Re: School Advice in Houston

[Guest guest]

My opinion on Westview, the same. They don't want kids with behavior issues. My

son has lots of language but his behaviors were not up to par for Westview. And

the teachers, from what I observed, not that good at dealing with autism issues.

They were quick to throw my son and I out of there. Not very compassionate.

Sorry, its the truth.

- Cristina

Re: School Advice in Houston

My son went there at 3 years old - and I CREDIT THEM and Jane for

getting our foot in the door as far as early intervention and ABA type

behavioral approaches. The Westview School was my lifesaver when my son was 3-4

years old and he attended there. Nothing but PRAISES for our time there....

However - in all honesty - it was suggested that we enroll him in the public

school because our son's needs were just too great. He is non-verbal and has

many self-stimulatory behaviors.

For the higher-functioning PDD or Asperger's diagnosis - that is a great

place.

I just do not want parents to be disappointed if their children don't meet

their " criteria " . Typically - their students are higher-functioning - and mine

just wasn't.

It's not a complaint or anything to think bad of them about - it is just

simply how they are equipped to work with children....

Sincerely,

ginam wrote:

What I have heard about Westview from other parents that they are only

interested in high functioning ASD kids. If your child is non-verbal and is

relatively older, they will not be interested.

School Advice in Houston

> We're considering putting our son (6yo w/PDD-NOS) in the Westview

> School next year. We're currently in CFISD and though I think the

> school is doing their best to help him, I don't think their best is

> what is best for him. It will be a tremendous financial struggle to

> pay for the school but if that's what he needs and we can make it

> happen, I guess we should. Just wondering if anyone else here has

> opinions on Westview specifically, or the whole public v. private

> school debate, in general. Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

> Texas Autism Advocacy

> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

> Texas Disability Network

> Calendar of Events

> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

[Guest guest]

after reading all the back and forth I can't help but respond. We started

my son at Westview when he was 3 yrs back when it was a small school in an

old tiny house. I agree with many opinions, Westview's focus has changed a

lot with time and " money " they want the very high functionioning kids, we

were asked to leave after my son turned 7 and I thought our whole word

would crumble. we've since been exposed to other options and being kicked

out of the school was probably the best thing that could have happened to

us. Also at the time we were there ABA was not something that was

practiced. maybe its changed.

cristinahavlik@ao

l.com

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Subject

03/21/2006 01:17 Re: School

PM Advice in Houston

Please respond to

Texas-Autism-Advo

cacyyahoogroups (DOT)

com

My opinion on Westview, the same. They don't want kids with behavior

issues. My son has lots of language but his behaviors were not up to par

for Westview. And the teachers, from what I observed, not that good at

dealing with autism issues. They were quick to throw my son and I out of

there. Not very compassionate. Sorry, its the truth.

- Cristina

Re: School Advice in Houston

My son went there at 3 years old - and I CREDIT THEM and Jane for

getting our foot in the door as far as early intervention and ABA type

behavioral approaches. The Westview School was my lifesaver when my son

was 3-4

years old and he attended there. Nothing but PRAISES for our time

there....

However - in all honesty - it was suggested that we enroll him in the

public

school because our son's needs were just too great. He is non-verbal and

has

many self-stimulatory behaviors.

For the higher-functioning PDD or Asperger's diagnosis - that is a great

place.

I just do not want parents to be disappointed if their children don't

meet

their " criteria " . Typically - their students are higher-functioning - and

mine

just wasn't.

It's not a complaint or anything to think bad of them about - it is just

simply how they are equipped to work with children....

Sincerely,

ginam wrote:

What I have heard about Westview from other parents that they are only

interested in high functioning ASD kids. If your child is non-verbal and

is

relatively older, they will not be interested.

School Advice in Houston

> We're considering putting our son (6yo w/PDD-NOS) in the Westview

> School next year. We're currently in CFISD and though I think the

> school is doing their best to help him, I don't think their best is

> what is best for him. It will be a tremendous financial struggle to

> pay for the school but if that's what he needs and we can make it

> happen, I guess we should. Just wondering if anyone else here has

> opinions on Westview specifically, or the whole public v. private

> school debate, in general. Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

> Texas Autism Advocacy

> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

> Texas Disability Network

> Calendar of Events

> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/21/2006 1:18:51 P.M. Central Standard Time,

cristinahavlik@... writes:

And the teachers, from what I observed, not that good at dealing with autism

issues.

