Re: location and Education Question

December 27, 2010

Hi ,

Â Â Â Â Â Â I have done quite a bit of research concerning services such as the

medicaid waiver. Colorado, in my opinion is far more advanced and willing to

change than any state.Â Is your son on the medicaid childrens waiver?Â In

colorado parents can provide services if they become providers.

Â Â Â Â Â As far as school goes , your son has rights and I'm almost certain

the

school you send your son to gets money to provide services to children with

special needs. s law is one web site with alot of good information. They

also sell a good IEP book.Â If you ask the school for anything make sure it is

documented. If you have a conversation in person and expect follow-up from the

discussion , email the person , to refer to the conversation and the expected

follow-up.Â Try to never sound like a b in a email because they will try to

make

you look like a b instead of a advocate for your son.Â

Jane.Â Â Â P.S if you want a good school for a disabled child don't come to

Wyoming

________________________________

To:

Sent: Mon, December 27, 2010 7:19:40 AM

Subject: location and Education Question

Â

Hey everyone, I'm still newer with the Autism Spectrum of all of this and trying

to do research (which it seems I'm not the best with the internet) Anyway we

currently live in Tucson and with my husband's job we have the opportunity to

keep moving if we desire. We came from FL 9 months ago and feel that our son had

much better education there though I know it's not the best. Well to get to it,

how can I research different states for special needs Ed. It seems anywhere I'm

looking to go is ranking low. Our son is pretty bad off and needs a lot of help

and so far still trying to get it here in AZ, meanwhile he's spiraling down fast

and furious. We thought maybe getting back closer to family may help but I'm not

sure if that's best for me. Our issue too is that my husband and I would like to

get some land and farm (completely away from city life) but it seems you can't

have that and good education. We were very serious about CO but I heard they are

lacking in the special ed dept. Any imput? I think it comes down to I can't have

my cake and eat it too.

My family is so tore up about being away from the kids that I feel obligated to

move closer (and of course I miss being close to them) but growing up in FL and

seeing how it isn't the same kind of deters me away. My husband and I feel that

high on our priority list is natural beauty with our own piece of land, etc as

it helps my psychy, but of course our children are at the top of that list so I

need to do what's best for them too.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

December 27, 2010

Thanks for your advice...In FL (our son) was on medicaid but once we

moved to AZ we were put on a different secondary insurance which I guess is the

equivalent since I was told his medicaid will not transfer states....I think you

are right and I really need to do more reading which includes this book you are

speaking of - a friend gave me one and shame on me I haven't even opened it.

I'm just going to have to do it. As far as the school goes, I know better than

to get nasty like that although being as laid back as I have has gotten me to be

a little walked over in terms of when we got our Autistic Diagnosis the teacher

told my husband that it doesn't mean I'll get more services. And on top of

that, we have Ash on GF/CF diet and each time we've gone into school (which we

discussed with the school) he's got pasta or rice on his plate and I wouldn't

know what else they've been giving him when I'm not there to see. He still

doesn't feed himself which we are all working on, but I noticed since he won't

touch (for ex.) his sandwich, they just had him sitting in front of his plate

and nobody was trying to help him while he was self stimming and not eating.

So, if he keeps being neglected like that I may eventually get nasty. I

requested an updated IEP which the teacher hasn't gotten back with me on

(requested 2 weeks before break) but I'm being patient and it gives me time to

do this research I obviously need to do.

Anyway, I'm glad Colorado doesn't seem to be out of the picture. Thanks again.

>

> Hi ,

>

> Â Â Â Â Â Â I have done quite a bit of research concerning services such as

the

> medicaid waiver. Colorado, in my opinion is far more advanced and willing to

> change than any state.Â Is your son on the medicaid childrens waiver?Â In

> colorado parents can provide services if they become providers.

>

> Â Â Â Â Â As far as school goes , your son has rights and I'm almost certain

the

> school you send your son to gets money to provide services to children with

> special needs. s law is one web site with alot of good information. They

> also sell a good IEP book.Â If you ask the school for anything make sure it

is

> documented. If you have a conversation in person and expect follow-up from the

> discussion , email the person , to refer to the conversation and the expected

> follow-up.Â Try to never sound like a b in a email because they will try to

make

> you look like a b instead of a advocate for your son.Â

>

> Jane.Â Â Â P.S if you want a good school for a disabled child don't come to

> Wyoming

>

> ________________________________

>

> To:

> Sent: Mon, December 27, 2010 7:19:40 AM

> Subject: location and Education Question

>

> Â

> Hey everyone, I'm still newer with the Autism Spectrum of all of this and

trying

> to do research (which it seems I'm not the best with the internet) Anyway we

> currently live in Tucson and with my husband's job we have the opportunity to

> keep moving if we desire. We came from FL 9 months ago and feel that our son

had

> much better education there though I know it's not the best. Well to get to

it,

> how can I research different states for special needs Ed. It seems anywhere

I'm

> looking to go is ranking low. Our son is pretty bad off and needs a lot of

help

> and so far still trying to get it here in AZ, meanwhile he's spiraling down

fast

> and furious. We thought maybe getting back closer to family may help but I'm

not

> sure if that's best for me. Our issue too is that my husband and I would like

to

> get some land and farm (completely away from city life) but it seems you can't

> have that and good education. We were very serious about CO but I heard they

are

> lacking in the special ed dept. Any imput? I think it comes down to I can't

have

> my cake and eat it too.

