RE: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

[Guest guest]

We used to live in Houston. It is a wonderful city, people-wise. However,

it is a very poor choice pollution-wise. If your child is sensative, like many

AS kids are, Austin would probably be a much healthier choice.

Gaylen

[Guest guest]

Well weather-wise, you can mark Houston off your list.

It gets MISERABLE. I've lived in the northeast and

here, and believe me, the summer heat and humidity

will stop you in your tracks. The upside- everything

is air-conditioned!

--- wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and

> Houston. We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes,

> which we've never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services

> for our son and we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot

> weather. Any suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Well if you have these fears and dont want to be in super humid or hot weather

DONT move to Houston. My DH family is from there and we lived there for 3

months July-Aug-Sept. and I could not handle the heat and humidity. We

live/lived in the D/FW area before and after Houston so I am used to hot Texas

summers but nothing compares to that. My in-laws went through the floods a few

years back and lost just about everything and their grandson that lives with

them was tramatized for a very long time because of it. They moved to Iola Tx

about a year ago (near the /College Station area) to get out of Houston and

they were both born and raised there.

Just my 2 cents worth. Marcye

wrote:

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I can't give you advice on comparing school districts in Austin and Houston,

cause I don't have experience with them, however, if you want my opinion about

weather and environment, I would choose Austin over Houston. My experience is

that Austin isn't as unbearable as Houston in the middle of the summer. I have

lived in the Houston area for 16 years and have come close to being in a tornado

just once and it was a very small category 1 in Katy. It took out houses on one

side of the street and spared the others before it lifted back into the air.

Hurricanes have veered mostly to the east in that same time period. I am from

California and was use to frequent earthquakes occuring and there seems to be

more natural disasters threats here. Where would you be relocating from?

Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

[Guest guest]

Austin is a great city!!!. I lived there for 7 years in the 70's, and although

it has grown tremendously in size, everyone I talk to still loves it. The only

drawback is the cost of living. Cost of buying a house is very expensive

compared to Houston. I don't know anything about education in Austin but I

think I remember someone mentioning school districts in an earlier post this

year. You can search the posts starting around Jan 2005 if someone else doesn't

answer your question. Anywhere in southern Texas will be hot and humid in the

summer, but you cannot beat the winters. In Austin it really is only cold in

Jan and Feb and starts to warm up in March. I rarely wore a coat even in winter.

The lakes and parks are great, the culture and music scene can't be beat, and

you have lots of tolerance for difference because of the university population.

If I had the choice, I would choose Austin in a heartbeat for quality of living.

Marcia

Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

[Guest guest]

I was living nearer the Texas coast for many years and moved to Austin.

I am pleasantly surprised at the difference in climate. When I go see

my folks in Rockport now, I am a mess from the humidity.

I love visiting Houston now, have lived there before, but wouldn't

choose there over Austin.

[Guest guest]

-Hello ,

We live in Houston, I am a local and my husband is a CA'er, we have

two boys, one AU, Houston, our zip code is the most toxic in the

country. My children are doing better but require massive biomedical

treatments. Schools are a dismal situation as we are currently

looking for a private school for our son. I do not personally know

the school situation in Austin, I do know that you cannot get much

more toxic than Houston, we have been looking for a less polluted

area, it is difficult to change directions in a career for my husband

at 47, we are considering it. My advice would be Austin, however I do

not know particulars on cost of living etc, Houston is fairly cheap

housing. We wish you all the best.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " "

<noslenarual@c...> wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've

never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and

we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any

suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

[Guest guest]

Given the choice between Houston and Austin, I'd choose Austin any day of

the week. Summers aren't as humid, and it's cleaner. Whatever you decide,

good luck with the transition.

Anne

-- Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

[Guest guest]

,

I've lived in Austin for 24 years and have had quite a variety of

experiences with both the medical and educational communities. Please feel

free to email me off-line for specifics. Austin IS a wonderful place, but

for our children there are many days I wish we were in a larger city for the

resources available there.

