Autism classes in public school | Autism PDD

Do any of you have experience with ASD classes in the public school system? I have an appt to observe/interview at one of the newer - high tech schools that has a autism classroom - actually a few, but I wanted to see what everyone knew...I don't want to seem shocked. I don't like surprises usually. I already have my CARD rep going to investigate - they are in the school a lot. They are wanting to make this school the model for the state for the autism clusters. We'll see. She is supposed to investigate the teacher too

Yes, there is a terrific autism class at Connor's middle school, and the teacher is my direct contact for all of Connor's needs.  Connor is not in that class, as he is in all mainstream classes, but the autism teacher picks all of his teachers, and is the liaison for all of his needs.  She is his teacher for his one elective period, and we use it as an "organizational workshop" period, where he gets caught up on work, goes through and organizes his backpack, studies, etc.  The autism class itself, is designed for kids who cannot be mainstreamed.  Most of the kids are mid to low functioning.  You should definitely take a look, and get to know the teacher.  The class at Connor's school is a model for our entire state, and the teacher is just a dynamo, who has become one of my closest allies in making sure my son gets all the support he needs.

does anyone mind me asking which school district in Florida this is in???

As for Autism Spectrum Classrooms- my friend in NY has a son in a Grade 3-4 multi-age higher functioning Autism classroom- and she loves it! They get a homework packet for the week- and her son loves the teacher....

Gail 

[QUOTE=Gail b]does anyone mind me asking which school district in Florida this is in??? [/QUOTE]

I don't know about Payne's Mom, but I'm in the Los Angeles Unified School District, not Florida.

I just get curious where these places are popping up!!

Payne's mom- what district are you in if that is ok to ask???? Thanks.

I know you are in Florida- my folks have a place in Delray Beach....i was there a few weeks back...LOVED the weather!!! LOVED eating all the cool food down there....

Gail

anyone? I teach an elementary level autism class.  Most of my parents report they were very surprised to see us working on academics when they first came to observe.  They expected to see kids sitting in bean bag chairs and rocking....  or so they say. 
We function very much like other classrooms, except that EVERYTHING is geared to be autism friendly.  I don't randomly change routines or decide to switch my schedule unless I absolutley have to.  My schedule lists the activities in order, but the only times listed are the ones guaranteed to start at that time.  Each child has his own schedule posted, visual supports used throughout, daily yoga and sensory breaks, incidental teaching including role plays on every social issue that arises, daily social skills instruction, you get the idea.
I am happy to hear about the other teacher who gives weekly homework packets.  That is how I do it too- send it on Monday and it is due the following Monday.
Oh, and I am in Minnesota.

My son did well in the public school system while we lived in Palm Beach county Florida.  We moved to St. Lucie county and that was a total disaster.  Luckily we found a great charter school for autism in Palm Beach county so now we drive an hour and 15 minutes each way, every day.  But it is well worth the trip, it is a very small school that just opened in August and not many people know about it.  Lot's of one on one attention, and very small groups, and caring teachers.  The schools name is Palm Beach School for Autism for pre-K, and Palm Beach Academy for Learning for 1st to 3rd grade.  They are hoping to expand the school to 8th grade, and I hope it happens.  My son is in first grade right now.

Thank you Linda 11567....I like to hear good thngs too!  No place is perfect !! But- its nice to hear good things!

Gail 

karolysgirl- that classroom you teach in sounds FABULOUS!

Payne's mom- I was curious...I have read all over the place on this board that Florida is so bad....but- there are a couple people who are happy.

Thanks so much!

We are in Florida, in South Tampa, and there are a few things that could be better, but overall I am very pleased. Of couse we came from DC that was horrible, they dropped a lot of the services that DC's early intervention recommended, and the school psychologist told me flat out they were not autistic. I believed her. they gave me 2 schools to visit then told me they were going to a totally different one, and when I said I had already picked one of the ones they gave me, they told me that this other school would be the school they would attend or they wouldn't attend. I didn't have to send them to preschool it was voluntary. Actually that isn't true, but I believed it at the time. It took me an hour to get them to school everyday, which now I know is actually illegal. So Florida was a Godsend for us. It was actually the school in Florida who brought up autism again, has worked closely with the psychologist for a diagnosis, doubled their speech therapy from the DC IEP and is going to add OT and probably PT. There are too many kids in that class and it is a very mixed class. She definitely needs another aide and is fighting the county to get one, but she is absolutely committed to those children and to learning whatever she needs to help them. She's been working very closely with Nikolas lately and he doesn't like it at all but his vocabulary has doubled and his relationship with his brother and sister especially has really changed since he started school here in Nov. He initiates hugs and playing together. I'm not crazy about the speech therapist, if I don't stay on top of her they don't get the amount of speech in their IEP, so I crack the whip and threaten and she does what she's suppose to. So far they have been on the whole very supportive and have worked to get those boys what they need, finally. After we get the DX for autism if that's what it is we will talk about an autism school or if they would be better leaving them where they are. But I've been happy on the whole with Tampa. At least my area of it.In our district, they didn't give me any choices. I was allowed to look at one pre-k AU classroom. (There was another, but it was too far).  Since that was the only placement being considered for our son, that was the only one I was allowed to see.  The classroom is small, 6 boys, and very structured with lots of visuals everywhere and the teacher is ABA certified. I cried after I observed the class because I had to accept that was what my little guy needed right now.  Also, it was difficult to watch the other boys because I've heard that other children with autism might look worse to you because you don't view your own child as being "that bad".  That was definetly true for me.  It has only been 1 mo., and sometimes I wonder if he would do ok in a less restrictive environ. w/ NT kids too.  Esp. since his teacher's keep telling me he's more advanced and higher than the other boys and he sets a great example for them.Gail B - I live in St Lucie County. We also have looked into the private autism school in Palm Beach County. Port St Lucie is just north of Delray Beach. We've had some problems and I hate to say it, but you really need to know the ropes here and get connections.
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