[Former Esq.]

We are looking to move to one of the above towns. The most important factor for us is the quality of the special education services. We have a 5 year old that is highly functioning on the autistic spectrum. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[JayCT]

I can't speak to the specific programs offered but all three of these town have excellent schools. If I had to guess, I would say Westport's would be best since it is a larger town and has one of the best performing school systems in the state. That said I think you should talk directly to the school program director for information and tour schools in each town before committing to one. That may help. Jay

[Former Esq.]

Thanks for the response. I think the challenge we are having is that while they are all great school districts for typically developing children, that doesn't necessarily translate into great special education services and the propensity of the school district to fight tooth and nail to foot the bill for any additional services our child requires.

[arielmina]

This is completely hearsay but I have not heard good things about Wilton's special ed services.

[Former Esq.]

Thanks. By hearsay: do you mean you've heard from a friend who lives there?

[arielmina]

yes, who has an autistic child

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I can't speak to the specific programs offered but all three of these town have excellent schools. If I had to guess, I would say Westport's would be best since it is a larger town and has one of the best performing school systems in the state. That said I think you should talk directly to the school program director for information and tour schools in each town before committing to one. That may help. Jay

I know you're pretty up on the school statistics, but i really feel that we're doing a disservice when we speculate on which town offers the best special ed programs. My cousin is a special ed teacher in FFC, and his recommendation is to talk to the parents of children in these programs. Yes, it is a difficult task to identify said parents, however, it really is the only way to get solid information. He would suggest that the OP contact the head of the local PTA's for assistance with identifying these parents. I'd suggest following the "small" buses from the schools, but that would probably be a bad idea around here.

[renovating]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

and his recommendation is to talk to the parents of children in these programs. Yes, it is a difficult task to identify said parents, however, it really is the only way to get solid information. He would suggest that the OP contact the head of the local PTA's for assistance with identifying these parents.

No, I can assure you as a PTA officer in my town, this is incorrect. Not only would we not know which families are receiving special ed services, we would never provide names to a stranger.

Contact each town and go through their pupil services.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by renovating

No, I can assure you as a PTA officer in my town, this is incorrect. Not only would we not know which families are receiving special ed services, we would never provide names to a stranger.

Contact each town and go through their pupil services.

I'll take the word of someone that is actually gainfully employed as a special ed teacher in a school system in the county.

Not every town has parents that are so vain as to attempt to "hide" that their child requires special ed services.

[renovating]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Not every town has parents that are so vain as to attempt to "hide" that their child requires special ed services.

What does this mean? What are you talking about? Do you really think the PTA knows the families that are receiving services? How and why would they?

And who is "hiding" and who is doing it vainly?