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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]One big piece of advice: don’t rush to buy right away. Even in areas with strong reputations, a school's effectiveness—especially for neurodiverse learners—can vary widely depending on the specific staff and special education (SPED) team in place that year. Things can change quickly with turnover, leadership shifts, or budget impacts. Renting gives you flexibility if the school doesn't end up being the right fit for your child, and it also gives you time to really get a feel for the community.

Also, as soon as you know your base school, reach out to them. Whether your DS currently has a 504 or an IEP—or you're not sure what’s appropriate—you'll want to check eligibility and possibly update or start the process. Each district handles ASD-1 a bit differently when it comes to accommodations and services, so initiating contact early is helpful.
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Can you describe/give examples of what you mean when you say each district handles ASD-1 differently?[/quote]

PP:

I don’t have a child with ASD—my experience is more anecdotal since my child has a different diagnosis—but I’ve noticed that some districts seem to take very different approaches. For example:

Eligibility criteria: Some schools may require a full medical diagnosis before initiating services, while others might evaluate and qualify a student under educational criteria for autism without needing a formal outside diagnosis.
Types of support offered: One district might offer a dedicated autism support classroom or social skills programs, while another might provide only minimal in-class accommodations.
IEP vs. 504 Plans: Some schools lean more heavily on IEPs for ASD students, while others may initially suggest a 504 Plan unless the child has significant academic needs.
Staff training and understanding: In some districts, teachers and aides have more specialized training in ASD and behavior supports, whereas in others, it can be more generalized or inconsistent.
Parental involvement: Some districts actively collaborate with parents as part of the planning team, while others can be more rigid or procedural.[/quote]

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