What state or city is the best for autism treatment?

Question

Our 4 year old son was recently "officially" diagnosed as having autism. We've been doing speech and OT therapy for almost 2 years, but methods like ABA are not very accessible here in north FL - there are just too few therapists in the area. We're considering where we might relocate to obtain additional treatment / therapies, particularly when he starts school next year. Any information on experiences in your area and local school district is much appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

You should also check the school system for special needs.

Answer 2

I have had experiences in ABA therapy in two school districts here in Missouri.  You may want to contact other parents on a web site called AutismSpeaks.com and see if they have any information and experiences to share with you.  I know several parents I have worked with highly recommend the site and its resources.  Best of luck and Happy Holidays!

Answer 3

NOT OHIO,insurance companies in Ohio don't recognize Autism as a disease/syndrome and deny payment on all treatments.Robin

Answer 4

one in four boy's born in the bay area have autism.my son is four and attends a autism preschool class through the school district.the child student ratio is 1/1 most days.we have found endless resources although you must aggressively advocate for your child and research what resources are available to you such as diapers,respite,therapeutic horse back riding etc.there are many contacts out here that would welcome your family with open minds and arms!

Answer 5

My school district in south Florida does serve children with autism in separate classes. However, the use of ABA in those classes is not done across the board.

Tampa has just opened an autism charter school called the Florida Autism Center of Excellence. The tuition is partly paid by the McKay scholarship and all the staff members are trained in ABA. Check them out on the 'Net or give them a call. I believe this school is in Hillborough County.

The Eden Institute in Fort Myers offers ABA services and is partly covered by the McKay scholarship.

The Devereaux Foundation in central Florida also practices ABA and serves a variety of disabled students.

There is the Victory School in Miami.

There are a couple of religious schools you might want to check out, but I don't know what practices they use.

Crossroads school in Lakeland and the Jericho School for Children with Autism in Jacksonville.

THE Peace by Piece Learning Center in Fort Myers is now accepting students. Seats will be limited at this school, so call now.

The Palm Beach School for Autism is another one, though I don't know a thing about it.

Finally, go to the Autism Speaks website. They have a big list of autism schools in Florida. I only gave you Florida alternatives because I assume you like it there!

Answer 6

Hi, I work for a mental health agency that serves autistic kids in eastern North Carolina.  I can tell you that there are very few places that are dedicated to just serving autism.  Normally the public school system is bogged down or can not deal with the growing number of kids with autism and other disorders.  What you can do is find out what is your local LME provider and get your son cap services.  This way he can get extra help outside of school and it can be one on one.  

In the school district where I currently live, they just seem to group the EC students together in a classroom.  If your son has the type of autism where he is very hyper, then you may be in for a school fight, since schools seem to not want to handle these type of students and will put them in cross categorical or self contained classrooms.

You may want to consider home schooling or private schools, where your son can get one on one attention.

Answer 7

My child does not have autism per se, put falls within the autistic spectrum. I researched for two years for the state I felt would best meet her needs, and that was Massachusetts. They have several camps and schools that take autistic children and children with other disabilities. There is a school, Riverview in Cape Cod that is highly regarded and people from all over the world send their children there. At the age of 4 it is likely most states can meet his needs, however I am afraid you will find that as he ages, that number shrinks drastically.  I have also heard of a school in Kansas that seems fantastic from what I've read about it called Heartspring. http://www.heartspring.org/?gclid=CKSh_t...