Posted: June 17 2007 at 2:07pm | IP Logged

We are definetly moving out of FL.  My husband and I love the Northeast and we're going to brave the cold weather!  We are going to NY, I'm originally from Ulster CO., so it's home for me!  We are also looking at the Ithaca area, I'm researching that right now.  Those of you from NY (and anyone), you're welcome to PM me because I need all the info. I can get.  My main questions are:  Is there a waiting list for the HCBS Waiver?  Are there waiting lists for private ST's and OT's ?

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13825427&BRD=1 395&PAG=461&dept_id=216620&rfi=6  (just added-Link on Ithaca schools)

 Any inside info. will be very helpful! 

Posted: June 17 2007 at 6:50pm | IP Logged

Just want to add that NC public school system is very frustrating to deal with.  They seem to not want to catch up with more progressive states.  I wish I can understand the arrangement between NC and TEEACH.  I think parents would not be able to get productive services out of the school system here until that Bond is broken.

Concernedpa.

Posted: June 19 2007 at 4:48am | IP Logged

First- I'm new to the board and love it!

Minnesota is a great state for schooling. My 13 year old son has Aspergers and was mainstreamed into a private Lutheran school for the first 7 years of his education. After the private school was unable to meet his needs, we transfered him to a public school in St. Paul. There are several in the city that have Autism prigrams, and he goes to Cleveland Middle School.

His homeroom is special needs based, but he goes to all "regular" classes and is provided with a para. His main issues are social interactional. With the teachers and his para actually giving a darn, he's been on the B honor role all year, and missed the A honor role by a nose.

Minnesota's state budget is 50% toward public education. The schools have the usual problems of any city schools, but the teachers are great and the big thing is parental involvement. If you are there for the kids, the teachers respond and we are overjoyed at our son's outcome.

I hope this post helps someone find their way to our schools, they are great!

Posted: June 19 2007 at 10:13am | IP Logged

Hi there- I am from Kingston NY originally MATTY!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Hudson Valley!!! Maybe one day I will get back there....I don't plan on living my golden yrs out here in VT- BUT

I live in Vermont currently. The schools here are great for kids with special needs!  It's a small state....but good for kids with needs.

Gail

Posted: June 27 2007 at 5:18am | IP Logged

Good Morning,

We are still thinking of Maine.  Looking into the Brunswick, Freeport, Topsham area.  But now we are hearing so many things about New York that we may rethink this.  Any information would be extremely helpful.  I had thought about contacting the Maine Dept of Ed. , but I find that I have learned more about autism and things out there from other parents.  Thank goodness we have each other.  We can certainly use all the support we can get. 

So, any thoughts, ideas, contacts, etc on Maine or New York or any New England State  would be great and much appreciated.  We are in Maryland and want to go North.

Thank you! Thank you!

Ginny

Posted: June 27 2007 at 9:07am | IP Logged

We just moved out of Lee County(SW), FL now staying in Polk Co.(central), FL until we move to NY before school starts.  There is a shortage of therapists here so it took me forever to find a place w/o a wait list,  and we could only get him in for 1.5 hrs. week.  As far as school goes, the Polk district is even worse than Lee's, (very poor),  I thought about putting my son in summer school here since it is written in his IEP, but the option they gave me was awful and the woman I dealt with was so rude, I said no thanks.  I'm only here for a few weeks then on to NY.   

Here is some info. http://www.parenttoparentnys.org, http://www.city-data.com/forum, http://www.city-data.com