Finding the right school for a child with autism can be a daunting task, especially for parents in Dallas.
Fortunately, several autism schools in Dallas provide specialized programs and services to support children with autism.
What is autism?
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a condition that is characterized by challenges with social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation.
In the United States, it affects an estimated 1 in 54 individuals, with signs usually appearing by age 2 or 3. Early intervention is important and can include applied behavior analysis programs.
If a child exhibits any of the behaviors listed below, parents may consider consulting their pediatrician for a screening:
- Challenges with communication, such as limited or no language, difficulty initiating conversations, or a lack of interest in make-believe play.
- Issues with social interaction, such as poor eye contact, not responding to their name, and displaying repetitive or obsessive behaviors.
- Additionally, they may exhibit repetitive speech or body movements, such as hand flapping or jumping in place.
Although raising a child with autism can be difficult due to communication barriers, tantrums, and meltdowns, parents play a vital role in their child’s treatment.
Autism schools offer programs and services to support children with autism. Families seeking education and support for their children with autism in Dallas may find these schools to be valuable resources in meeting their unique needs.
A wide variety of programs offered by Autism schools in Dallas incorporates the following:
- ABA Therapy
- Therapeutic Interventions (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy)
- Social Skills Development
- Specialized Academic Instruction
- Extracurricular Activities
These have aided many families in navigating through these challenges and staying on course.
What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that focuses on developing communication skills, and improving attention, social skills, executive functioning skills, and memory while reducing disruptive or challenging behavior through the teaching of appropriate replacement behaviors.
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy aims to address various disorders such as oral motor structures, feeding, social pragmatic language, articulation, receptive and expressive language, and auditory processing disorders.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational Therapy focuses on several aspects such as sensory integration, self-regulation techniques, activities of Daily Living training, neuromuscular rehabilitation, social skills, adaptive equipment training, therapeutic exercises, and developmental milestones.
The List of Autism Schools in Dallas
Let’s have a look at Top Autism Schools in Dallas and what they offer:
The HELM ABA
The Helm ABA offers ABA Therapy for Children with Autism to Improve behavior, Increase communication, and Enhance the quality of life.
Program Offers:
- Individualized Therapy Approach
- Dedicated and Highly-Qualified Therapists
- Weekly Parent Training
- Open Door Policy
- Meaningful Progress for the Whole Family
The Helm ABA was founded to empower families and schools through the use of cutting-edge therapy rooted in principles to improve safety, independence, and quality of life for individuals and families with developmental disabilities. Visit the website.
Chase’s Place
Chase’s Place is a Dallas-area Private non-profit school, serving students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and neurological disorders.
They offer Adolescent Programs, Adult Programs, Individualized Programs, and Holistic Skills with several state-of-the-art classrooms and therapy rooms available for the specific needs a child may have.
Devoted staff at Chase’s Place are specifically educated to teach children who experience challenges completing everyday tasks and developing basic knowledge. Visit the website.
Waterfall Academy
Waterfall Academy is a school for children with learning differences, notably for those on the autism spectrum. They deliver functional education, customized to the brilliance of each child while supporting families.
Programs offer specifically a need for smaller learning environments, customized learning plans, and functional life education, and this cover :
- Affordable tuition
- Customized curriculum for each student based on their strength
- Instruction is led by certified teachers.
- Musicians and instruments
- Access to therapists
- Non-traditional holistic approach.
- Max 6 student classes to ensure customized growth.
- Autism parent-led
Teach Me Academy
Teach Me Academy was created for families who value the rigor of private education and individualized instruction designed specifically for their child with autism.
With Teachers, certified in Autism Intervention, academic plans are customized to each child by selecting from a variety of curriculums that best match their needs.
Program features:
- Cooperative and Group Learning
- Self Paced Academics
- Positive Behavioral Support
- ABA Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
Teach Me Academy offers an academic-focused program and in addition, effectively coordinates with therapists to generalize skills to the classroom. Visit the website.
Autism Treatment Center
Autism Treatment Center (ATC) in Dallas, is a private, nonprofit, corporation established in 1976, providing services including residential, educational, therapeutic, and adult programs for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The mission of the Autism Treatment Center is to assist people with autism and related disorders throughout their lives as they learn, play, work, and live in the community.
