I think it is wonderful what you are doing. We are interested in coming for an observation sometime, or an open house for families considering your program. My son's name is Chance. He is almost 3 years old, and was daignosed pdd-nos at the age of 2 years.

In response to the comment that was in response to my original comment, this guest book is for people to state there opinions and it is my opinion that licenses dont mean that you specialize in helping these children with disabilities. It only means that they went to school to get general knowledge. Teachers are teachers, nurses are nurses, and I do not believe that Marie Reyes's child was diagnosed with autism. She may be kind and patient however, just because your child is a little behind it dose not make them autistic. She even posted a comment that shows what his diagnosis is and it is not autism. The comment from March 18,2007. Again I am going off of my opinion and experience with children that really have AUTISM.

I'm seeking for an alternative form of education for my son, Parker (7) who has a dx of AS. Currently, he's a first grader at Boones Ferry Primary, Wilsonville, and I don't feel as they are doing all they can b/c they are lacking teachers with knowledge of Autism or how to accommodate his needs. He's super smart reading 4th & 5th grade level. He's in an all inclusive classroom but there's no aid to assist his teacher or himself. They also placed him w/ a teacher at the beginning of the school year who was pregnant and left in Feb forcing him to transition to another teacher for which resulted in some behavioral issues. The administrators recently told me that they know longer want Parker to attend after school programs w/o me being present b/c the teachers are actually volunteers w/ no creditials. Right now, I feel hopeless. I'm a single mother w/ two children, going to school full time and though I love me children, I'm finding it extremely difficult and overwhelming raising them w/ little or no support from the school and don't what to do, hence, I'm very interested in your program, especially 2nd grade. Thanks. Sally

All the university degrees, scholastic certificates or personal awards will NEVER equal the amount of dedication, true passion and unbelievable optimism an individual who has a loved one with Autism has towards this disorder. The School of Autism is blessed with both sides of this equation: academic knowledge and training with real-life compassion and understanding. They know how to personally and uniquely interact with each child based on their individualised needs, strengths and sensitivities - so that the child builds a confident, trusting relationship to learn and grow in. As a parent with a child enrolled in the School of Autism, I know my child will never get overlooked, segregated, or labelled. Thank you Sara, Donna and Marie!

To respond to Pat's comment below. School of Autism was started with zero capital. It is not a big corporation, that took years to fund before it opened for business. It is a small non-profit with 1 main goal: to provide education and support to families affected by autism. School of Autism charges a minimal tuition, state daycare rates are higher! We are currently fundraising to hire a full-time therapist and another full-time teacher, but it takes time and resources to do so. School of Autism has 3 excellent staff members: Donna Bloom is a Registered Nurse. Her experience and license bring support and education to the medical aspect of autism. All of the students at SOA have medical issues, and she has the education to support the children and families medically. She has a grandson with autism. She knows what it is like to take care of a child with autism all day, every day. Sara VanZee is and Early Childhood and Elementary School Teacher. She has the experience/license to teach any aged children pre-k through 8th grade in Oregon. She also has a son with autism. She deals with autism 24 hours a day. This practical experience is something that cannot be learned in the classroom. Marie Reyes: She is a teacher's assistant. She also has a child with autism. Marie brings a very sweet and patient demenor to School of Autism, which is a very important aspect in the care and guidance of children, especially children with autism. More importantly, since the staff at SOA truly understand autism, they more naturally see the talents in each child. They find strengths that each student has and uses that to develop the students challenges. The staff love the children...what more can a family ask for than for their child to be where they are loved and understood.

I think that more specialized teachers on staff are needed.

