Re: Best East Coast States for Asperger's

[Guest guest]

I can speak from the early childhood level - New York State (at

least Erie County) is excellent. We havent hit K yet, so I don't

know about that.

Gwen

>

> Can someone tell me how New Jersey is as far giving IEPs and

services

> in school to Asperger's kids ? Also, how are Connecticut,

Massachusetts

> and Rhode Island ?

>

> Thanks !

>

> Kathi

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! Thought I'd chime in on New Jersey. We live in Metuchen which is

small. I'd say we've been pretty satisfied...teachers, for the most

part, have made monumental efforts to understand our son's issues. For

the last 2 years (3rd and 4th grades), he has had a one-on-one in-class

aide (not particularly trained, but trying very hard...). Experiences,

even within districts, will vary according to what you need or fight

for in services. New Jersey is hard to assess because services and

school administrator's attitudes vary enormously from town to town.

I've heard Westfield is terrible for special ed...and that Scotch

Plains is great...

A story about New Jersey schools sharing in a $2.8M grant can be

accessed, along with others related to Autism in New Jersey at the

following: http://northjersey.com/autism/autism_page.html

Hope this is helpful!

>

> Can someone tell me how New Jersey is as far giving IEPs and services

> in school to Asperger's kids ? Also, how are Connecticut,

Massachusetts and Rhode Island ?

>

> Thanks !

>

> Kathi

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/15/2007 11:27:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

justin_kathi2001@... writes:

> Can someone tell me how New Jersey is as far giving IEPs and services

> in school to Asperger's kids ?

>

>

>

IMHO, NJ is terrible, at least my town (Clifton), we have had no luck even

getting the BOE to return calls, or admit that my AS son is anything but a very

bright discipline problem. You know things are bad when you leave a message

with the secretary of special services, and she asks you what a " functional

behavior assessment " is.

Barbara in Clifton, NJ

[Guest guest]

As for NJ it depends on the school district. I have good support on the

state level for assistance in providing me with services. Never had a

problem or question gone unanswered. We are using a state paid

psychiatrist that is outstanding. I got off the phone this afternoon

with my DS state case worker with concerns about the school districts

new " transistion(IEP) " middle school to high school state mandated

meeting. SHe told me not to attend without an advocate since they are

using new procedures and she doesn't like the sound of it.

So state support I'd say I'm pleased, school district .. so far so good

but.. do your homework.

in NJ

>

> Can someone tell me how New Jersey is as far giving IEPs and services

> in school to Asperger's kids ? Also, how are Connecticut,

Massachusetts

> and Rhode Island ?

>

> Thanks !

>

> Kathi

>

[Guest guest]

Rhode Island is fairly good overall...with some districts being better than

others. Pam

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[Guest guest]

Kathi,

Even with the recent news of NJ having the highest # of cases of

autism, I think NJ is doing a shabby job addressing this for the most

part. I think it does vary from town to town.

My 5 yo son in K was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (by 3 different doctors).

My BOE () didn't feel that a CST eval was warranted because

DS " is making adequate academic progress. " WTH? Now we're bouncing

back to the initial meeting stage again. My DS avoids the other kids

in the classroom like the plague. Also, he's aggressive on top of

that. He doesn't follow class rules. Hello? His progress report was

85% NI. Progress my foot!

Now they scheduled that meeting when I have class (Wednesday 3/21). I

called her 4 times and didn't get a call back until I blacked out on

the social worker in school. When he said I was irate on the

voicemail he left her, she called back in 30 seconds. I wonder why?

They are really cheesing me off! I heard Cranford/Westfield are

pretty crappy in terms of special ed. too!

But the good thing is that NJ offers extended school.

I suggest calling ASPEN and find out which communities are easier to

deal with.

HTH,

Angelina

>

> Can someone tell me how New Jersey is as far giving IEPs and services

> in school to Asperger's kids ? Also, how are Connecticut, Massachusetts

> and Rhode Island ?

>

> Thanks !

>

> Kathi

>

[Guest guest]

Kathi -

In New Jersey I have found it varies from district to district how

services are. My district is very good, compared to what i talk with

other parents from other districts.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/18/2008 4:59:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, ima1130@... writes:

In New Jersey I have found it varies from district to district how

services are. My district is very good, compared to what I talk with

other parents from other districts.

What district? I'm in Clifton and it really stinks, not just for AS but for all disabilities.

Barbara