Services:
- Education
- Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Residential Services
- Adult Services
- Screenings and Diagnosis
- Community Resources
ATC has a long history of parents advocating for their children and helping to shape its growth. Each program developed addresses a specific need for the children and adults needing these services.
Visit the website.
Emma’s Education Center
Emma’s Education Center is a licensed Individual Skills & Socialization Center. They offer educational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Aside from providing onsite and offsite services, the program teaches each individual how to provide and take care of themselves in a living environment.
Services offered Include:
- Social integration
- Basic education skills on the individual’s level
- Trips and free meals
- Extracurricular Saturdays (optional) and Camp events
Students are taught the basic fundamental skills of reading, writing, math, and practical education such as telling time and knowing safety guidelines. Visit the website.
Behavior Frontiers
Behavior Frontiers is a leading provider of Autism ABA Treatment. Behavior Frontiers offers solutions to help individuals with autism and other special needs reach their potential using state-of-the-art applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment programs.
Services Offered :
- Diagnostic Services
- ABA with Telehealth Services
- ABA Online Training
- Infant Development & Early Intervention
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Treatment
Visit the website.
The Rise School of Dallas
The Ashford Rise School of Dallas provides high-quality early education services to children ages six months to six years with and without disabilities in an inclusive environment.
With the aid of master’s level educators and on-staff speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists, the needs of each student are met. Rise offers comprehensive education, intervention, and therapy to students during their formative years. Visit the website for more information.
The Watson Institute
The Watson Institute delivers special education schools, providing educational programs and resources for children with special needs ages 3 to 21.
Watson’s services include:
- Special Education Schools
- Training and Consultation Services
- Behavioral and Mental Health Services
- Special Education Summer Programs
- Special Education Transition Services
- Austin’s Playroom
- Child Diagnostic TestingMental
- and Behavioral Health Services
- Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS)
- Outpatient Therapy Clinic for Children
- TEACCH Autism Program Training
The Watson Institute has been caring for children with disabilities since 1917, this includes children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, brain injuries, neurological impairments, developmental disabilities, and behavioral and mental health challenges. Visit the website.
Vanguard Preparatory School –
Vanguard Preparatory School is the leading therapeutic school in Dallas, serving students with academic, social, emotional, and behavioral differences.
Vanguard Preparatory School serves students with learning differences, speech-language deficits, sensory needs, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and other social and emotional disorders including, but not limited to, the following:
- Academic/Learning Disorders
- Disorder of Written Expression
- Dysgraphia
- Speech and Language Disorders
- Dyscalculia
- Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)
- Dyslexia
- Social Communication Disorder
- Social Emotional Behavioral Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depressive Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety
Visit the website.
What school is best for autistic kids?
Special education schools offer the best services for autistic kids.
These schools serve students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders from three to 22 years of age.
Which states have the best schools for autism?
Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Connecticut are among the states that offer ample resources for children with autism.
At what age do children with autism start attending school?
Many children with autism spectrum disorder are diagnosed by the age of 3 and begin receiving early intervention services.
Upon turning 3, they become eligible for additional services from their local school district through an individualized education program (IEP).
What is Level 1 Autism?
People with ASD level 1 may experience difficulty understanding social cues and may have challenges forming and maintaining personal relationships.
Level 1 autism is the mildest form of autism, also known as “high-functioning” autism, which encompasses individuals who would have previously received a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome.
How long do autistic kids go to high school?
If your child is on the autism spectrum and receives special education services, they have the right to attend high school until the school year in which they turn 21.
This allows for up to three or four extra years of free education for many students in special education.
Conclusion
In Dallas, parents of children with autism have access to a range of specialized schools that provide the support and resources their child needs to succeed.
From academic instruction to social skills development, these schools offer a variety of programs and services that can help children with autism thrive.
By researching and selecting the right school, parents can provide their children with the best possible education and support, setting them up for a bright and successful future, and also the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Check out the 8 Top Housing Assistance for Single Mothers in Illinois.
