angelgarden
Sea Gull
Joined: Oct 07, 2011
Posts: 229
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 Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:07 am Post subject: Best State or Country for Special Education Services? |
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I guess what I'm asking . . . is there a state or area/country that is known to have the best laws or services for kids who need an IEP? Or is it always pretty much . . . 'who knows' and incredibly variable depending on what school?
I know I have heard that parents often really have to push and fight for services. I just wonder . . . if my family could choose to move anywhere, is there an ideal spot, where you have to do less of that pushing and shoving to get assistance?
Or is this a completely impossible questions to answer? |
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WorldsEdge
Deinonychus
Joined: Dec 14, 2009
Age: 49
Posts: 380
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:13 am Post subject: |
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I've heard that Minnesota (of all places) has some of the best programs in the country...but by saying this I'm repeating what amounts to hearsay. As in, a co-worker of my ex-wife has a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandkids on the spectrum. The family wants to move back east to MA or NH to be closer to their respective families but when they did a comparison of services between the states, Minnesota blew both states out of the water. So they're actually staying in MN for that reason alone, maybe revisiting a move when the kids are older.
But, like I said, please don't take me as any sort of final authority on the matter. And personally the level of service would have to be platinum-plated to get me to put up with the Grumpy Old Men style winters...but that's me. MA is already bad enough in that department, thank you.
And there are some strange differences between states that may or may not matter in a particular circumstance. In Massachusetts, children "age out" of Early Intervention at age 3, but in New York do not do so until age 5, or so I was told when my son turned 3. Meaning in MA kids get bumped into their town's pre-school at 3, but might still get in-home services in NY until age 5. (Usually via state supervised private agencies.) We had an extremely positive experience w/EI, and quite frankly would have loved to have had him in it until age 5. His preschool experience was candidly a mixed bag, but that's a post for another time.
I don't know how you'd find out about other weird differences like the above, but I'm sure there's more than a few between states. And don't forget that a Town A vs. Town B comparison within the same state can yield some surprising differences. As in, before we split my ex and I lived in a town that on paper didn't look all that impressive (per pupil spending, median income of residents etc.) and, yeah, we did butt heads with them several times. But they're nothing like where she lives now, a far wealthier community where you think things would be better, but to get anything out of them is like going to war. We're going the advocate route, and are getting increasingly worried that the move from Kindergarten to 1st Grade next year is going to be very tough, especially given the treatment we've been getting. 
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MMJMOM
Phoenix
Joined: May 22, 2011
Posts: 616
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:49 am Post subject: |
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In NY, where I live on Long Island, EI is birth to 3, which is paid for by your county, they come to YOUR house for evals and meetings. From3-5 it is CPSE which is the Committe of Preschool Special Education, which is paid by the school district,you go to the district for meetings. At age 5 thru 21 is is CSE Committe of Special Education again paid by the district and all meetings held at the district.
Each district here is different about giving out services. Some are better about it, some terrible, But I dont know ANYONE who has it easy. I thought I did for CPSE with my son, they offered alot of speech and agreed to anything the school thought he needed. I am finding as he is elem age, it is MUCH HARDER...which I hear true for many districts.
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Dara, mom to my beautiful kids:
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zette
Phoenix
Joined: Jul 28, 2011
Posts: 572
Location: California
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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Ohio has the Austin scholarship, that may get your child into a special school. I only know what's been mentioned in the Lost and Tired blog.
In CA you're better off in a wealthier district - studies have found big gaps in what children are getting based on where they live, even at the EI (under 3) level. |
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Sockitmama
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 28, 2011
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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Hello, everyone! We're in Southern, California and my son has had pretty good services and there are many opportunities here for alternative or DAN support if you're willing to drive. Now, we did have some school issues involving inclusion that we had to resolve, but once that was taken care of things seemed to smooth out. Overall, he's doing well, but we still take it one day at a time. Overall, I'd say our area was good because I've spoken with many autism parents at conferences and they're getting close to nothing, especially for young adults/adults.
I hear NY, NJ, Central California (San Franciso /San Jose / etc...) and Georgia have good services, too. But, as others said, it may depend on demographics. If you're planning to relocate, it's always best to do due diligence.
Hope that helps.
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scubasteve
Phoenix
Joined: Dec 18, 2009
Age: 28
Posts: 993
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Best State or Country for Special Education Services? |
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| angelgarden wrote: | I guess what I'm asking . . . is there a state or area/country that is known to have the best laws or services for kids who need an IEP? Or is it always pretty much . . . 'who knows' and incredibly variable depending on what school?
I know I have heard that parents often really have to push and fight for services. I just wonder . . . if my family could choose to move anywhere, is there an ideal spot, where you have to do less of that pushing and shoving to get assistance?
Or is this a completely impossible questions to answer? |
Well, the laws governing IEPs and Related Services come from the federal level, so they are no different anywhere you go in the United States. What may change is how much pushing and shoving is required. School budgets tend to be extremely tight, and services can be extremely expensive to provide, so they often have no choice but to do this. The wealthier a school district you can afford to live in, theoretically, the larger school budgets will be, and the less they will have to fight you as a result. However, this is not always the case. It also depends on the school administration and district leadership, and most importantly, the other parents. (What sometimes happens in the wealthier areas is that a lot of parents get lawyers to fight for services their kids don't really need. This depletes the budgets, and so they have to fight you just the same.) |
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Nice2No
Emu Egg
Joined: May 09, 2012
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: Sometimes it just boils down to luck |
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I know it is frustrating to try to find the ideal educational setting for your kids. I know it took awhile for us to find a good fit. I will share my story and info in hopes that it might help someone else.
