RE: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

[Guest guest]

Good Luck when selecting an area to move into. My first suggestion is

that if you have children on the spectrum that you begin by considering

different schools and programs here. I have now received advise from 5

different professionals that we should pack up from our small home town

and MOVE! Unfortunately we are in the middle of a remodel which we are

doing ... as $$ permits, kinda hard to do that since our CRANDALL ISD

won't help us with our child with Asperger Syndrome!

All I can say..........................is.........................

BUYER BEWARE............... Texas Education System isn't the most

friendly to children with special needs. Check out the hearings on the

TEA website. They say that only 1 in 67 or so families win in due

process hearings.

I have heard that up in the Denton, ville Collin County areas that

some programs exist. But I have also heard that kids in the same

district do not receive the same programming options as kids in the

" right " schools wiithin the district!

GOOD LUCK!

very tire MOM4kody

P.S. Our 3rd ARD STALLED AGAIN YESTERDAY. We've been at this since

August 2004.

[Guest guest]

I agree with , although we do live outside the loop and the area is

building up so fast -- lots to do and see. We are on the northwest side of

town, outside of 1960/6, and it isn't nearly as humid as the areas southeast

of town IMO. And as far as the services go, I highly recommend the Cy-Fair

ISD -- we moved from New Jersey where the services were fabulous, and I can

honestly say we have not been disappointed (despite the dire warnings to not

move here, LOL). Connor attends Copeland Elementary and we have never had

to fight for anything in regards to his services. Lesa Cain was the

principal there and has been transferred to another school :-(, but the

services are in place at Copeland and so far the new principal is great too.

I don't remember what school Lesa is at now (it's nearby), but that would

be a school I'd consider, too.

When we were looking to move down here, I found the cost of living much

higher in Austin, and my sister lives there and is not thrilled with her

schools (no special needs kids, but still...). Anyway, I can't speak for

the rest of Austin, but that is what we found out as we were asking the same

questions you are. So far we are very, very happy!

e

>

>Reply-To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

>To: <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >

>Subject: RE: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

>Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:27:25 -0500

>

>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]

If you are looking at Austin you can't live in Austin ISD. However we are in

Pflugerville and very happy. His teachers and paras have a very good

understanding of autism and the head of special ed is a BCBA. They increased

his OT before I asked for it, and have given me every thing I have asked for

except individual ST (he is not that delayed any more). I have also heard good

things about Leander ISD, but don't know anyone there. Most of my friends are

in Round Rock ISD and having a hard time. It seems as though they have decided

that OT is never needed even if a 5 year old can't hold a pencil correctly.

Housing in Austin is more expensive than Houston. The air quality is not as

polluted as Houston, but has its own problems. If you don't have airborne

allergies now - you will. While the traffic is horrible, drive times are not

really much worse. Houston is really spread out around a huge area. You are

driving half the distance in Austin, but the actual time in the car isn't any

more. And hey, if you don't mind having every highway a toll road, there will

be lots of highways in 10 years. I think medicine here is picking up, but not

as good as the big city. Thoughful house is great, and many individuals here

are open to " alternative " medicine. But, in general the medical community is

very traditional. By this I mean if they didn't study it in medical school, it

doesn't exist. The demand for anyone who even knows what DAN! is, heavily

exceeds the supply.

Kim Tagge wrote:

,

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]

this in in CA, where are you in Texas, where is Copeland?

Nat

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 am a parent of a six year old little boy who was strapped in a

high chair all day in a public school before we found out about

Tomball isd Structured learning lab. The special ed director,

diagnostian and the teacher took the time to drive to our town and

observe my son. Tomball has been a blessing to us and to our son.

The progress that he has made in a years time is tremendous. I have

to praise the teachers at Rosehill Elem and Mrs. Kay Cropper who got

this program going. Although some would like to discredited -

Tomball - I know all school districts have their problems but for

the 12 or so families whose children are in this program all would

say that it has made a huge impact on the lives of our children.

Maybe tomball isn't so great on mainstreaming but for my son he is

getting the best education without having to pay a arm and a leg for

aba therapy. I believe the program in Tomball will be regconized

in the near future for their achievments. This program has only

been in place for two years and I see a bright future for all the

children who are placed in it.

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , Guppy

<michellemguppy@y...> wrote:

> 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 <cmtssingleton@e...> 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]

I am one of those rare creatures known as Native Houstonians. Born,

raised & have spent 95% of my life here. Water Bugs (flying

roaches), hurricanes and floods aside: You will NEVER find a city

as fiendly, outgoing & ready-to-jump-in-and-help as Houston---We

have an EXTREMELY diverse culture & you can find a niche in most

parts of town.

As for the schools: I am the child & product of HISD schools. As

a parent, I would NOT recommend them (the schools), UNLESS you are

in a magnet program. That said; we have SEVERAL good and great

suburban school districts. Check out the Report Card section of the

Houston Chronicle that was published on 4/3/05. You can request an

archived copy or pay for web access to their archives.

I am moderately happy with Cy-Fair ISD. I cannot say enough about

the support I am receiving for my Autistic son...BUT, I am fighting

tooth-and-nail over support for my ADHD son....IN THE SAME SCHOOL!

Katy and Spring Branch districts (I have been told) ahve better

Autism support.

Bugs are just part of life in TX. My husband and children ALL laugh

@ me when I shriek & stand on the toilet to avoid a Water Bug. You

DON'T know what fear is until you've had one fly in your face, etc...

In the end, every time I have left.....I always come back to

Houston. Hope this helps.

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]

Hi - I'd be cautious in recommending Spring Branch ISD. We have several

good things going for us here in SBISD, but it's far from perfect. Here are

the strengths: we do have special autism units that incorporate elements of

ABA (and TEACHH), we have an Asperger's program that parents seem to really

like, we have an active group of special ed families, we have an

administration and board that at the moment are pretty receptive to parent

feedback, and we have many good teachers. Here are the weaknesses: the

autism units need more and better ABA consulting support, teachers and paras

across the district need much more training, and we are behind in inclusion.

Our special ed director just resigned, so next year could look completely

different for sped in SBISD.

Geraldine

Re: Moving to TX Advice? HELP!

>I am one of those rare creatures known as Native Houstonians. Born,

> raised & have spent 95% of my life here. Water Bugs (flying

> roaches), hurricanes and floods aside: You will NEVER find a city

> as fiendly, outgoing & ready-to-jump-in-and-help as Houston---We

> have an EXTREMELY diverse culture & you can find a niche in most

> parts of town.

> As for the schools: I am the child & product of HISD schools. As

> a parent, I would NOT recommend them (the schools), UNLESS you are

> in a magnet program. That said; we have SEVERAL good and great

> suburban school districts. Check out the Report Card section of the

> Houston Chronicle that was published on 4/3/05. You can request an

> archived copy or pay for web access to their archives.

> I am moderately happy with Cy-Fair ISD. I cannot say enough about

> the support I am receiving for my Autistic son...BUT, I am fighting

> tooth-and-nail over support for my ADHD son....IN THE SAME SCHOOL!

> Katy and Spring Branch districts (I have been told) ahve better

> Autism support.

> Bugs are just part of life in TX. My husband and children ALL laugh

> @ me when I shriek & stand on the toilet to avoid a Water Bug. You

> DON'T know what fear is until you've had one fly in your face, etc...

>

> In the end, every time I have left.....I always come back to

> Houston. Hope this helps.

>

>

>

> 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.

>

>

>