Attn: Charlotte, NC...pls help with Autism

[michvin]

HI to all. My friend is currently looking into moving to Charlotte, NC from DE. Her youngest son has high functioning autism. He will be 3 this Nov, and has been in 4 day a week schooling and therapy with the state since May. Her other two children attend Catholic school. She is very, very, VERY happy with the intervention and services she is currently receiving from DE, BUT hubby's job may be removed, downsized or moved to Charlotte, NC. She would like to entertain the idea of a move, but has not been able to get any decent info about the programs available in Charlotte (thinking its summer break and all)...she has heard that the Macklenburg (sp?) school district is not that great but we have no concrete evidence. Just need some insight or contact numbers or something to get needed info to see if this move would work for the little guy's education. Any advice or information or suggestions would really, really, really, be appreciated. Thank you soooo much!

 

[magic kingdom park]

hello, I do not live in Charlotte, I live in Iredell County which is just to the north of Charlotte, I know that in Iredell County my son has been attending public school since he was 3, at that age they have a preschool for autistic children, then as they age up there are also autistic classrooms for each grade level, k-2nd grade 3-5 (which is where my son is and his teacher is wonderful), and then middle school, and high school. Iredell County meets Mecklenburg County and Charlotte, and it is not much of a drive from Mooresville which is about 15-20 minutes to downtown Charl. Charl. is a big city lots of traffic, back up toward Mooresville it is more urban setting, less traffic. There is also a Teach Center in Charlotte, they specialize in nothing but autism and testing and placement. I will try to find the number and post it if not maybe she could call information and ask. Hope this helps.

 

[dis-happy]

Have a dear friend whose son is autistic and she's been very pleased with the services in Mecklenburg County. She homeschools the older siblings, has a ton of patience, but really couldn't handle the youngest son and his special needs. The school situation for them has been great--special classes and therapy, lots of progress with great teachers. Where in CLT is your friend maybe moving to? If it's south Clt. she should look into living in RockHill SC (just over the border)---their programs are wonderful! Have a friend who's an RN and has been very, very happy with the resources there (autistic ds dx age 2, now age 4). HTH

 

[james'mommy]

I just moved to Charlotte from Delaware. And I'm sure it's for the same reason your friend may be moving- give me an M give me a B give me a N give me an A- what's that spell? Unemployment. DH and I sucked it up and moved south. We live in south Charlotte. It seems the schools in char-meck school district are hit or miss. Really seems to based on how afluent an area is. We based our housing decision on the schools. we bought an older home because our son will go to elizabeth lane elm school which is supposedly one of the best. My son will be going to public school in Charlotte where as he would have been attending Catholic schools in Delaware because of the pitiful quality of education in Delaware's public schools. I don't have any advice to give regarding special education services in this area but if your friend would like to talk to someone who recently moved here from Delaware I would be happy to help. If so PM me for my contact info.

 

[michvin]

Thank you for posting information...first hand knowledge is so much easier than calling cold turkey sometimes. I and she really appreciates it!