Sorry, but I now have to chime in. I have tried to sit this one out but I've

been sitting here stewing. My son has been attending Westview for 2 years

and has made tremendous progress relatively quickly, beyond my expectations and

certainly beyond what the developmental pediatrician at the Meyer Center gave

me hope for. My son wasn't very verbal when he first began Westview but

after attending the school for 2 months he abandoned PECs because talking

became

his preferred method of communicating. My son's current teacher was named

" best teacher of the year " two years in a row.

My son's pre-K teacher, Ms. Kowalski has a daughter with Landau Klefner

Syndrome, which looks a lot like severe autism and she is non-verbal. My son's

teacher next year will be Ms. Varga and her son has PDD and CP. Ms. Varga's

teaching assistant Ms. Manier has a son with autism. Ms. Guzman a middle school

teacher has a daughter with autism. Ms. LeCompte the rotating & curriculum

coordinator has a son with autism. Ms. Malik the middle school secretary and

person responsible for development has a son with autism. Tara a new middle

school aide has a son with autism. Ms. Whitcomb an elementary teacher has a son

with moderate autism. Ms. Whitehead a teacher's aide and extended day

coordinator has a daughter with autism. Ms. Winkler the assistant administrator

has

a daughter with autism. An elementary teacher and an aide both have a

diagnosis of ADD and the aide is suspected to have undiagnosed Asperger's.

That's 12

teachers/aides with personal knowledge of autism spectrum disorders or

similar issues. Who knows, there are probably more staff members with a

personal

association to the disorder. I always hear how parents are experts of their

child's disorder and who knows best about handling behavior problems than mom?

If my son ever gets asked to leave and not come back, I will always be

grateful for the time spent there getting a great education from people who

truly

care about him. I have also gained two of the best childcare providers from

that school, people who know how to work with kids on the spectrum, people who

would never neglect them or abuse them.

R.

[Guest guest]

My son went to Westview for 2 years at age 6- he has PDD-NOS. I think Jane is

very candid about what she feels her school can(will) do for your child and

won't be able to do. I know we were disappointed when my son was no longer a

good fit for Westview because we loved the o/t and speech etc... they had on

campus, but as Jane said to us " Some parents are downright angry when I tell

them to look elsewhere for the next year, but more often than not, they come

back to thank me for moving them because they found a better fit for their

child. "

I will tell you that there are lots of 'not so great fits' that need to

leave, but as she said, we found a better setting for our son's needs at the

time. I think the anger I felt initially was more like " I can't believe I have

to start looking again! " Yes, it is awful that they select the type of

candidates that they want to keep,but if you know that going in...you're better

off. Many happy families stay on and speak very highly of the school and the

teachers. In Kindergarten at Westview, my son didn't have any exposure to ABA.

Not in First either. That must be either in the lower grades/preschool or new in

the last 2 school years. I know they were pretty rigid about a phonics based

reading program and my child learns best with a whole word approach to reading

and that didn't work for him. Best of luck in your search for a school for your

child.

Fran

School Advice in Houston

> We're considering putting our son (6yo w/PDD-NOS) in the Westview

> School next year. We're currently in CFISD and though I think the

> school is doing their best to help him, I don't think their best is

> what is best for him. It will be a tremendous financial struggle to

> pay for the school but if that's what he needs and we can make it

> happen, I guess we should. Just wondering if anyone else here has

> opinions on Westview specifically, or the whole public v. private

> school debate, in general. Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

> Texas Autism Advocacy

> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

> Texas Disability Network

> Calendar of Events

> www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2006 9:48:45 P.M. Central Standard Time,

rosietosky@... writes:

does Westview offers any type of help for kids for parents with low income?

Rosie, yes there is financial assistance available but I do not have any

first had knowledge of the eligibility requirements. Call the school to inquire

at .

[Guest guest]

Westview. .do you know any thing about schoolarship. My son was diagnosted with

autism syndrom , right now he is in public school, but unfortunaly the teacher

and aids have no much training about ABA or any kind of approching a kid with

this type of disability, they really try but in my opinion is not enough...any

way, does Westview offers any type of help for kids for parents with low income?

if you could give me any information will be appreciated

Thank you

Rosie I

kgreeceman@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/21/2006 1:18:51 P.M. Central Standard Time,

cristinahavlik@... writes:

And the teachers, from what I observed, not that good at dealing with autism

issues.

