Hi- I am pretty new as a resident in NC - If you are in the state- please share how you are funding an ABA program for your child? Are you getting any ABA via the district or school system? Any programs that I should be aware of?
Thanks
It seems NC is "married" to TEACCH... since the founders are out of Chapel Hill. My son is 12, and ABA was not as readily available when he was younger. I don't think you will find much ABA in the school systems any where in the state, unless you find a private school.
Does your son qualify for Medicaid? Check with your county Mental Health Dept or Dept of Developmental Disabilites to find out about applying, for Medicaid and the CAP waiver. There seems to be a waiting list for CAP, but they finally opened up a few more slots.
Mary
It seems NC is "married" to TEACCH... since the founders are out of Chapel Hill. My son is 12, and ABA was not as readily available when he was younger. I don't think you will find much ABA in the school systems any where in the state, unless you find a private school.
Does your son qualify for Medicaid? Check with your county Mental Health Dept or Dept of Developmental Disabilites to find out about applying, for Medicaid and the CAP waiver. There seems to be a waiting list for CAP, but they finally opened up a few more slots.
Hi Mary,
Was interested to know if you know much about the state funding in NC for children with ASD. Is it good/bad?
Do they integrate the children into mainstream or do they go to special schools?
My son is in special school in Devon UK, but we are looking at the possibility of relocating to NC.
He follows a TEACCH programme and is doing v well.
Just wondered if you might be able to advise.
Thanks
Amy
Hi Mary, Tony's Mom,
I am not sure what area of NC that I am considering anywhere not to far away from an international airport and thats fairly good with autism, which probably narrows it down to Raleigh or Charlotte areas.
Louis has quite severe autism, but responds very well to the Teacch programme that he is on at the moment. He loves school, which is fantastic, but how he is going to cope with the change, I do not know. He has ASD with severe learning difficulties. Pretty much non verbal, not very sociable but is showing signs of interacting with his brothers.
I imagine NC to be quite a pretty plqce with villages and friendly people. So far I have been to Long Island which is awful and not friendly very rude people lots of road rage and bloody nasty people but I am welsh and we are quite friendly, although I do live in England. Texas was friendly, but I was not that fussed on living there.
Amy
just didnt facy living there.
From what I understand from our doctor who is located in that county, TEACCH is used in the Wake County schools. Raleigh is pretty congested but the outlying areas are very nice. I think Charlotte is more congested. Being from a rural area, I do not like to even go to Charolette. I am much more familiar withThat area is very nice. I live about 65 miles south of Raleigh. The area I live in is very rural but we are close enough to be able to use the services. NC is a beautiful place to live. Good luck.Amy,
From what I know about NC, I would suggest looking in or near Raleigh. The Raleigh/Durham airport is international; rather busy in my opinion.
I have not had opportunity to talk to parents from that area about schools, but that area is probably the most progessive part of the state. So schools are likely to be keeping up there better than most areas. The availability of extracurricular activities for all kids seems to be much greater as well. You might want to contact the Autism Society of NC... they have parent contacts that can give you more specific information.
NC is a very pretty state and for the most part people are very friendly. What bothers me most about the extra-friendliness is that, while friendly is wonderful, it is not necessarily what my son needs. Where we are, I get a lot of "I'm doing the best I can with what I have to work with" attitude. Our county is pretty rural and poor, and the services are a direct reflection of that.
You're right about Long Island; my in-laws are there it is a very different place. No offense to those from Long Island (especially you, Tzoya)! We just came back from a visit, and it is every one for themselves!
Check in with the Autism Society... let us know how it goes.
Mary
Aislynn
I would like to learn more about the Medicaid. I was told by that we could not qualify for it because of my income. I would love to get it for my son. We have been turned down for respite and help because we did not have Medicaid.
Hi Amy,
Our experience with state funding is that it is very limited in all areas. NC is well known to have a low property tax base, which makes the cost of living nice but keeps the school funds down as well. And most people do not want to vote for a tax increase (county level) because of that.
Funding is no different, that I can see, for ASD kids or any other children with disabilities. You may find some schools specializing in autism, but not many that I know of. And if so, they are usually private. Years ago, when Tony was first diagnosed, we lived in a neighboring county. The preschool EC board referred him to a "special" school for placement. My concern with that was that it was heavily funded through United Way, not through regular education tax dollars. About that time, United Way was going through a big scandal and people were reluctant to give. Almost closed the school down.
I believe integrated/mainstreaming can vary widely from county to county, and school to school even within the county. In elementary school (K-5), the special ed class was more a resource... Tony went out to the regular classes for most of the day. This year, in middle school, he is in a segregated special ed class and making VERY little progress. It really can boil down to the difference in teachers and administration in the school.
What area of NC are you considering?
Mary
Thanks!TEACCH, TEACCH, TEACCH, that is all that NC public services will talk about I wish they would be a little more open minded to other behavioral interventions for TEACCH or any other method for that matter does not work for every child, sorry I will get off my soapbox now.......
Right now funding for ABA is slim to none, every child with a disability qualifies for medicaid no matter the parent's income, however, there is a long waiting list as Mary stated. If you call constantly about how bad you need services and write letters to them and complain complain complain the process will move alot quicker. Once you get these services in place you can have respite care and eventually receive daily care in your home.....This is where you can train your service providers in the ABA program you are doing at home and Medicaid pays for them you just have to supply the materials.
Also, Medicaid pays for conferences for you, speech supplies, and any additional speech ot services you may need!
Good Luck
Aislynn
Hi Mary, Tony's mom,
Interesting reading your post. I have just got back from my US trip - today. I went to Texas for 2 weeks, although the people there were very friendly, I was not overly keen on moving there, so thats definately off my list. no offence against texas its just to different from the uk probably to much of a culture shock for us. Long Island on the other hand, probably because its not to far away from new york, although I did find some friendly people there, i just was't to keen. i am really hoping that nc will be what im looking for when we visit in the summer, it looks beautiful in the brochures etc.
amy
Hi Amy,
I can't remember if you mentioned how old your son is (I know he is in school). I would suggest contacting the Exceptional Children's department in a few counties to see how they are staffed over the summer. You won't be able to visit a classroom/program because of the schools being out, but you may be able to obtain information from the central office. It would definitely help to carry evaluations with you for them to review.
I know a lot of school systems are still going through "trial and error" in working with children with autism. As we all know, it is such a broad spectrum and that in itself creates the problems for the schools. I really think this applies worldwide, not just in a given area. Don't be afraid to ask for services; as has been mentioned in various places on this board, if you don't ask, they won't offer.
Good luck!
Mary
Hi Mary,
I have only just read your post, I will look into that.......and thank you
Amy
Hi Amy,
You are quite welcome! One thing I forgot to mention... NC is growing by leaps and bounds these days. It seems there is a huge wave of people moving to the state for 1-jobs, 2-lower (supposedly) cost of living and taxes, 3-milder weather. Compared to some areas, all of these are true.
However, what is happening is the local areas are not prepared for this. The schools are maxing out and waiting lists are getting longer. I have found a great site for reference is www.city-data.com. Maybe if things level off a bit, schools will get better.
Mary
Thanks Mary
Amy