My son will be starting high school fall of 2012. We moved from the Houston area (in Texas) to NY almost 5 years ago. We were supposedly in one of the best school districts in the state (Conroe, The Woodlands). He was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 8 and 1/2. After a bunch of testing by the district, all of this after a diagnosis by a developmental psychologist at Texas Children's Hospital, the most they were willing to do was help him put his homework in his backpack. Seriously!
He was held in during recess in 3rd grade (our last VERY long year in the Conroe district) so he could catch up on his classwork. Obviously, not a great course of action for a high functioning kid who sorely needed the opportunity to get outside with other kids. The district determined that because his IQ was normal and his grades were good he didn't need additional assistance. They also denied him speech therapy, refusing to see the need he had to develop pragmatic language skills. Once again, I took him to private occupational therapy at my expense at Texas Children's/Woodlands location. They were excellent.
I was also very fortunate to find a superb psychiatrist in the 1960 area of Houston, Dr. Bernard Rosenberg. Despite the great psychiatrist, I was so displeased with the lack of educational responsibility on behalf of teachers and the district, I looked to move elsewhere.
I was fortunate to find employment in New York, on Long Island. I was blessed to live within the boundaries of Garden City Unified School District. They have accommodated him in every way imaginable. He is able to see a school psychologist whenever the need arises. For the past 2 years, he has had a class aide or as I have have heard it referred to by one of the creators of this fine website (Alex Plank) a personal assistant. That has made all the difference in the world. All classes are cotaught by a classroom teacher and a special ed teacher. All kids, NTs and Aspies, are in class together. He has thrived. The plan has already been devised for his transition to high school next year and accomodations have been put in place. As I mentioned, we have been lucky.
I have heard that not all districts on Long Island are created equal however. I have heard from other parents who have children in other districts as I am active in the special ed community. They are pleased with the services their children receive in: Jericho, Great Neck, Manhasset, Massapequa, and Cold Spring Harbor. Hope this helps someone...best of luck to all who are searching. |
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lostgirl1986
There's a party in my head.
Joined: Feb 29, 2012
Age: 26
Posts: 6250
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| In the way of countries I've heard that certain European countries are very good, especially Sweden, Norway and Denmark. |
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Gnomey
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Aug 17, 2011
Age: 44
Posts: 61
Location: Calgary
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 12:59 am Post subject: |
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Alberta Canada has it pretty good with funding at least until the child finishes Kindergarten than funding levels off. My daughter had speech when diagnosed at nearly 4 years old and she got full funding. In this system, because children get cut off at Kindergarten, there is pressure to be diagnosed early. I mentioned to somebody that I thought my daughter had ADD and they told me to get her checked out for that very reason.
-a full time classroom aide so she can continue in her regular preschool (although I am told the Autism Preschools also funded are better at fixing problems)
-Speech, OT, Behavior Therapists
-home support aides and behavior therapists for problems at home or community like crowds, water, potty training
-respite care for Saturday Support
-parenting courses for me
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Have a child with AS and I also suspect that some family members have undiagnosed AS. I am NT. |
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MeshugenahMama
Raven
Joined: Apr 29, 2012
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:08 am Post subject: |
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| I am in Ohio. We moved here from Denver in search of better services. One thing that Ohio really has going for it is the Autism Scholarship sponsored by the Ohio DOE. My son has a full time aide completely funded by this program, and I still have money left to use for other things. Considering that I am getting ready to have a second child diagnosed, this is really helpful. My kids go to a private school, so I don't know much about the public schools here. Like anywhere, some districts have better reputations than others-generally the wealthier ones. We recently considered moving about a mile to be in a school district that has a really amazing reputation. People move there just for their special education programming all the time, but we decided the time wasn't right for us (or put another way-we couldn't sell our house). My experience has been that things are a battle no matter where you are, but at least now my son has the aide that they refused to give him in Denver. I have good things about many of the states already mentioned here-NY, NJ, MN. |
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MakaylaTheAspie
Zodai's girl
Joined: Jun 22, 2011
Age: 16
Posts: 12753
Location: Aus den USA
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:15 am Post subject: |
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I've heard good things about Belgium.
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MotherKnowsBest
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 15, 2009
Posts: 1191
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:17 am Post subject: |
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I'm in Sweden. The after diagnosis support for my daughter has been phenomenal. First off a referral to 'habilitering' which is a special hospital department for people with autism. They have specialist doctors, occupational therapists, physios, psychologists etc. She's seen them every week since she was diagnosed. Has has been taught to cook, do the washing, plan her days, CBT, anxiety management, pain management etc.
In school she has an IEP which is legally binding. The school have bent over backwards to support her. She has a special needs teacher once a week who co-ordinates the whole plan. Shortly after her diagnosis a team from habilitering came into the school to teach all her teachers about autism and about her specific needs. The school counsellor, nurse and special needs teacher then ran a day educating all the other students in her class about autism and (with her agreement) about how it affects her and what they (her classmates) can do to help. Armed with this information her class have been brilliant.
Via habilitering she has access to all sorts of organised social activities specially designed for children with autism.
Via the kommun (local authority) she has a 'kontakt person'. This is like a buddy scheme. Someone employed to be her friend and go out and do stuff with her. This is legal right for all people with autism.
As her mum, I get paid to stay at home and care for her and my husband gets paid time off work to attend any appointments/sessions related to her autism.
She'll be 19 soon and we recently spent the afternoon at habilitering as they ran through all the changes which will occur at 19. They will help us apply for all the support services availble once she moves to adult services. I am very impressed with what is available. |
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