>

> My family is so tore up about being away from the kids that I feel obligated

to

> move closer (and of course I miss being close to them) but growing up in FL

and

> seeing how it isn't the same kind of deters me away. My husband and I feel

that

> high on our priority list is natural beauty with our own piece of land, etc as

> it helps my psychy, but of course our children are at the top of that list so

I

> need to do what's best for them too.

>

> Any help would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

>

December 27, 2010

- feel your pain. We havemoved 4 times with our son ELie - each time

except the last hoping for a better educational environment. And each time

it has devolved into simply who the teacher was - no matter what the school

system sounds like on paper.

So we were in the urban NORFOLK< VA> K-2 was wonderful. Third was a horror

- same school, same system, same principal but digfferent teacher.

So we moved to rural VA thinking in a small district her would/couldn't be

segregated. But the teacher was terrible. The OT first intriduced us to

sensory integratiuon and was great. BUt we left after one year.

Smi urban PA was next with a school district which gets A plus for its

college bound students - very uneven middle school, but we stayed e4e years

until time for h/s. Then we moved closer to urban Philly to take advantage

of the approved private schools we felt would be best for Elie. Sgain -

very uneven. Some years great, some only bearable.

Then wemoved to ruralGA thinking that it was only one year of school and at

least we could have time to plan. BEST YEAR EVER and continues to be a good

fit for our sons with his adult life.

North GA mts have lots of land and praices are cheap. Our county has a

great program and seems to have good teachers for the more severely affected

students. Midsdle and hg/s are fantastic. Can check on elementary,

>

> Hey everyone, I'm still newer with the Autism Spectrum of all of this and

> trying to do research (which it seems I'm not the best with the internet)

> Anyway we currently live in Tucson and with my husband's job we have the

> opportunity to keep moving if we desire. We came from FL 9 months ago and

> feel that our son had much better education there though I know it's not the

> best. Well to get to it, how can I research different states for special

> needs Ed. It seems anywhere I'm looking to go is ranking low. Our son is

> pretty bad off and needs a lot of help and so far still trying to get it

> here in AZ, meanwhile he's spiraling down fast and furious. We thought maybe

> getting back closer to family may help but I'm not sure if that's best for

> me. Our issue too is that my husband and I would like to get some land and

> farm (completely away from city life) but it seems you can't have that and

> good education. We were very serious about CO but I heard they are lacking

> in the special ed dept. Any imput? I think it comes down to I can't have my

> cake and eat it too.

>

> My family is so tore up about being away from the kids that I feel

> obligated to move closer (and of course I miss being close to them) but

> growing up in FL and seeing how it isn't the same kind of deters me away. My

> husband and I feel that high on our priority list is natural beauty with our

> own piece of land, etc as it helps my psychy, but of course our children are

> at the top of that list so I need to do what's best for them too.

>

> Any help would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

>

--

Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

December 27, 2010

Hi :

I know nothing about the southern states having been a life long northern

Midwest person however, in regards to rural vs. city life I have been

surprised by how well the rural communities do around Madison. I also

thought that we would have to stay in the city for the boys to get the best

education but in our teen DS group, the kids who live in the small towns

around Madison seem to do better. As with most urban districts, Madison no

longer has the financial resources to meet the needs of their changing

demographics. Madison has the worst racial achievement gap in the nation

and needs to do education in a new way and yet just can't pull it off.

Special education is always impacted by other kinds of disparities in

education. So, while Madison has a great reputation for education in

general, the teens who live in the small towns outside Madison seem to have

better inclusion experiences and have to fight with the school less. The

only downside to rural living is when they become adults, no public

transportation and fewer job opportunities are what we see.

It is always a huge struggle trying to figure out where to live. Do what is

best for you and trust that it will be the best for your son. I don't know

if it is the autism part of my boys or what but as much as I want them to

have friends to play with, they seem happiest when our family and just our

family has adventures. Maybe it is because we provide the right kind of

structure and support, I don't know. In a small town or rural area, your

kids will know everyone and depending on the spirit of the place, that might

be perfect for your son.

