Family First Preparatory Academy Closes after just 3 Weeks. Special Needs Parents Scramble

West Side private school closes after a month - News - The Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Christopher Vance was surprised when his wife asked him to pick up his son from school on Tuesday.

Family First Preparatory Academy, on Charleston's West Side, closed its doors Tuesday after a month of classes, with no warning to parents. Thirty families were left scrambling to find their children another place to go to school.

Vance, whose 6-year-old autistic son also is named Christopher, said the boy was doing well at the "character-based" school, where a staff of five teachers could provide more personalized attention.

"I don't know what to do," said Vance, standing with his son outside the school, located in the Rehoboth Cathedral on Main Street. "I'm back at square one.

"I feel more for the kids than the teachers," Vance said. "The kids were just beginning to bond with their teachers. I can't put him back in public school like I did last year and have to fight with them day after day."

More http://wvgazette.com/News/201109134327

60 Essential Twitter Feeds for Following Autism Education | Online Colleges

60 Essential Twitter Feeds for Following Autism Education | Online Colleges

Autism has received a lot of national media attention in recent years, largely because the number of children diagnosed has risen sharply. Whether this is due to better diagnostic testing or some yet undiscovered genetic or environmental factor is still to be determined. Either way, its increased prevalence has made it necessary for educators and parents alike to work hard and learn more about autism, from spotting the early signs to the best ways autistic children can learn and thrive. Keeping up with the latest news and information can be a full time job, but social media may prove one fairly effortless way to do so.

We’ve collected 60 Twitter feeds here that will help you to keep up with all the latest news on autism, from charities working to help diagnosed individuals to new discoveries by scientists and researchers — even some support and inspiration from parents raising afflicted children. No matter what drives your interest in autism, you’re bound to find some tweets among these feeds that will help you better understand and work with those who have the condition.

These feeds will ensure you always know the latest in autism research and news.

1. @theautismnews: This feed is a great follow if you want easy access to a wide range of news articles on autism and autism spectrum disorders.
2. @autism_research: Check out this Twitter feed to find a great collection of articles that may be of interest to parents and professionals in the autism field.
3. @autismbulletin: Make sure you stay in the loop when it comes to autism news by reading this regularly updated feed.
4. @TheCoffeeKlatch: Geared towards parents, this feed is an excellent resource for practical articles on living with autism and the latest research being done.
5. @asteens: Find some great posts about autism news and more, specifically dealing with the disorder’s impact on teens, through this organization’s feed.
6. @autismtalk: Host of Autism Talk Radio, Steven Prussack, keeps this feed loaded with links to his show’s latest recordings.
7. @anne_barbano: Anne Barbano hosts a radio show that focuses on autism and other disabilities. Check out her latest topics of discussion here.
8. @thinkingautism: Here you’ll find links to some amazingly informative essays written by parents, professionals and those with autism.

MORE HERE. Click to see #9 - #60 @ OnlineColleges.Net

Pathfinder Academy in Jacksonville - Summer Program

Autism school holds summer program to prep students | todaysthv.com

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) -- Pathfinder Inc. in Jacksonville has opened a middle school for children with autism. The school year begins on Aug. 15 and the organization is holding a summer program to prepare the students for the school year.

"It's exciting. Exciting for me because when he was in public school I would never go have lunch with him because he would cry when I left."

Lisa Bamburg's son, Joel, is one of eight students enrolled in the new Pathfinder Academy in Jacksonville. Joel and his classmates have autism. He's working on a basic skill, brushing his teeth, when we visit his classroom.

Director Tim Thomas says they are ready for the academy's first official year to begin.

The Good Shepherd Catholic School at Mercy (Autism School)

Mercy Health Center to open school for autistic children in Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com

Children with autism and patients who need rehabilitation will find help in a new multimillion-dollar Mercy Health Center school and hospital.

This is an artist's drawing of the 50-bed Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital, at Memorial Road and MacArthur Boulevard. Construction is expected to begin Aug. 16 and be complete the fall of 2012.

The state's first school for autistic children, The Good Shepherd Catholic School at Mercy, initially will provide special services for 20 children when it opens Aug. 22 on the hospital campus.

Read more: http://newsok.com/mercy-health-center-to-open-school-for-autistic-children-in-oklahoma-city/article/3586759#ixzz1SeRs0t8X

Struggle to find autism schools in the UK

BBC News - 'Struggle' to find autism schools

Almost half of parents of children with autism are having to wait more than a year to get their children into the right school, a survey carried out by the National Autistic Society has found.

Giant Steps Autism School Forges Relationship With Darien Lions Club - Lisle, IL Patch

Giant Steps Autism School Forges Relationship With Darien Lions Club - Lisle, IL Patch

From Darien Patch: The Lions Club’s motto is “We serve.” So when Darien Lion Steve Hiatt got the call that Giant Steps school in Lisle needed a hand with its auction in February, it was a no brainer.

A group from the club manned the coatroom, collecting over the course of the evening about $750 in tips, said Giant Steps special event planner Jeni Fulton. They donated the tips, of course, to Giant Steps.

What started with one tip jar at one event has blossomed into a rewarding relationship between the Darien Lions Club and Giant Steps.

With the Lions help at events such as the auction, pancake breakfasts and a recent school picnic, Giant Steps’ staff is able to spend more time interacting with parents and students, said Executive Director Bridget O’Connor.

More at http://lisle.patch.com/articles/giant-steps-autism-school-forges-relationship-with-darien-lions-club

Princeton Family Affected by Autism Thrives at Eden Institute, Special Olympics - Princeton, NJ Patch

Princeton Family Affected by Autism Thrives at Eden Institute, Special Olympics - Princeton, NJ Patch

Eden Institute, located in Plainsboro, provides year round educational services for people with autism between the ages of 3-21.