Sorry, but I now have to chime in. I have tried to sit this one out but I've

been sitting here stewing. My son has been attending Westview for 2 years

and has made tremendous progress relatively quickly, beyond my expectations and

certainly beyond what the developmental pediatrician at the Meyer Center gave

me hope for. My son wasn't very verbal when he first began Westview but

after attending the school for 2 months he abandoned PECs because talking

became

his preferred method of communicating. My son's current teacher was named

" best teacher of the year " two years in a row.

My son's pre-K teacher, Ms. Kowalski has a daughter with Landau Klefner

Syndrome, which looks a lot like severe autism and she is non-verbal. My son's

teacher next year will be Ms. Varga and her son has PDD and CP. Ms. Varga's

teaching assistant Ms. Manier has a son with autism. Ms. Guzman a middle school

teacher has a daughter with autism. Ms. LeCompte the rotating & curriculum

coordinator has a son with autism. Ms. Malik the middle school secretary and

person responsible for development has a son with autism. Tara a new middle

school aide has a son with autism. Ms. Whitcomb an elementary teacher has a son

with moderate autism. Ms. Whitehead a teacher's aide and extended day

coordinator has a daughter with autism. Ms. Winkler the assistant administrator

has

a daughter with autism. An elementary teacher and an aide both have a

diagnosis of ADD and the aide is suspected to have undiagnosed Asperger's.

That's 12

teachers/aides with personal knowledge of autism spectrum disorders or

similar issues. Who knows, there are probably more staff members with a

personal

association to the disorder. I always hear how parents are experts of their

child's disorder and who knows best about handling behavior problems than mom?

If my son ever gets asked to leave and not come back, I will always be

grateful for the time spent there getting a great education from people who

truly

care about him. I have also gained two of the best childcare providers from

that school, people who know how to work with kids on the spectrum, people who

would never neglect them or abuse them.

R.

[Guest guest]

One more chiming in about Westview...

My son is in his sixth year there, and has made very good progress.

In his first few years, Westview was an absolutely perfect fit for

him. Later, as his needs have begun to drift a bit further from the

average of the other students, it has been a bit tougher to find the

perfect placement. Truly, the range of different abilities is pretty

wide, and when kids need to be grouped according to their social

proficiency, academic progress, learning styles, and age range, the

task of running an elementary school for kids on the spectrum becomes

monumental... Yes, my son is relatively high functioning. But he's

not going to be the success story you read about in any brochures,

because, without a miracle, he'll never be mainstreamed. But he's

making progress to the best of his ability and is happy and self-

confident. That alone is worth the price of admission.

I need to ask a somewhat rhetorical question to the parent of a non-

verbal elementary aged child with significant behavior issues -- Do

you truly, honestly, feel that a modified classroom environment with

8 kids to two adults is the best place for your child? Is your child

really able to learn in a group setting with 7 other children

functioning at a similar level? Because this is how Westview works.

If your child's needs are more intense, if you need more adults or

fewer children, more therapy breaks or fewer distractions, one on one

instruction to master academic concepts or maintain on-task behavior -

- then Westview isn't the right place. And they'd do you no favors

by admitting your child.

My child was asked to leave an elite private LD school once, and I

vividly remember the offense, the hurt pride, the outrage, the

disappointment and confusion... But it was absolutely the right

decision. That school was not set up to meet his needs, and he had

taken too much of the teacher's attention from the other children,

yet still made too little progress himself. It was, quite simply, a

bad fit. It's a wonderful school, and several friends' children

still go there, with outstanding results.

For children whose abilities fall within the Westview range, it's a

wonderful program. For the children who don't fit within that range -

I do empathize. I know how tough it is to hear that 'school X' is

supposed to be 'the best', but that your child can't attend. My

point is just that there is no universal 'the best' for children with

autism. Only the best for your child at this time.

[Guest guest]

Well, I do live in Houston and I expirence the exact treatment from

Westview.....I took my son 2years ago, back then I spoke with a man. Sorry I

meant to forget his name...because I could not understant why my son wasn't

accepted,....because he was not a rich kid or because according with one day

observation my son wasn't qualify as a high function autistic kid.........I do

agree....autism sydrom comes with behavior problems,,,but there is no school so

far that understand and takes kid that need help, like your son and mine and who

know how many are out there with the same situation..........yes it is very

frustrated......what to do? ..does any one knows?