Good Luck,

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of

Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 8:20 AM

To:

Subject: location and Education Question

Hey everyone, I'm still newer with the Autism Spectrum of all of this and

trying to do research (which it seems I'm not the best with the internet)

Anyway we currently live in Tucson and with my husband's job we have the

opportunity to keep moving if we desire. We came from FL 9 months ago and

feel that our son had much better education there though I know it's not the

best. Well to get to it, how can I research different states for special

needs Ed. It seems anywhere I'm looking to go is ranking low. Our son is

pretty bad off and needs a lot of help and so far still trying to get it

here in AZ, meanwhile he's spiraling down fast and furious. We thought maybe

getting back closer to family may help but I'm not sure if that's best for

me. Our issue too is that my husband and I would like to get some land and

farm (completely away from city life) but it seems you can't have that and

good education. We were very serious about CO but I heard they are lacking

in the special ed dept. Any imput? I think it comes down to I can't have my

cake and eat it too.

My family is so tore up about being away from the kids that I feel obligated

to move closer (and of course I miss being close to them) but growing up in

FL and seeing how it isn't the same kind of deters me away. My husband and I

feel that high on our priority list is natural beauty with our own piece of

land, etc as it helps my psychy, but of course our children are at the top

of that list so I need to do what's best for them too.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

December 27, 2010

Funny you bring up GA because one of the places we can transfer to is Jesup, GA.

I called the schools there to talk to someone in special ed. but I'm still

learning and don't know the best questions to ask, etc. But, I believe you are

right about the teacher having a major influence. I guess there is no simple

answer.

Thanks so much

>

> >

> > Hey everyone, I'm still newer with the Autism Spectrum of all of this and

> > trying to do research (which it seems I'm not the best with the internet)

> > Anyway we currently live in Tucson and with my husband's job we have the

> > opportunity to keep moving if we desire. We came from FL 9 months ago and

> > feel that our son had much better education there though I know it's not the

> > best. Well to get to it, how can I research different states for special

> > needs Ed. It seems anywhere I'm looking to go is ranking low. Our son is

> > pretty bad off and needs a lot of help and so far still trying to get it

> > here in AZ, meanwhile he's spiraling down fast and furious. We thought maybe

> > getting back closer to family may help but I'm not sure if that's best for

> > me. Our issue too is that my husband and I would like to get some land and

> > farm (completely away from city life) but it seems you can't have that and

> > good education. We were very serious about CO but I heard they are lacking

> > in the special ed dept. Any imput? I think it comes down to I can't have my

> > cake and eat it too.

> >

> > My family is so tore up about being away from the kids that I feel

> > obligated to move closer (and of course I miss being close to them) but

> > growing up in FL and seeing how it isn't the same kind of deters me away. My

> > husband and I feel that high on our priority list is natural beauty with our

> > own piece of land, etc as it helps my psychy, but of course our children are

> > at the top of that list so I need to do what's best for them too.

> >

> > Any help would be appreciated.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

>

> --

> Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

>

December 27, 2010

Thanks Lori, and you may be right about that because since we've moved away

we've become closer as a family and have found our own " ways " of doing things

and having fun. I don't want to keep moving because you know how our kids are

with change, yet we've got to find our home (renting now) and that's one thing I

miss about where we were in FL is everyone (such as in church) are always asking

about us and knew my family and it would be nice to have that again (but

somewhere we decide to move).

Thanks again, it helps to hear everyone's perspective on it.

>

> Hi :

>

> I know nothing about the southern states having been a life long northern

> Midwest person however, in regards to rural vs. city life I have been

> surprised by how well the rural communities do around Madison. I also

> thought that we would have to stay in the city for the boys to get the best

> education but in our teen DS group, the kids who live in the small towns

> around Madison seem to do better. As with most urban districts, Madison no

> longer has the financial resources to meet the needs of their changing

> demographics. Madison has the worst racial achievement gap in the nation

> and needs to do education in a new way and yet just can't pull it off.

> Special education is always impacted by other kinds of disparities in

> education. So, while Madison has a great reputation for education in

> general, the teens who live in the small towns outside Madison seem to have

> better inclusion experiences and have to fight with the school less. The

> only downside to rural living is when they become adults, no public

> transportation and fewer job opportunities are what we see.

>

> It is always a huge struggle trying to figure out where to live. Do what is

> best for you and trust that it will be the best for your son. I don't know

> if it is the autism part of my boys or what but as much as I want them to

> have friends to play with, they seem happiest when our family and just our

> family has adventures. Maybe it is because we provide the right kind of

> structure and support, I don't know. In a small town or rural area, your

> kids will know everyone and depending on the spirit of the place, that might

> be perfect for your son.

>

> Good Luck,

>

> Lori

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

> Of

> Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 8:20 AM