Autism Society of America Treasure Valley Chapter discussion forum.
Public school
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I plan to relocate to Boise and have children (age 6 and 5) with autism. Does anyone have recommendation for public schools that have good autism service/support? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
My wife is completing her residency in emergency medicine this year, and we are looking to relocate to a friendlier resource environment for our 3 year old autistic son. We currently live in Ohio and are supporting our own home based ABA style program and utilizing the public school district's general special education preschool (12 hours/week during the school year) We have been negotiating an IEP for about 3 months now, but the school is really unwilling to give anymore than the bare minimum. We had been looking to move to the Northwest, and I have heard some very good things about the general climate for resources in Idaho. A Washington ASO contact said that all autistic children in Idaho can receive 30 hours/week of ABA. Is this accurate? I've run into a lot of rumors that just don't pan out. If so, what is the availability like for ABA. I had been pushing to look at Idaho as a possiblity for relocation, but we hadn't heard good things about autism resources until now. Can anyone out there give me a general feel about things in Idaho.
Learning Tools for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Finding structure in the world of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging. Every child gains stability from knowing what comes next in his or her day–especially children with an ASD or other special needs. Because children crave structure in a world that doesn’t always make sense, we created a planner to help. This planner focuses on the daily, weekly, and monthly structure of planning. There are activities in the back of the planner that focus on emotion recognition, social situations, motor skills, and much more! It is a great tool that has changed lives! I have seen it and am a firm believer in it!!!!!
Our public school has purchased an ABA program from Oregon. I think that my younger son might be being described as it's first success story. Don't believe it. We have had nothing but trouble since this program began.
A Workshop on Autism and Inclusion coming to Idaho
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A WORKSHOP ON AUTISM, INCLUSION & LIFE
LOOKING AT WHAT'S POSSIBLE, EVEN WITHOUT A "CURE", AND HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE IT.
Ladybird Crossing, LLC is proud to bring this conference on autism and inclusion to Idaho
Find more information at www.ladybirdcrossing.com
"Alex's Gift: A Way to Belong"
A Workshop on Inclusion for People with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
A two-day workshop on autism and inclusion for educators, service providers, and parents
Presenting useful, practical strategies and methods that allow persons with diverse abilities to function successfully in inclusive general education classrooms and in adult community life.
Rexburg March 7, 8
Twin Falls April 4, 5
Boise April 18, 19
For locations and more information visit us at www.ladybirdcrossing.com
Based on perspectives gleaned through the educational and life experiences of Alex, a young man with moderately severe autism, this workshop shares the vision, strategies, and techniques that make true belonging and inclusion possible for children and adults with autism and other significant disabilities. Participants will gain insights into the HOW of inclusion, learning useful, practical, "take-home and use tomorrow" strategies and methods that allow persons with diverse abilities to function successfully in inclusive general education classrooms from first grade through high school and in adult community life.
As part of this workshop Alex presents, in his own unique way,
his life as an adult in the community.
Join us as we share the story of a journey, of a mountain climbed,
of a victory won, of an unlikely hero,
the story of a young man, his life, his friends and his gift.
Learn as he teaches us how to enable people with disabilities
Re: A Workshop on Autism and Inclusion coming to Idaho
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If you have not heard Cheryl Fisher speak don't miss this. Cheryl is a dynamic woman and a has a positive story to share. She is a former Executive Director of IPUL and one great mom. Welcome back to Idaho Cheryl! We have missed you.
Hi, I have a 14 year old son with Asperger's. I am desperate for information here in Meridian/Boise. We moved here a year ago in August from Mtn Home, which had no services what so ever. I am beyond frustrated trying to home school him myself through the Idaho Virtual Academy. It was never my aspiration to be a teacher for one thing and i also think i am doing my son an injustice by keeping him so isolated. He does not mind it, he is at home all the time and doesn't have to face school bullys. I on the other hand am so wiped out and need that break from him. I don't enjoy teaching, he ends up getting mad and yell's at me and i find myself just getting more and more depressed by this situation. I would like to know if there is anything out there for my situation? Is there a tutor program? He has a katie beckett, so we have medicaid for him. We currently have no services what so ever for him. I am clueless on what to do or where to get the services. I don't even have a pediatritian for my son. I am basically starting at square one. I have heard of Dr. Whitney, but hear he is almost impossible to get into. Anyone with some advice.......i am all ears. I want to maybe get something by the start of the school year, i don't think i can do the idaho virtual academy thing all alone for one more year.........it is wearing me out. Thanks a ton for anyone with advice. ~Kim
I have heard good things about A New Leaf, they are off of Eagle Rd. by Fairview. They provide service coordination, and I belive they do schooling too. They offer quite a few different service. They are newer in the area, but I have been hearing good things. Also Community Properties of Idaho has been a good resource for us.