- Kim

_____

From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

[mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 1:09 PM

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

_____

[Guest guest]

Well, if you can live inside the loop, Houston has a lot more to offer

than Austin--quality of lifewise. Yeah, it's humid, but Austin gets

pretty darn hot too in the summer. I've lived in both, and I will say

that I've seen the quality of life deteriorate in Austin dramatically

because of the horrible lack of freeways and poorly managed growth. There

are better doctors in

Austin (Dr. Wakefield is working with others to open up Thoughtful House),

but don't have a sense that the schools are so much better than Houston.

Cy Fair, Katy, and Humble school districts have some decent programs

at some of the schools and I'm beginning to hear good things about Tomball

too.

I get reeeeeeaaaaaaally tired of all the Houston bashing that goes on,

because it's a great city. In fact I have a new friend who recently

relocated to Houston and is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much

happier here than she was in Austin.

We haven't had a hurricane in awhile--meaning that we're due for one.

I've been through 3 hurricanes, and haven't flooded yet. You just really

have to pay attention to the flood plain maps and ask long time neighbors

if they flooded in . Houston has the worst air quality in the

US right now, but the Austin area has some serious water issues.

Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

[Guest guest]

WHere are you in Houston. I thought I was reading on htis list that the Deer

Park school system in Sugar Land was okay. Do you have any knowledge of that

school district? I do know that one should stay away from NOrth HOuston areas

like the Woodlands. I thought that Iread that the Leander School District

outside AUstin was fairly good. Marcia

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

-Hello ,

We live in Houston, I am a local and my husband is a CA'er, we have

two boys, one AU, Houston, our zip code is the most toxic in the

country. My children are doing better but require massive biomedical

treatments. Schools are a dismal situation as we are currently

looking for a private school for our son. I do not personally know

the school situation in Austin, I do know that you cannot get much

more toxic than Houston, we have been looking for a less polluted

area, it is difficult to change directions in a career for my husband

at 47, we are considering it. My advice would be Austin, however I do

not know particulars on cost of living etc, Houston is fairly cheap

housing. We wish you all the best.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " "

<noslenarual@c...> wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've

never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and

we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any

suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Be careful about recommending Tomball ISD --- I have worked with 3 parents on

the same issue --- they are reluctant to mainstream and provide supports. One

parent most likely going to due process...

Tomball has been on the black list on the TEA website for the past couple years

--- exceeding the inclusion formula - or whatever they call it -- where schools

have a high percentage of children in secluded classrooms.

I have not heard good stories - so I may be missing the good things has

heard. Through working for Partners Resource Network- unfortunately anytime I

get a call from a parent about a school - it's generally not to compliment

them....

I'm sure as with any district - there are good schools in Tomball ISD - and

there are bad schools --- just letting you know that I have heard some bad

stories.

Singleton wrote:

Well, if you can live inside the loop, Houston has a lot more to offer

than Austin--quality of lifewise. Yeah, it's humid, but Austin gets

pretty darn hot too in the summer. I've lived in both, and I will say

that I've seen the quality of life deteriorate in Austin dramatically

because of the horrible lack of freeways and poorly managed growth. There

are better doctors in

Austin (Dr. Wakefield is working with others to open up Thoughtful House),

but don't have a sense that the schools are so much better than Houston.

Cy Fair, Katy, and Humble school districts have some decent programs

at some of the schools and I'm beginning to hear good things about Tomball

too.

I get reeeeeeaaaaaaally tired of all the Houston bashing that goes on,

because it's a great city. In fact I have a new friend who recently

relocated to Houston and is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much

happier here than she was in Austin.

We haven't had a hurricane in awhile--meaning that we're due for one.

I've been through 3 hurricanes, and haven't flooded yet. You just really

have to pay attention to the flood plain maps and ask long time neighbors

if they flooded in . Houston has the worst air quality in the

US right now, but the Austin area has some serious water issues.

Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was wondering why you specify " inside the loop " as opposed to the suburbs. I

would be afraid that the air quality would be even worse inside the loop. We

live in Northwest Houston(Spring) and I've always been concerned about the air

quality(or lack of!) here but as far as the humidity, I have adjusted to that.

As someone mentioned before, since everything is air conditioned-- it's not a

big issue with me. It does limit the time of day to do fun things outside to

early morning or evening, unless you're in a swimming pool!

a

Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've never

experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and we don't

want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any suggestions...

other than to move somewhere up north!?!

