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 Private
School Offers Program to Meet Needs of Autistic Kids
by Janet Sugameli, The Detroit News, August 23, 2004
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A private
kindergarten through eighth-grade school in Washington Township
is offering a new alternative for parents of autistic children
this fall.
Krambrooke-Griffin Academy, which enrolled 70 students in its
traditional program last year, hopes to tap into the market of a
growing number of students being diagnosed with autism, a
neurological developmental disorder.
If the program succeeds, it would be the only school in Macomb
County to offer an independent academic and therapeutic program
for autistic children outside of what the Macomb Intermediate
School District offers. But it comes at a hefty cost — $15,000 a
year.
The characteristics of autism are wide-ranging, including being
socially withdrawn and having speech and language impairment,
behavioral problems and repetitive movements.
Some reports have the rate of children diagnosed with autism in
Michigan up more than 1,500 percent compared with 10 years ago
as awareness of the disorder rises. The state ranks fourth in
the country in incidences of autism, according to the Autism
Society of Michigan.
Parents with special-needs children traditionally turn to the
intermediate school district for their child's education.
The Macomb ISD services about 340 students diagnosed with autism
through its Bozymowski Center for Education in Sterling Heights.
There are high-functioning autistic children scattered in
traditional public school classrooms in the county with the help
of ISD consultants.
Don Bollinger, associate superintendent at the MISD, said it
costs about $35,000 to provide students with federally mandated
speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physical
therapy, and academic instruction.
The intermediate school district transports the students to and
from school each day. The ISDs absorb the high costs of
instruction and therapy with tax dollars and grants.
But administrators at Krambrooke-Griffin Academy, on Van Dyke at
27 Mile, believe there are parents willing to pay for
specialized services and smaller classrooms.
The academy has hired a teacher who specializes in autism, an
occupational therapist and certified paraprofessional to get the
program going. It's been a slow start — only eight students have
enrolled. That's just enough to start the program this fall, but
as word gets out, the school hopes to increase enrollment and
get grants to help defray the costs.
"We feel that every child learns differently, and we take that
into consideration with every child that comes into our
classroom," said Stacey Holland, the school's director. "We give
them as many learning styles as possible to make them successful
in the real world."
Krambrooke-Griffin is a nonreligious private school that
emphasizes "core knowledge." Its curriculum is based on what
is taught in high school but at an age-appropriate level. It
also emphasizes extracurricular activities.
The idea to start the autistic program began as four
high-functioning autistic children were already enrolled in the
traditional program, Holland said.
The academy plans to offer speech therapy, occupational therapy,
sensory integration and sign language component. Based on
individual ability levels, special-needs students will be
combined with traditional students.
The cost is worth it, according to Sterling Heights resident
Dawn Cope, whose 9-year-old son Nicholas will attend the program
this fall.
"I chose Krambrooke-Griffin Academy because I was not looking
forward to sending my high functioning autistic son to public
school for another year," she said. "The individual education
program the public school set up for him last year was
ineffective. They did not address his need for social skills."
Her son's behavior has improved in the past year, she said.
"I like going to school at Krambrooke because I have met more
kids and have more friends now," said Nicholas, who is entering
fourth grade this fall. "I learn a lot. The kids are nice to me.
When I am upset, the teachers are helpful and kind."
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