Sheila wrote:

I probably shouldn't be responding to this because I don't live in Houston but

I cannot help but do so. 2 years ago I drove to Westview from New Orleans with

my son who was guaranteed a spot over the phone by Jane . Unfortunately

my son who was 4 at the time didn't present well as he still doesn't. Once she

observed him she immediately decided that she didn't have a spot for him

afterall. I was so hurt and angered by this I went back to New Orleans and

started establishing a school for children with autistic characteristics. I had

observed quite a few schools by the time I saw Westview and I can tell you from

what I saw two years ago, only the highest functioning autistic children were

there. I had a friend at the time whose son did present well but was kicked out

after the first year because he didn't develop language. This was astonishing

to me as I couldn't understand why a school that advertised as one for children

with autism and PDD would not work with

behaviors or language problems all of which seem to be characteristic of autism.

Even now I cannot find a school that wants to work with my son's challenges. My

biggest heartbreak is that I lost my school the day it was suppose to open due

to Hurricane Katrina. I only hope to one day have something for my child again

and others like him where he won't be judged because he has autism but

diligently worked with in a nurturing compassionate environment.

_______________________________________________

No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.

Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

[Guest guest]

Very very very well put !

That is one of the major " issues " with the Autism Spectrum -- it being such a

spectrum! We all see how difficult it is for our kids in public school to find

that niche - and we are expecting private schools to do better.

I have read all the posts on this issue - and EVERYONE has a valid point. But

to put a dark cloud over a school because they are brave enough to be honest

about what they can and can't do -- is not fair. I did remember my hurt

feelings on behalf of my son. It was yet another thorn in hearing that

" something else is wrong with him if he can't fit in this school " --- but it was

the truth. He needed more than they could offer.

There's no perfect solution unless we can get the Legislature to provide more

grants for private schools like Westview to expand, etc.

I don't know what the answer is....

****

To the guy who remembers Westview's little white house --- that is too funny -

we probably WERE there at the same time! My son's teacher's name was Elaine I

believe...

" susan.chism " wrote:

One more chiming in about Westview...

My son is in his sixth year there, and has made very good progress.

In his first few years, Westview was an absolutely perfect fit for him. Later,

as his needs have begun to drift a bit further from the average of the other

students, it has been a bit tougher to find the

perfect placement. Truly, the range of different abilities is pretty wide, and

when kids need to be grouped according to their social

proficiency, academic progress, learning styles, and age range, the task of

running an elementary school for kids on the spectrum becomes monumental...

Yes, my son is relatively high functioning. But he's not going to be the

success story you read about in any brochures,

because, without a miracle, he'll never be mainstreamed. But he's making

progress to the best of his ability and is happy and self-confident. That alone

is worth the price of admission.

I need to ask a somewhat rhetorical question to the parent of a non-verbal

elementary aged child with significant behavior issues -- Do you truly,

honestly, feel that a modified classroom environment with

8 kids to two adults is the best place for your child? Is your child really

able to learn in a group setting with 7 other children functioning at a similar

level? Because this is how Westview works.

If your child's needs are more intense, if you need more adults or fewer

children, more therapy breaks or fewer distractions, one on one instruction to

master academic concepts or maintain on-task behavior -

- then Westview isn't the right place. And they'd do you no favors by admitting

your child.

My child was asked to leave an elite private LD school once, and I vividly

remember the offense, the hurt pride, the outrage, the disappointment and

confusion... But it was absolutely the right

decision. That school was not set up to meet his needs, and he had taken too

much of the teacher's attention from the other children,

yet still made too little progress himself. It was, quite simply, a bad fit.

It's a wonderful school, and several friends' children still go there, with

outstanding results.

For children whose abilities fall within the Westview range, it's a wonderful

program. For the children who don't fit within that range -I do empathize. I

know how tough it is to hear that 'school X' is

supposed to be 'the best', but that your child can't attend. My point is just

that there is no universal 'the best' for children with autism. Only the best

for your child at this time.

M. Guppy - " God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much

love we do it. "

What we do for ourselves lasts only a moment; but what we do for others ~

lasts a lifetime...

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!

Listowner & Facilitator of: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I have to strongly disagree about the Westview school. In my opinion, if

you tout your school as a school for Autism, yet would not accommodate the

majority of the children with Autism based on the very basic symptoms that

identify them as autistic (language and behavior) is a disservice and

borderline unethical.

They could have called the school " school of special needs " or something but

not an Autism school.

Imagine a school for the deaf tuning down children that are hard of hearing.

Unbelievable!

> But to put a dark cloud over a school because they are brave enough to

> be honest about what they can and can't do -- is not fair. I did

> remember my hurt feelings on behalf of my son. It was yet another thorn

> in hearing that " something else is wrong with him if he can't fit in this

> school " --- but it was the truth. He needed more than they could offer.

>