I am new here and need advice, please.

[Guest guest]

Hello, we are thinking of moving to Avon Lake, Oh this summer due to

my husband being offered a job there. We are from Pittsburgh Pa. I

just wandered if you can tell me about your wraparound services for

your children, how your system works and who pays, maybe how much

therapy costs, schools in the area that have good services for a 4

year old pdd-nos little girl. Our decision is highly depending on

what they can offer us. I've been searching online, which is how I

came across this group, which I am VERY grateful for. I came across

the LEAPS program at Redwood elementary which looks terrific. Avon

Lake looks like a pleasant community and it seems fairly close to

Cleveland which may help being in a not so rural area where service

may not be as plentiful. Anything that you can tell me about Ohio's

services would be a huge help to me.

In Allegheny county where we are now medical assistance takes care of

all therapy and wraparound (tss and bsc) services (where a therapist

comes to your home and can go out in the community with the child,

the bsc helps with the childs plan (iep) and coordinates all

meetings) just in case they are called something different in your

state. In the almost 2 years since our daughter's diagnosis we have

not paid a penny. I do understand that ohio does not operate that

way. I have also heard that since ohio's therapist's are paid by the

clients they are VERY good and are certified in everything whereas

here the tss's may just be someone who decided they wanted a career

change and have little to no training, some are trained well but most

are not. Our daughter is high functioning, she speaks, makes eye

contact enjoys being around other kids just doesn't play directly

with them (except for her brother) and has some sensory integration

dysfunction issues just to give you a quick overview of what we are

looking for. Please help us to make this tough decision! Thank you

in advance for your input, it is grately appreciated.