I replied to your other post, but wanted to add that NJ & NY are known for
their autism benefits. If you search on this forum, you'll find info on
various states & their schools, laws, etc. At your daughter's age, the first
route would be via EI and/or private theray. At age 3, she woudl then get
services through the local school district or through some private
schools. Some private programs do not serve children until age 5 or 6.
My dd was also nonverbal at 22 months, her language sparked just before
she turned 3. She still has a very difficult time communicating her wants
or needs, goes completely silent in public & in conversation...but she
DOES have words. It is exciting. So much can happen and change
between ages 2 and 3, 4, 5... If your child struggles with having words
come, there are plenty of alternative forms of communication. We use
sign language & PECS with our dd. I have a suspicion when she gets
older, she'll take advantage of text messaging, email, etc. for
communications.
Let us know what you decide--where you end up. And again, welcome to
the forum!!
Not sure how you would determine which schools are the best. However, here is an article you may find interesting. It discusses 2 autism schools in NJ that seem pretty impressive and might be worth researching further.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191852-2,0 0.html
I am in Florida too and work in the field of ABA. Everything I am suppose to know just kind of goes away. Have you heard of the school that Dan Marino sent his child to, he had great success?I think I've heard bits and peices about it, but thats it. I'm just outside of Tampa and I've been really frustrated. My son is 11 now and I'm home schooling. I wish I could find something or some place for him to thrive.
I have not had any luck with schools. If I had known about my sons diagnoses as early as you are finding out, I would pour everything I had into speech and OT therapies. I'd research the private therapist, OT, Speech, PT , ABA and do it that way. I'm in Florida and there is NOTHING here school wise.
Good Luck
I am desperately searching for a suggestion about the best school on the East Coast. My daughter is 22 months old, no speech, a few ASD/PDD-NOS traits. I imagine that she will be diagnosed with PDD soon. We have been given the opportunity to move any where in the East and have her school paid for. Where do I go? Where would you send your child if you had unlimited resources? Please help!
We have a bunch of good ones in NJ...I live in Pa, I'm happy for the most part with the services we are recieving here, does anyone here live in Pa????
My son was diagnosed at 3 1/2 with pdd, immediately placed in a class with early intervention 4 days a week 2 1/2 hours a day with speech and ot. we will also qualify for at the least 12 hours a week with a behavior specialist, i choose the hours and where i need them, whether it be in my home or family outings, grocery shopping whatever ( still in the process of getting these services, although i just started the process 2 weeks ago)
Is this what most states offer????
I live in MA, we get EI til 3yrs old then the schools provide the services