Guest guest Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 Thank you, Tique!************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 I actually visited this school and was very impressed with the individual attention that is given to all students. Small class sizes are WONDERFUL. This is an option for higher functioning children as the teachers are not formally trained in any methods specifically. They do have a few autistic kids who are higher functioning attending school there. My suggestion is to tour the facility, I was very impressed. It is also on the Autism Scholarship Program. Tique Oeflein From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of caitlinsds@... Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 11:52 PM Subject: [ ] Billiart School I was just wondering if anyone has any direct or indirect knowledge about this school? Obviously, I am interested in knowing how well they serve the needs of autistic children. In other words, are their teachers trained in methods that are known to be effective with autistic children and do they incorporate social skills training throughout the school day? Just wondering if anybody knows anything about the school. Any info. would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Margie ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 Hello - I have heard that Billiard is really not a school for children with autism, they have very low functioning children with autism in their school but do not really specialize in autism! Tracey!!!linsds@... wrote: I was just wondering if anyone has any direct or indirect knowledge about this school? Obviously, I am interested in knowing how well they serve the needs of autistic children. In other words, are their teachers trained in methods that are known to be effective with autistic children and do they incorporate social skills training throughout the school day? Just wondering if anybody knows anything about the school. Any info. would be greatly appreciated!Thank you!Margie**************************************Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 Hello - I have heard that Billiard is really not a school for children with autism, they have very low functioning children with autism in their school but do not really specialize in autism! Tracey!!!linsds@... wrote: I was just wondering if anyone has any direct or indirect knowledge about this school? Obviously, I am interested in knowing how well they serve the needs of autistic children. In other words, are their teachers trained in methods that are known to be effective with autistic children and do they incorporate social skills training throughout the school day? Just wondering if anybody knows anything about the school. Any info. would be greatly appreciated!Thank you!Margie**************************************Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 Hi Beth, An old posting of mine came up with this question. It was from last March, just prior to Noah's evaluation at Billiart. Before the 10 minute session took place, my daughter was told by the Principal, that her son would likely be a good fit. Immediately after the testing, they indicated that he did well, so she was encouraged. Next, she was called and told that " they just can't work with him " ...This was after the Principal took him by the hand and introduced him to the secretary, having him spell words for her and commenting how smart he is! When Deb questioned this, she said, " well I don't remember, there are so many children that I see...but the evaluators said that he cried " ...Oh, gee, ya think it could have been because he was dragged out of school and brought to this strange place? We were really happy with his placement at the Achievment Center, but were concerned that there weren't any openings for the K-2 for this fall... His school district could not meet his needs, which is why they sent him to the AC to begin with, so if there was not going to be a spot for him, we needed an alternative. Deb continued to explore schools. Meantime, about 2 months later, they called and wanted to see him again. I took off work to take him. There were 3 other students there, one whose mom was also previously told that her son was not accepted. Apparently, they were going to take 2 of the 4. I asked the Therapist how he did when she returned him to me, and she said " good " . Another month, and after unreturned phone calls, we still were in limbo. Deb finally reached the Pricpipal at 9:00 in the evening. They had dragged their feet long enough and we needed an answer. She apologized and said that it was a tough decision, but he was not accepted. How " tough " is it to pick up a phone or mail a letter so that people can get on with their lives???? Deb was polite, but direct with her. She was more upset that they took so much of our time after leading us to believe he was going to be accepted. Plus, she really wanted Noah in a Catholic school, like her other children. In all fairness to the Principal who was basically the messenger, she said that the teachers there are not fully qualified to work with autistic children. She said that they have taken some seminars and a few classes, but not nearly enough to meet the needs of the majority of kids with autism. She also said that she believed that some parents were seeking a dx of autism, just to get their children into JB (personally, I'm not so sure of this, but hey...who knows?). They have Speech Therapy, but at this time, no OT. Basically, if you have a spectrum kid who is functioning on more of an ADD or LD level...even aspergers, he will likely do well there. Noah is very high functioning...he's probably about 75% recovered at this point. Cognitively, he's very close to level. He plays t-ball, swims, plays soccer and even learned to ride a two wheeler. But when he was tested, they didn't see what they were looking for. " He cried " ...therefore, they couldn't work with him. Noah does have some difficulty with transitions...he is still on the autism spectrum! They apparently felt that this behavior would interfere with their teaching approach.. and maybe it would. Sister Agnes asked Deb if she could keep Noah's name on file to be