Autism Scholarship Hits 1,000

August 19th, 2008

More than 1,000 preschool and K-12 students with Autism are now using an Ohio state-sponsored scholarship program that provides an educational option for parents who are dissatisfied with the services their child is receiving in a traditional public school.

The Autism Scholarship Program, worth up to $20,000 per student per year, was created in 2003 to allow parents to enroll their child with Autism in private education programs that provide specialized instruction from certified teachers and focus on the social and academic needs of students with Autism.

Rep. Jon Peterson (R-Delaware), who sponsored the legislation that created the scholarship in 2003, said this 1,000 scholarship milestone confirms the importance of alternative education programs in serving children’s individual learning needs.

“The Autism Scholarship Program provides parents with resources to secure services for their vulnerable children that promote independence and self determination,” Peterson said. “That is why parents love the program.”

The scholarship’s continued growth comes at a time when Gov. Ted Strickland is travelling the state getting feedback from Ohioans on education reform. “I strongly encourage the governor to look at what this program has achieved,” said Chad Aldis, executive director of School Choice Ohio. “The personalization and innovation this program offers may be an integral part of what Ohio needs to succeed in the 21st century.”

The scholarship allows parents access to early intervention therapies that are critical to the development of children with Autism. Many parents who have used the scholarship say they have seen a dramatic transformation in their children, who are now receiving high-quality, specialized services that help them reach their full potential. For example, Lori Walter of Elyria said the Autism Scholarship has made a huge difference for her 11-year-old daughter, Chenedi.

“Honestly, I don’t know where she would be without this scholarship. The Autism Scholarship saved my daughter’s life,” said Walter. “Because of the scholarship, we have seen a 90 percent turnaround in her behaviors, without medication. For the first time, we believe that she will eventually be able to live on her own and we couldn’t be happier.”

“The Autism Scholarship Program gave my son access to a fully inclusive and loving preschool environment that was not available through the public school district,” said Erica Thomas, a parent in Columbus.

“Our family is very grateful for this opportunity where he learned how to talk, how to play and how to socialize with others.”

“The involvement of parents has proven repeatedly to be an important component of student success, and this scholarship places the parent firmly in control of their child’s education,” Aldis noted.

While the scholarship participation has ballooned to over 1,000 students, there’s no limit on the number of students with autism who can participate.

About School Choice Ohio

School Choice Ohio (SCO) is committed to the goal of every child in Ohio having access to a quality education. Because this is not yet a reality, the organization works tirelessly to educate both the public and our leaders on the importance of empowering parents to find the best educational setting for the needs of their children. SCO believes that all parents should have the opportunity to choose which school is best for their children, regardless of their income level.