning.  An optional evening presentation will provide information on tactile instruction approaches and symbols for students who are not able to make effective use of vision.

Attacking Academics:  Home Solutions for Reading Comprehension

Learn about development of reading comprehension for school age children with autism.  Parents who are looking for fun and meaningful activities to support their children’s learning across settings are encouraged to attend.  Activities will be demonstrated and materials provided.

Behavior Basics I

This presentation will cover the art of increasing behaviors you want to increase, such as following directions, self-help and independence skills, using principles of ABA.  The concepts of preventing problem behaviors and building skills through reinforcer assessment, shaping,

prompting and other ABA methods will be covered.

Behavior Basics II

This presentation will cover what to do when you have a problem behavior and how to look at problem behaviors from a functional, behavioral perspective using principles of ABA.  The concepts of functional assessment and strategies for reducing and replacing behavior will be discussed.

Play and Toys

Wondering what kinds of toys to get your child with ASD for the holiday season?  This session will cover the basics of play development, toys to encourage development of play and communication skills in children with ASD, and some guidance on safety devices to childproof your home.  

Life Comes At You Fast!

This workshop will focus on planning for transition to

adulthood-beginning with a timeline for actions families must begin in middle school.

Introduction to Verbal Behavior

This presentation will give an overview of using a behavioral approach to teach language and communication to children with developmental and language delays.

Special Needs Trusts

If family members or friends fail to utilize special needs trusts in their estate planning the disabled individual can find themselves inadvertently disqualified for government assistance programs.  Properplanning using a special needs trust can preserve eligibility and dramatically improve the quality of the life of the disabled individual.

Paws Together for Parents and Children with Autism

The mission of this group is to encourage building

relationships with dogs, and other animals, and explore the "Nontraditional" approach to better health.  

Seminole County Public Library Special Needs Storytime Program

These 30 minute programs are designed for children with special needs, their families and friends.  Each program includes music, puppets, audience participation and fun for all!  Sign language interpreters are provided for each program.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Free therapeutic horseback riding in Lake County.