An autism school in America, particularly Newton Learning Center, has been given permanent residences for kids with autism to reside in an old daycare in Village Green Parkway according to Reno Gazette- Journal. Rebecca Larrieu, one of the staff who helped open the school, said that autism numbers are increasing. The West Reno Daycare has been renovated on Village Green Parkway.
An article written by Claire Bickers in Perthnow Sunday Times, said that in just seven years, the number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in state schools had soared 182 percent to 4512 students this year. The newly renovated area has a space of 8,000 square feet which includes the classrooms, a lunch room, and a playground area.
The school is part of Second Start which started as an after-school program for children with learning disabilities. Larrieu said that the goal of the school is to help families transition back and help students who are behind, being bullied, or no longer attending public school and are looking for options. She said that the school helps students transition back.
Also, she stated that this is the school for students who are not doing well in public schools. Children who were told they would not graduate have succeeded at Newton and finished high school with a diploma.
"But we hear the stories of so many children not doing well," said Larrieu. She is inspired to help children with disabilities because of the experience her parents had in educating her brother.
According to Tara Bevington, the executive director of Second Start, the parent support in Reno is overwhelming. She said that they had donated a countless number of hours to turn the day care space into a traditional school building.
Bevington also said that all of Nevada's families pay privately, unlike the program in San Jose. During Saturdays, from noon to 9 p.m., the school holds an open house.
In October, the program was blocked by the Nevada Supreme Court because it was funded in an account for public schools. The problem could be fixed by lawmakers by setting aside money for the program during the next session.
