Hi Everyone,

My name is Tina and I am RyLee's Gramma...He is 2yrs. and 2mos. old...We are from Central New York State...Farm Country...RyLee is on 2 waiting lists to be evaluated for Autism...I work in special education for 15yrs before becoming physically disabled...I worked with Autistic clients...I see several signs or tendencies that have me concerned that he is Autistic...arm flapping, hands over his ears, non-verbal but using sign language for his basic needs( eat, more, drink ), he shakes his head back and forth, spins in circles, looks up at the sky when he is outside playing, running and looking up at the sky instead of where he is running to...We live in a rural area...So the evaluation centers are 75 miles away and have waiting lists up to 1yr. He was evaluated by the county Public Health and is going to get early intervention for speech and have a teacher coming to my daughter's house starting in July. I am hoping to meet people here that have been through this and share their experience with me. I look forward to meeting other parents and grandparents here.

In my opinion NY state is wonderful for children who are in need of services. We too had our child evaluated through the county Eary Intervention and had services in our home until my son turned 3. After that point children are turned over to the public school system where, depending on what school district you are in, you child can attend a preschool in a intergrated classroom. Transportation provided. (I know of a family that has their child attend a preschool 45 minutes away and a van transports him.)We researched a lot of elementary schools and most districts have intergrated classrooms and/ or a one on one aide provided for your child if that level is needed.Their are also many FEAT support groups.(Families for the Effective Autism Treatment) Feat of CNY and FEAT of Watertown. They can assist you on receiving finiancial aid for items that would help your grandson. Anything from platform swings and other OT equipment, YMCA membership for the family, educational tools and respite care.
This site is a wonderful resource and posters are very willing to help.
Good luck with your grandson! He is lucky to have a grandmother so willing to get involved "It takes a village to raise a child.":D

Thank you for the info...We'll do whatever it takes...Thanks again for sharing that with me.