Home › Forums › West Seattle Schools › Best Elementary school for son with autism?
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February 13, 2011 at 7:24 pm #597934
MarmiteParticipantJust wondering if any parent here could give me their 2 cents worth on the best schools in WS for special needs/autism. My son will be starting K this fall and I am touring schools right now. It seems that most schools have large class sizes with little support, specially with the new ICS model. His assigned school would be Gatewood, and I have liked what I have heard from some of the teachers there already. Does anyone have any info on Pathfinder, Sanislo, Arbor Heights, Alki also. Whether they have more adult support with a class size of approx 25? I went to Schmitz, and although I liked their program there with the music and gym lessons, the support in class was only 25:1.
Any info would be much appreciated.
February 13, 2011 at 9:27 pm #717367
hopeyParticipantIf you haven’t looked at Lafayette, you should. They have an Autism Inclusion Program with a dedicated teacher. Call the school and ask to speak with Miss Courtney.
February 13, 2011 at 9:48 pm #717368
addParticipantPathfinder K-8 also has a special ed/autism program including self-contained classrooms and an inclusion program. I recommend you visit the school and talk with the staff members. There is a tour on Wednesday 2/16 at 9am; more info is here: http://www.seattleschools.org/schools/pathfinder/prospective.html
February 13, 2011 at 9:49 pm #717369
luckymom30ParticipantRoxhill Elementary School offer Autism self-contained program. 252-9570
Autism Self-Contained: Primarily services students with moderate to severe autism, however,
supports students across a variety of disability categories. Supports focus on self-help,
communication, self-regulation, sensory, social and behavioral needs. Staffed at 8:1:2.
February 13, 2011 at 10:13 pm #717370
MarmiteParticipantMany thanks. I have contacted one of the resource room teachers at Lafayette, and am going on that very tour of Pathfinder this Wednesday. I am bit concerned that Pathfinder may not have enough structure for my son though.
Just to clarify – my son will be put in the General ed classroom as he is more high functioning, and my primary need for him is his social/emotional development and it is a school that can work well with this, (not just academics) that I am looking for.
February 13, 2011 at 11:32 pm #717371
yeah-meParticipantSchmitz Park also has an autism inclusion with dedicated teacher.
February 14, 2011 at 2:31 am #717372
addParticipant@Marmite – I’m curious as to why you think that Pathfinder will not offer enough structure? Both my kids (one who entered K as a special ed student) have thrived there and I have never felt that it was an “unstructured” environment (and I am definitely not a loosey-goosey type!). But – not sure exactly what you mean and I guess we all define “structure” differently. Best thing is to go on the tour, and then maybe come back another time for a visit so you can get a feel for the school on a regular day.
February 14, 2011 at 2:53 am #717373
MarmiteParticipant@add – I think I have read a few places from parent reviews how kids that need more structure may suit a more traditional curriculum. So I am just going off what I have heard that’s all.
I would certainly like to hear anything about Pathfinder. What do you like about it? What is the child to adult ratio (class size’s for K there?)
What I have heard that I feel would be great would be there focus not just on academics but on the social/emotional development of the child. Is that what you have seen happen there with your children?
February 14, 2011 at 7:01 am #717374
BonnieParticipantMy son goes to Pathfinder and he is in the autism inclusion program. I transferred him out of a self contained program from another school earlier this year. He’s in the 4th grade. I don’t know much about kindergarten and resources for kindergarteners because he went to Roxhill for their transition kindergarten years ago but we like the autism inclusion program. I looked at both Lafayette and Pathfiner (Schmitz Park did not have an opening) and I thought that Pathfinder would be the better fit. (I liked Lafayette just fine, just seemed a bit too strict for me and way too big of a school) Anyway, we’ve been happy with it so far.
February 14, 2011 at 10:16 am #717375
nighthawkParticipantNot sure that it’s on your radar due to the distance and that it would only be kindergarten but check out the EEU at UW. A friend’s daughter goes there and said it’s really wonderful.
February 14, 2011 at 4:34 pm #717376
BonnieParticipantI think the EEU has a long waitlist.
February 14, 2011 at 4:58 pm #717377
flowerpetalMemberIf your child can get into the EEU kindergarten he could be bussed from WS. There are other WS kids bussed to the EEU.
February 14, 2011 at 7:36 pm #717378
MarmiteParticipantI will look forward to checking out Pathfinder this week.
I have put my son’s name down for the EEU K program for September. It is a lottery system, so if his name gets picked he’s in. I hear it is a great program, with lots of support.
February 14, 2011 at 10:22 pm #717379
WS MomMemberHi Marmite – I am in a similar situation and would like to chat about this with you, as well, but in private, if you don’t mind. You can email me at bertababyjr@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
February 15, 2011 at 5:08 am #717380
addParticipant@Marmite – I think the current K class sizes are around 24 students. There is usually a LOT of regular parent volunteer help in the classroom but I can’t say for sure. My daughter is now in 7th grade so I’m a little removed from the little kids!
I have always loved the focus on the “whole child” and the respect that’s shown to all kids, as well as high expectations, by the teachers and staff. The school has an inclusive feel to me and my kids love(d) going to school there (my son is now in HS).
Enjoy the tour! Ask lots of questions!
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