Autism Schools in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chesco Offers Education Options for Autistic Children in PA
Oct 3, 2009
Finding the right school placement for a child on the autism spectrum can be very challenging for parents. There are many factors that need to be taken into account, including but not limited to, the severity of the child's challenges, whether or not the child has a combination of disorders beyond the ASD diagnosis, age, education level and costs when looking at options outside of public schools.
In Chester County, Pennsylvania, one of the best first stop resources for families moving into the area or facing a new diagnosis is the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU). A call to the CCIU Educational Service Center at 484-237-5000 can help to get things started with a new evaluation, or referrals to other services in the area. The CCIU itself also runs several programs that are ideal for children on the spectrum including the TEACH program at the Child and Career Development Center (CDC) in Coatesville, PA. TEACH is a 'partial hospitalization' program, which means that mental health services are folded up into the program. TEACH focuses on giving kids with behavioral problems, including spectrum kids, tools for emotional self-control, and integrates management of sensory processing disorders into the day-to-day experience. Alongside these techniques, academics are also maintained with the long-term goal to return the child to a mainstream setting with support services within the home school district. CDC also has an autism support program and an autism early intervention program. If parents suspect the possibility of a spectrum disorder, the early intervention program can help to target a diganosis and recommend resources and possible placements.
Another first stop resource is the Special Education coordinator for the school district to set up a review of any existing Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or to begin the process of evaluation and placement. Most school districts in Chester County have some form of autism support in mainstream schools, be it a full-time autism classroom or a part-day mainstream, part-day autism support classroom program and options for placement in an appropriate, approved private school that provides the necessary services, paid through the home school district.
Below, several schools that focus on the needs of children on the autism spectrum are highlighted, including intensive, integrated programs as well as schools with programs with learning difference support that may be all that some High Functioning Autistic and Asperger's children may need.
Integrated Academics and Intensive Services
The Vanguard School - Offers integrated academics and intensive services for children on the autism spectrum.
The Devereux Day School - Offers integrated academics and intensive services for children on the autism spectrum.
Learning Difference Support
The Delaware Valley Friends School - Offers instructional support for ADHD and learning disabilities.
The Crossroads School - Offers academic instruction for children with language-based learning difficulties using a multisensory approach.
The Phelps School - This boys' school offers an Academic Support Program for students with learning differences.
The Woodlynde School - Offers academic instruction with a multisensory approach and sensitivity to learning differences. Middle and Upper School classes are assigned a learning specialist for each class and a full-time reading counselor is also available.
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