considered for next year. She told her that she could, as she did not want any hard feelings. She really is a good person and I understand her position. I still think that it is a good school if your child qualifies for the program. I also think that in time, they will be ready to fit the needs of more children with autim. This school was not originally designed to teach children other than those with learning disabilities. As for Noah, I prayed that the best placement for him would come up. God always answers my prayers in ways that I least expect... The Achievement Center opened up more classes in Westlake, allowing space for Noah in the program that has already been meeting and exceeding his needs. He will be in the K-2 class at the AC in Highland Hills...and get this...our own Egerpatt will be his student teacher!!! How cool is that???? To be honest, we were very upset with the way JB handled Noah's case, but for him, it worked out for the best. I still like JB and I am not in any way trying to discourage anyone from looking into it. A therapist with whom I work, has a son who goes there...and she pays full tuition. He is not autistic, but has multiple learning and other disabilities. He is absolutely thriving there! I believe that the increase in autism will lead the staff at JB to address the needs of this population. There are children there now, with this dx, and apparently doing well. By disclosing our little scenerio and telling you of our experience with JB, I only want to paint a clearer picture for you. If your son is accepted, chances are, he will do well. I loved the kindergarten class that we observed, and Deb and I honestly thought that Noah would benefit from this program. It didn't work out for him, but that doesn't mean that it won't work out for you. I do want you to know what happened here, so that if you are faced with a similar situation, you won't take it personally, as we did at first. God knows that as parents and grandparents of kids with autism, we are often emotionally beat up. What we took as " your child isn't good enough for our school " in reality meant that they felt that they simply couldn't meet his needs with the excellence that they expect from themselves. I believe the criteria will change with time. Meanwhile, Noah is excelling at the Achievement Center where he will remain until he is ready to join his peers in first grade. My best to you as you explore educational opportunities for your son. It's a very difficult and often stressful process. I am confident that whatever you decide, it will be in your son's best interest, and he will do very well!!!! Take Care, -Trish BTW, have you looked into the Achievement Centers? http://www.achievementcenters.org/ Talk to Gossett... tell him Trish (Noah's Mimi) recommended you. Noah is at the Highland Hills campus. --- In , " starfish1995 " <starfish1995@...> wrote: > > Hello, It is me agian. I appreciate all the replies both here and > privately about schools and distircts in NE Ohio. Two moms recommended > that I check out the Billiart School for my son. Does anyone > have any first hand expereince with this school? ALso, any other > feedback (not necessarily first hand expereince) woudl be very much > appreciated. > > Thank you, > > Beth > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Thanks. However, I went to their website however and found this statement in their FAQ: " Do you accept students with Autism? Lawrence does not accept students for whom the lead diagnosis is Autism. " So much for our kids! Beth > > The Lawrence School may be a good alternative. I have heard great things. Good luck to you. > > > > Tique Oeflein > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of starfish1995 > Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 1:47 PM > > Subject: [ ] Re: Billiart School > > > > Hi, > > I think we are going to apply for our son to attend Billiart > school, but in case he is denied for whatever reason (probably poor > auditory processing), what would be the next best private alternative > for a child who is on the spectrum - who functions somewhere between > moderate and high functioning? He is 9 years old and is at 3rd grade > for math and 2nd grade for reading. > > Thanks, > > Beth > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 My daughter does not go there but my husband graduated from there. I know he liked the school alot better than public school and his parents thought the school was great. If you have any specific questions, I can ask him for you. Joleen From: logans_mommy_and_daddy <tarasantilli@...>Subject: [ ] Billiart School Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009, 2:56 PM Hello, I was wondering if anyone with a child that attends or has attended St. Billiart school in Lyndhurst would be willing to share their experiences with me on or off list. My direct email address is tarasantilli @ gmail . com (remove spaces).My son has HFA/PDD-NOS and is in the 1st Grade. We have been with our local school district since he's been 3.Thanks so much in advance!Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I have never heard of Billiart School, but I recently learned of this school: http://www.re-edserv.com/ The schools are located in Mentor and and service Northern Ohio counties. They have preschool through grade 12 and it is for kids with Autism. My son attended pre-school last year through the local school district, but now that we have a diagnosis of PDD, I am trying to get into this school.. you have to work with your local school district, as they would be the ones paying the tuition. As far as I know, it is not an ASP provider. Tara --- In , " logans_mommy_and_daddy " <tarasantilli@...> wrote: > > Hello, I was wondering if anyone with a child that attends or has attended St. Billiart school in Lyndhurst would be willing to share their experiences with me on or off list. My direct email address is tarasantilli @ gmail . com (remove spaces). > > My son has HFA/PDD-NOS and is in the 1st Grade. We have been with our local school district since he's been 3. > > Thanks so much in advance! > Tara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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