-

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

[Guest guest]

Hi all I am new to the group I live in Sacramento and may HAVE to move to Texas

for my dad. I posted to but have not heard from her? I called a few

parents in Austin and nobody was happy with the schools. I even called private

consultants and they had nothing positive to say. CA is big on the social

component like RDI but RDI is Houston so I was excited about that but called RDI

and they said they are NOT in the schools?? We hear Humble is okay,and Katy is

the best..Heard nothing of Dallas but that's where my family is. Anyone have any

knowledge of Dallas maybe its better. Its costly here but it seems we are the

only state with a REGIONAL CENTER and when it comes to respite and help that's

very important. I thought we could find a decent public school I would get over

the humidity and yes even the FLYING COACHROACHES! I hear more about those than

anything jeez! other than that I would love Texas!

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

-Hello ,

We live in Houston, I am a local and my husband is a CA'er, we have

two boys, one AU, Houston, our zip code is the most toxic in the

country. My children are doing better but require massive biomedical

treatments. Schools are a dismal situation as we are currently

looking for a private school for our son. I do not personally know

the school situation in Austin, I do know that you cannot get much

more toxic than Houston, we have been looking for a less polluted

area, it is difficult to change directions in a career for my husband

at 47, we are considering it. My advice would be Austin, however I do

not know particulars on cost of living etc, Houston is fairly cheap

housing. We wish you all the best.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " "

<noslenarual@c...> wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've

never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and

we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any

suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Very few people will tell you honestly because they don't want to be

relied upon. I can tell you all about the school districts and Texas

Education, General and Special Ed. It would be best to call me, I am

here the rest of the day today and then back on Monday morning for the

week. It is a good thing to move to Texas, a very good thing.

Dianne

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I have lived in the Houston area for 16 years and have never seen a flying

cockroach! I have seen water bugs as big as a hotwheel toy car and I have seen

large tree roaches that explode when barely touched but the insects that are

most bothersome are mosquitos. I was born and raised in CA and left there in my

late 20s. You do acclimate to the weather here but I can honestly say I have

never gotten use to it, nor do I like it, but hey, this is where my profession

brought me and now this is where my immediate family is. My parents live in

Santa Cruz, CA and whenever I go to visit them I pick up real estate magazines

and just day dream about moving back but it's just too cost prohibitive. Your

dollars go further here and housing is affordable, in fact just this morning I

heard on the local news that the median price for a home in Houston is $154,000,

that wouldn't buy you a shack back in my hometown. My husband's family lives in

the Dallas area but none of their children are special ed and so have no

interesting comments on school districts, however, I have heard good things

about Plano. Plano is northeast of Dallas and was recently on a list of desired

places to live for several different reasons. Recently, there were posts about

Kellar ISD being good?? Good luck in your decision.

I thought we could find a decent public school I would get over

the humidity and yes even the FLYING COACHROACHES! I hear more about those than

anything jeez! other than that I would love Texas!

[Guest guest]

Hi Dianne, can you email me back channel about the schools in Dallas Ft Worth

area. I am looking for a different school district to move to, and do not want

to make the same mistake we already made. my email is monghate@...

Thank you for your help, Marcia

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

Very few people will tell you honestly because they don't want to be

relied upon. I can tell you all about the school districts and Texas

Education, General and Special Ed. It would be best to call me, I am

here the rest of the day today and then back on Monday morning for the

week. It is a good thing to move to Texas, a very good thing.

Dianne

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I heard that Birdville ISD in Richland area (above Ft Worth) is good, but don't

know aobut their behavioral policies. That has been one of the biggest problems

in Texas in that they are caling the police when the kiddos have a rage. You

need to not only find out their educational policies for ASD but also their

behavioral policies when a child has a rage or is aggressvie. Coppell ISD is

also supposed to be good, as well as Plano and possibly ville. I have

heard both positive nad negative about Keler.;positive for education, and

negative for behavior. By the way, I am from the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