Since we first started feeling concerned that something was different about our son Ezra, and when he didn't seem to be developing language the way typical children did, my husband and I have been searching for a place where our son could grow. For a good year we tried various schools - an integrated preschool, montessori, waldorf - and all left us feeling desperate and afraid there might be no place for Ezra, no place where he would simply be celebrated, supported, encouraged, and seen for the special, wonderful person he is. The current climate of our culture is weighted with the notion that autism is a tragedy, that we need to find a cure, as though we were speaking of a deadly disease. We have felt terribly protective of Ezra, for this reason. I have run quickly from evaluators, special ed teachers, therapists, etc who believed Ezra needed to be more "normal," who only saw his issues and not his unique strengths, who didn't seem to understand that Ezra was perfect just as he is. When we found the School of Autism, we were afraid it couldn't be true, but as it came clear that these very special people really were providing a school that honored autism not as a disease, or even a disorder, but as a neurological difference. They love Ezra for who he is, while still giving him the pushes he needs. When I arrive to pick him up, they don't tell me the things he didn't do that day. Instead, they give me back the gift I felt was stolen from me for so long - not because Ezra has autism, but because so many people see his autism as something negative - the gift of having others acknowledge what is wonderful about my child. We are so relieved and thrilled to have finally found a true home for our son. And for our family.

Hello, I have worked a little with autistic children and am interested in getting more training to work with them further. Do you guys offer training in your organization? If not can you point me in the right direction. Thank you so much!!

I WAS WONDERING WAS THERE A MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN? I AM A NEW MOTHER WHO'S CHILD WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM.

Congratulations, Just found your school searching.My child could have benefited greatly from your model. What you are doing is so very needed. The very best to you, may you flourish and prosper, Maya

Thank you for your willingness to listen to your heart. Our son is now 14, it has been a journey I have never regreted. Sorrow? Oh yes at different times but never regrets, the lessons we learn are there only if we will listen, with our hearts and with new ears that our blessings have given us. I look forward to hearing from you. Joyce

Our Auction was a HUGE SUCCESS! We raised over $13,000 for scholarships, equipment and community outreach & education. Thank you to all who attended, donated and participated in our energy charged evening. I especially appreciate all of our parents who were there to see the community support of their children...it was such a sight to see! Congratulations to us all!

I want Sara and Donna to know that they are true pioneers here in the Northwest, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities they've given our son Kolby. Kolby turned five last November; he was diagnosed autism when he was two, though we knew much sooner that there was something "off." We have tried for several years to find a place where Kolby could have closely supervised time with other children so he could learn to play and learn in a "normal" way. Since starting the School of Autism last fall, Kolby is imaginately playing (never has done that before!), increased items he's willing to eat, is progressing in speech areas (finally saying a word here and there), and has become 100% aware of his environment (so much so that we were able to enjoy an eight-day cruise with him to Mexico, which we wouldn't have done a year ago). God bless Sara, Donna, Kevin and Dion!!! There program is a one-of-its-kind.

KUDDOS to You and Your Staff. I live in California and was on the www.autismtown.com website and read your post about your school and checked it out! My son last January 2006 was diagnosed at age 2 1/2yr-it very well with all the early intervention we started with him. It's nice to see people making a difference-Much success to you !

My son Zachary started The School of Autism in November of last year. He is diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay. When he started he had a vocabulary of about 5 words, now he says 3 to 4 word sentences on his own with no prompting. I believe his progress his mainly do to the caring and productive enviroment he is apart of every week. Zachary now enjoys playing with other children,laughing, running and all the other stuff a 4 year old boy should be doing. Sara and Donna truely have put there hearts and souls into this school which is why I think it is as succesful as it is in helping these special needs children. I can happily say that my family is not the same since Zachary started school, and I look foward to the progress he will continue to make.

Dear Friends & Families, I would like to personally thank you for making my dream of having a school for children with autism possible. My son was diagnosed at 3 with autism. I struggled with the available programs until we finally decided there was more than one way to do things and we created our own. We know Autism and I don't believe children on the spectrum should be "trained"...I believe they just learn differently, and are capable of being amazing contributors to society. The way they look at the world and see what we do not...colors, numbers, pictures...we all can learn something from them. We like to celebrate all of their amazing abilities and also teach them what they need to learn to express their abilities. Autism is not a death sentence. It is challenging and causes desperation and havoc in families sometimes, but it will get better. It will.