A new place for autistic children
A new charter school catering to autistic children is planning on opening its doors in the fall of 2008. Lionsgate Academy will be serving 6th- through 10th- graders, and one day will hopefully serve people through the age of 21.
As the Star Tribune's article articulates, the parents of many local autistic children are becoming frustrated and lonely. It seems an uphill battle for many parents -- constantly convincing schools to better educate their children.
This new school is planning on opening in the western suburbs and recruiting teachers and staff that are well trained with working with autistic kids.
The Academy still needs to raise an additional $1.5 million in order to purchase equipment and programming as well as finding a site.
The new school is founded by parents of autistic children, and the hopes are that this learning establishment will be a place for parents of autistic children to commune and learn from one another. They also hope it can be a place for researchers to study and learn how to better serve autistic kids and help them lead for meaningful lives, according to the Star Tribune.
It's really good to see this type of school opening. Even 50 years ago children with disabilities were shunned or placed in mental institutions. I grew up with a mentally and physically handicapped sister and saw firsthand the struggles my parents went through raising a handicapped child. My sister went to a public school, but I think had their been a charter school around that catered to my parents and my sister's needs -- life would have been easier for everyone.
Lionsgate Academy will be the first of it's kind in Minnesota -- and one of only a few across the United States. I hope that with time this new type of institution and supportive environment will only grow.