WHatever you do, do not go to Arlington ISD, and I don't recommend my school

idstrict, DUncanville ISD. It is best to stay out of the smaller school

districts even though they have high ratings (like Forney) because they don't

have enough funding to pay for the extra services our children need. I have a

friend who had a son in Richarson ISD and she ended up sending her son to

private school because they would not understand the needs fo an ADHD kid and

most of his teachers refused to follow his IEP even though it was adequately

designed. Hope that some fo this helps, but keep checking with people. Marcia

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

-Hello ,

We live in Houston, I am a local and my husband is a CA'er, we have

two boys, one AU, Houston, our zip code is the most toxic in the

country. My children are doing better but require massive biomedical

treatments. Schools are a dismal situation as we are currently

looking for a private school for our son. I do not personally know

the school situation in Austin, I do know that you cannot get much

more toxic than Houston, we have been looking for a less polluted

area, it is difficult to change directions in a career for my husband

at 47, we are considering it. My advice would be Austin, however I do

not know particulars on cost of living etc, Houston is fairly cheap

housing. We wish you all the best.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " "

<noslenarual@c...> wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've

never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and

we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any

suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I know a lady through a message board that her teenage daughter goes to Keller

school district. Her daughter is ASD and mild MR. They have some great

programs for buddy system type things and she has only had good things to say

about them. Of course this is second hand info and only one persons opinion but

Jessies Neuro and ST both said they had good programs for ASD kids but that was

6 years ago this was said to me by them. Do not move to the

Azle/Reno/Springtown area these schools SUCK! And this is the reason that I

homeschool my boys!

Marcye

M Monghate wrote:

I heard that Birdville ISD in Richland area (above Ft Worth) is good, but don't

know aobut their behavioral policies. That has been one of the biggest problems

in Texas in that they are caling the police when the kiddos have a rage. You

need to not only find out their educational policies for ASD but also their

behavioral policies when a child has a rage or is aggressvie. Coppell ISD is

also supposed to be good, as well as Plano and possibly ville. I have

heard both positive nad negative about Keler.;positive for education, and

negative for behavior. By the way, I am from the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

WHatever you do, do not go to Arlington ISD, and I don't recommend my school

idstrict, DUncanville ISD. It is best to stay out of the smaller school

districts even though they have high ratings (like Forney) because they don't

have enough funding to pay for the extra services our children need. I have a

friend who had a son in Richarson ISD and she ended up sending her son to

private school because they would not understand the needs fo an ADHD kid and

most of his teachers refused to follow his IEP even though it was adequately

designed. Hope that some fo this helps, but keep checking with people. Marcia

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

-Hello ,

We live in Houston, I am a local and my husband is a CA'er, we have

two boys, one AU, Houston, our zip code is the most toxic in the

country. My children are doing better but require massive biomedical

treatments. Schools are a dismal situation as we are currently

looking for a private school for our son. I do not personally know

the school situation in Austin, I do know that you cannot get much

more toxic than Houston, we have been looking for a less polluted

area, it is difficult to change directions in a career for my husband

at 47, we are considering it. My advice would be Austin, however I do

not know particulars on cost of living etc, Houston is fairly cheap

housing. We wish you all the best.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " "

<noslenarual@c...> wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston. We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've

never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and

we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any

suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Birdville calls the police & they issue tickets. Happened to my nephew.

Tonya

Re: Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

I heard that Birdville ISD in Richland area (above Ft Worth) is good,

but don't know aobut their behavioral policies. That has been one of

the biggest problems in Texas in that they are caling the police when

the kiddos have a rage. You need to not only find out their educational

policies for ASD but also their behavioral policies when a child has a

rage or is aggressvie. Coppell ISD is also supposed to be good, as well

as Plano and possibly ville. I have heard both positive nad

negative about Keler.;positive for education, and negative for behavior.

By the way, I am from the Dallas/Ft Worth area. WHatever you do, do not

go to Arlington ISD, and I don't recommend my school idstrict,

DUncanville ISD. It is best to stay out of the smaller school districts

even though they have high ratings (like Forney) because they don't have

enough funding to pay for the extra services our children need. I have

a friend who had a son in Richarson ISD and she ended up sending her son

to private school because they would not understand the needs fo an ADHD

kid and most of his teachers refused to follow his IEP even though it

was adequately designed. Hope that some fo this helps, but keep

checking with people. Marcia

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

-Hello ,

We live in Houston, I am a local and my husband is a CA'er, we have

two boys, one AU, Houston, our zip code is the most toxic in the

country. My children are doing better but require massive

biomedical

treatments. Schools are a dismal situation as we are currently

looking for a private school for our son. I do not personally know

the school situation in Austin, I do know that you cannot get much

more toxic than Houston, we have been looking for a less polluted

area, it is difficult to change directions in a career for my

husband

at 47, we are considering it. My advice would be Austin, however I

do

not know particulars on cost of living etc, Houston is fairly cheap

housing. We wish you all the best.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " "

<noslenarual@c...> wrote:

> We're trying to decide between moving to Austing and Houston.