Hi...We use Access Behavioral Health Services and they are wonderful. They offer it all from counseling services, developmental therapy and service coordination. Amy.
I see on the HALO website that there are others in Idaho using the RPM method or are members of that site. Is there anyone else on this forum using this method to teach their children with autism? RPM has changed our lives and I would love to chat with anyone interested in the methodology. Our family has traveled to Texas twice to see Soma at the clinic in Austin. My daughter is non verbal, but has learned to type independently. Angie
My daughter Charlotte is 17 years old. She is non verbal but types on her own now. This has been a long process. She has used ABA, PECS, The Reading and Writing Program and so many other programs throughout the years. We have had both good and bad school years but her life is so great right now. She finally has her own voice! I don't know if this group meets any longer. Call the message # for more information. I haven't atteded a meeting for a few years now. At one time the support group was active and met at St. Lukes hospital monthly. You can log on to HALO-Soma.org to find out more about RPM. When something works for your child, you want to share it. Are your kids in the Boise school district? I was trying to find others who use RPM in Idaho. Angie
My nine-year-old son was recently diagnosed with HF autism. Meanwhile, we are in the process of seriously considering a move from AZ to the Boise area. I'm looking for information about schools, programs, opinions about the help that is available in the Treasure Valley area, etc. We've homeschooled first through 4th -- our kindergarten experience was horrible here. I'll certainly consider putting my son in school, though I'd like it to be a slower transition -- he will have a lot to adjust to with just the move and I'm worried that changing his school setting at the same time will be too much.
Are schools in the area known to be cooperative with homeschoolers (as in, providing resources even when the child is not fully enrolled?)
For kids in the school system, do you find that teachers and students are mostly good with your kids, or does a lot of bullying take place, etc?
Any opinions, referrals, suggestions would be appreciated. I have a lot to understand and take in and many important decisions to make since the diagnosis and want to be as informed as possible.
Re: Son newly diagnosed HFA, considering move to ID
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In Idaho we have dual enrollment. You can send your son to school for 1/2 the day or just a class or two and still homeschool him. I think all you have to do is fill out a dual enrollment form. My kids go to valley view elementary in the Boise school district and we really like the teachers and staff. They have been wonderful with my son who is 11 and has mild Aspergers. At our school they have a zero tolerance for bullying. If it happens, they don't ignore it, they address it. They have a special needs classroom and services too. You could easily make a transition slowly for him here in my opinion. Especially with dual enrollment. Also in the Boise school district they have open enrollment which means you can send your son to any school in the district. You just have to get him there and back. That is what I do but I only travel 2 miles round trip. There are also a lot of Developmental Disibilities agencies here if your son needs certain therapies. I hope this helps.
I have had problems with my son escaping at home. He can figure out any lock I have placed on my front door. He recently got my keys and tried to figure out which key opened the top deadbolt on our front door. I have an alarm, 2 deadbolts, a locking door knob and a deadbolt that locks with a key from inside. But we have 4 other children and their friends that come over and forget to lock the door. I was desperate to find a solutionas I mentioned in my other posting a few days ago. Within a week my son was escaping about 8 times. He would get out when I wasn't looking and going to my surrounding neighbors homes to find computers and swimming pools. Mostly computers. They all knew who he is so they either brought him back or came to get me. So an older man from my church offered to search on the internet and other places for a lock. After 3 days he found a lock that is a double sided keyless lock. On both sides of the door there is the keyless entry. You have to type in your code on the pad to get out of your house and the same to get in your house and best of all it automatically locks when the door is shut. No more asking a family member or visitor if they locked the door. This is a great lock for a person with Autism or Alzheimers. You can change the code to 8,000 different codes. I don't see how anybody could figure out how to escape unless you showed them the code. Its too complex for my son. I can sleep easier at night knowing he can't get out my front door by himself. This is a lock used for swimming pool gates primarily. If you know someone that has a family member with Autism that escapes tell them about this lock. Its called a Lockey 2230DC keyless Double sided automatically locking lock.
Go to www.aaaindustrialsupply.com contact renee.smurr@aaaindustrialsupply.com I bought from them and they beat a competitor out on price. Its around $200 or less but its worth it. you can buy it with a key override too.
My son is a genius at escaping from our house. I need help!!!I have installed deadbolt locks on the top of my front door. I have an alarm on it too. I have 4 other children in the home who also have many friends coming in and out of our house. We have all tried to keep him safe but its getting harder to do that. He has been escaping and getting into our neighbors homes looking for computers and swimming pools. In the past week he has escaped 6 times. What does everyone else use to combat a escapee? special locks that I can't get at Lowes or Home depot? He is only 5 but figures out how to escape. Anyone have any suggestions?
