willing and able to move... but where? | Autism PDD

We live in long Island, New York and the services are phenomenal.....The price to live here is high.....My husband and I have always wanted to mvoe due to high cost of living, but because of our daughter we have chosen to stay because we know how good the services are here. My daughter is 5 hyears old and receives a  private full day ABA class, 15 hours of in home ABA, in home PT and 6x a week prompt speech therapy. We have never paid out of pocket for any of these services. I am an advocate for children with special needs children and have spoken to people all over the United States. I highly recommend NY ( specifically Long Island) and if you want further information please email me and hopefully I can help you with whatever you need. Good Luck!

Christy

Julie A - Excellent idea!  Tzoya lives in Shirley, New York.  She just gave out her town and zip for people to use when they called Governor Spitzer's office.

i am in the middle of what you are talking about. my son 21. aged out of school in june. lived in philly. was told we would be on waiting list forever because my son had 2 people caring for him. moved to chester county pa. have heard services better. here now and still on waiting list. once we get off list i think services will be better. we still have not sold our house in philly. owe everyone. don't know if it was the best idea or not. have a nicer house in a much better area but am dirt poor now. suppose once i get services i will think it was a good idea but a waiting list feels the same no matter where you live.
I can vouch for two places.  New Jersey (northern NJ - Essex County and that area) and Montgomery County and Howard County in Maryland.  I have lived in both places and have no complaints.  New Jersey is probably the best in the US with all the money they pour into special ed.  Also their Dept. of Disabilities is great.  They are cooperative and you don't have to wait for everything.  Maryland tries to keep the kids in the neighborhood schools and for the most part they are successful.  My son is in a self-contained class in the same high school as my sister.  They do well getting all sorts of modeling from the typical kids.  New Jersey generally sends them to special schools outside of their towns.  To some extent this is good, but socializing is very difficult.  Anyway, I hope this is helpful.

We currently live in the FL panhandle, and must relocate due to ZERO services available.  Moved into current spot after our trip to UNC/Chapel Hill, where we got the diagnosis

Now that my son is 15.5, I can see that if we stay here, he has only day treatment or the Big House to look forward to.

What do I care what the taxes are, if they can help with school and an after school program where I know my son will be safe while I can be out in el-norm world working a JOB.

Sign me, willing but bummed out,

TallMomFlying 

Zero services?  That sucks.  My SIL moved from Florida (Tampa area) because she thought the schools were terrible (she has 3 NT kids).

This question has been asked before and you'll hear from many that NY, NJ, CA and parts of other states have great services.  To help the crew narrow down suggestions, it would help if you shared what kind of job you're going to be looking for, whether you'll rent or buy, and if you will buy, how much can you afford (ballpark) to pay for a house.

We live in Tampa and I think I have finally found a good school and a great placement. I observed the class and talked to the teacher and she called today and asked me if I would like to bring Nikolas by tomorrow away from the open house time so that he can explore the classroom. She has been teaching autistic kids for years and comes highly recommended and we have insurance paying for outside therapies. Most of the state though seems to be awful though. Like Kristy says the east coast and Ca seem to be the best places.

It has been so long, I thought I would start at temp agencies until I learned my way around the area.  I have worked as a technical writer, pastry chef, caterer, personal chef, layout design, nanny, tutor, real estate sales. and probably some more that I can't think of now.  Considering a master's degree, if it will help me make more money. 

Biggest concern is to get where James can get the most in social skills and transition services.  As a Massachssetts realtor pointed out, "if I wanted cheap real estate, I wouldn't be thinking of the North East". 

Really want to keep my 2 old labs.  Cannot bear the thought of putting them down or giving them away, so thought I would liquidate so I wouldn't have to find a place big enough for the piano that would also allow the dogs...

I think you should move to wherever Tzoya lives

It's a tough thing to shop for!

As I posted recently in the Education section.   Long Island, NY has great
services.   My son goes to a great preschool outside our town.   I am very
happy with what is available to my child.   Even the Early Intervention
services provided by the county was fantastic when he was 2.   The only
thing I am pissed off about my school district is they won't grant a Seit so he
can go to a typical nursery school 3 days a week.   Most other districts do
grant that.
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