We're

> pathetic and worried about hurricanes and tornadoes, which we've

never

> experienced. We also want good schools & services for our son and

we don't

> want to be too miserable in super humid or hot weather. Any

suggestions...

> other than to move somewhere up north!?!

>

> -

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------

[Guest guest]

Flying cockroaches.... ah yes, I've seen those. I must say I like the

locusts that leave their " shells " on the trees much more! ;-)

I live in the Fort Worth area. My two cents is that if you want a

good school district in the D/FW area, you just need to follow the

money. The districts that I most often hear good things about are

Plano and Keller, both known for being " wealthier " cities. And Plano

has a lot of community activities for kids with autism and other

disabilities as well. If you follow the money theory,

COlleyville/Grapevine should be pretty good, too. And Frisco.

Probably following Plano's example. I've hear good and bad things

about Birdville. I've heard pretty much only bad about Fort Worth and

Arlington. But I've seen one or two good self-contained classes in

Fort Worth. I will also add that Fort Worth has a lot of very nice

cultural attractions and has some great plans on how to shape the

growth of the city.

Just my opinion...

> Birdville calls the police & they issue tickets. Happened to my

nephew.

> Tonya

>

> Re: Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

>

> I heard that Birdville ISD in Richland area (above Ft Worth) is

good,

> but don't know aobut their behavioral policies. That has been one

of

> the biggest problems in Texas in that they are caling the police

when

> the kiddos have a rage. You need to not only find out their

educational

> policies for ASD but also their behavioral policies when a child

has a

> rage or is aggressvie. Coppell ISD is also supposed to be good, as

well

> as Plano and possibly ville. I have heard both positive nad

> negative about Keler.;positive for education, and negative for

behavior.

> By the way, I am from the Dallas/Ft Worth area. WHatever you do,

do not

> go to Arlington ISD, and I don't recommend my school idstrict,

> DUncanville ISD. It is best to stay out of the smaller school

districts

> even though they have high ratings (like Forney) because they don't

have

> enough funding to pay for the extra services our children need. I

have

> a friend who had a son in Richarson ISD and she ended up sending

her son

> to private school because they would not understand the needs fo an

ADHD

> kid and most of his teachers refused to follow his IEP even though

it

> was adequately designed. Hope that some fo this helps, but keep

> checking with people. Marcia

> Re: Re: Moving to TX Advice?

HELP!

>

>

> Hi all I am new to the group I live in Sacramento and may HAVE to

move

> to Texas for my dad. I posted to but have not heard from

her?

> I called a few parents in Austin and nobody was happy with the

schools.

> I even called private consultants and they had nothing positive to

say.

> CA is big on the social component like RDI but RDI is Houston so I

was

> excited about that but called RDI and they said they are NOT in the

> schools?? We hear Humble is okay,and Katy is the best..Heard

nothing of

> Dallas but that's where my family is. Anyone have any knowledge of

> Dallas maybe its better. Its costly here but it seems we are the

only

> state with a REGIONAL CENTER and when it comes to respite and help

> that's very important. I thought we could find a decent public

school I

> would get over the humidity and yes even the FLYING COACHROACHES! I

> hear more about those than anything jeez! other than that I would

love

> Texas!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good to know. It really does boil down to the school.

RE: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

Be careful about recommending Tomball ISD --- I have worked with 3 parents

on the same issue --- they are reluctant to mainstream and provide supports.

One parent most likely going to due process...

Tomball has been on the black list on the TEA website for the past couple

years --- exceeding the inclusion formula - or whatever they call it --

where schools have a high percentage of children in secluded classrooms.

