I am not a professional in the area but there is no way I could see a traditional program helping a child with autism or aspergers. These children need specialized treatment and BMod designed specifically for their conditions. Many are very fragile and frightened to begin with (socially) that without the proper training the program could crush them.
From what I know local services have been very successful with autistic children if they are diagnosed early enough. I am curious to know how and how many of these children are placed. Does Hyde advertise for autistic children?
I agree with "there is no way I could see a traditional program helping a child with autism or aspergers." Programs would need to hire or contract with medical professionals who specialize in treating aspergers. This would increase tuition rates which many parents could not afford.
Oddly enough, at least one Hyde parent -- known only as "Mystery Guest" in this radio program -- appears to think Hyde helps with her son's developmental and/or behavioral issues, presumably related to ASD. It is actually unclear to me exactly what he has; perhaps I need to hear it through again. Although this is a show about
autism, the mother mentions "gifted," bipolar," and depression." She also expresses some frustration with the verity of these diagnoses; it could be that she suspects Aspergers judging by other statements she makes. At any rate, she's done a real bang-up job promoting the old hellhole.
Interestingly enough, it sounds like she'll be able to get the local PS system to pay for part of this kid's Hyde School "education." This is unlike another not dissimilar case mentioned elsewhere on this forum from a few years ago. I suspect degree of cooperation with the local school system
prior to the Hyde adventure impacts how these efforts go.
Worthy of note in all this, of course, is that
the jury's still out on how this ultimately turns out. The kid was still at Hyde when this clip aired; this may even have been his first year, from the sound of it. I'd sure like to hear how this kid
himself feels about his "preparation for life" ... once he's been out for ten years or so.
:clown:
Click on "Show 47" to hear mp3. Mystery guest makes her appearance a little past ~25% (a lot of commercials in the very beginning). Color emphasis as per original:
-------------- • -------------- • -------------- • --------------
TAO Emergency Management ConsultingShow 47 · 3-20-09 ·
AutismNotes from the Hot ZoneGet ReadyProtective 72 Hour Survival KitMYSTERY GUEST ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND SCHOOLSSomething GoodPathfinder Profiles- Elayne PearsonWhat's Up Doc©2007 TAO Emergency Management Consulting