I have not heard good stories - so I may be missing the good things

has heard. Through working for Partners Resource Network- unfortunately

anytime I get a call from a parent about a school - it's generally not to

compliment them....

I'm sure as with any district - there are good schools in Tomball ISD - and

there are bad schools --- just letting you know that I have heard some bad

stories.

M

[Guest guest]

Hi a--

I find that a lot of the things that we want to do are in the museum

district area--the zoo, the children's museum, the museum of natural science

(cockrell butterfly center along with IMAX), six flags, riding bikes in

Hermann park and along the bayous, riding on metro, downtown festivals, the

arboretum, etc. Oh, the beach is only an hour away. I didn't mention the

suburbs because I simply don't know a lot of things going on out there, but

it seems that the majority of the folks who hate Houston are the ones who

live in the suburbs (like Woodlands, Conroe, SugarLand, Katy, Spring . . .

..). If my only view of the city were sitting sitting in traffic on the

freeway, I would probably feel negative too. I was just at a conference

last Saturday with one lady from Spring and one lady from Conroe, and as

they both entered the room they both said, " I hate Houston. " It's just a

really narrow view. I know people who have a great life in the north of

town, in the center of town, west of town, and south of town. We have some

other friends who just relocated here from Chicago to Bellaire (near the

Galleria area) and can't believe how good the quality of life actually is

versus what it's portrayed to be around the country.

The air quality is an issue--hard to say where it's worst. But I've lived in

Mexico City, so really it doesn't seem all THAT bad to me. That's what air

filters are for. And as far as the seasons, just realize that our great

months are Feb - May and October - Dec. After having had both the Texas

summer and the New England winter, I'll take going inside into the air

conditioning or swimming over scraping ice off my windshield and shoveling

snow any day of the week.

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

Hi ,

I was wondering why you specify " inside the loop " as opposed to the suburbs.

I would be afraid that the air quality would be even worse inside the loop.

We live in Northwest Houston(Spring) and I've always been concerned about

the air quality(or lack of!) here but as far as the humidity, I have

adjusted to that. As someone mentioned before, since everything is air

conditioned-- it's not a big issue with me. It does limit the time of day

to do fun things outside to early morning or evening, unless you're in a

swimming pool!

a

RE: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

Well, if you can live inside the loop, Houston has a lot more to offer

than Austin--quality of lifewise. Yeah, it's humid, but Austin gets

[Guest guest]

>That has been one of the biggest problems in Texas in that they are caling the

police when the kiddos have a rage. You need to not only find out their

educational policies for ASD but also their behavioral policies when a child has

a rage or is aggressvie.<

There are usually police on campus, at least ville has one. He is also the

training coordinator and a nice young man. It is a good idea to approach the

police with information about autism, and let them meet your child. We are

still hoping Dennis Debaubt comes to our county to train the law enforcement in

autism. If they know about it, it might help if they were called by the school.

>It is best to stay out of the smaller school districts even though they have

high ratings (like Forney) because they don't have enough funding to pay for the

extra services our children need.<

That may be true of most small school districts but ville has been generous

in providing services to Tristan. He has always had a TA and ST and OT,

inclusion part of the day, and EYS. ville is 40 minutes from Austin and

many people commute from here to there.

[Guest guest]

Actually, I love everything about Spring and the area we live in(ie. shopping,

schools, affordability of the homes!) EXCEPT the air quality. I hate that I

step outside for a few minutes and stink! I am especially concerned about our

twin boys with autism who already are prone to allergy-type issues. I

absolutely agree with what you said , regarding the weather here vs.

weather up north. We lived in Ohio for one year(first year of our marriage)

where Jeff attended law school. He is from Ohio and grew up shoveling snow,

etc. but I wasn't used to that! I used to say exactly what you said below to

people--that I'd much rather deal with the heat by simply turning on the air

conditioning vs. having to scrape ice off of the windshield and shovel a path to

get out of the driveway!(takes much less effort to just turn on the ole' AC)

RE: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

Well, if you can live inside the loop, Houston has a lot more to offer

than Austin--quality of lifewise. Yeah, it's humid, but Austin gets

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Partners Resource Network

www.PartnersTX.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for AUTISM.

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