Use a Realtor Who Knows What Its like To Have a Special Needs Child

As a parent of a child with autism, I know firsthand the struggle of having a son with special needs. My first born son, Kasey, now 6, was diagnosed when he was 26 months old. We have therapists in our home 5 days a week totaling 10 hours. Kasey also has been enrolled in school full time since he turned 3. Kasey is also non-verbal, which is another challenge in itself.

Kasey When He Was Baby

Luckily as parents, my job as a Realtor has scheduling flexibility, so I can be home for Kasey’s therapy and my wife Paula, is a social worker at a special needs school in Bergen County and also does private practice therapy for children and families. My wife being in the field has been a great asset for us, as she knows the ins and outs of programs & services available in Bergen County, the quality of the special needs schools, and getting around the school bureaucracy. We have had many battles in having certain criteria in Kasey’s I.E.P. (Individual Education Program) that met his needs.
Kasey is now enrolled in the Valley Pi Program in Harrington Park. We had him enrolled in another school in our district initially, but we had numerous problems and it always seemed like there was some new issue we had to fight. But having a child with special needs requires the parents to advocate for their kids. Schools are sometimes more concerned with their budgets, than doing the best for the children. We went through several School Principal changes, staff overhauls, varying case managers, months without a behaviorist, and changes in the school philosophy & program model.

Kasey Now at 6

I can’t say that about the Valley Program, which has an excellent staff of teachers, therapists, and assistants that I would recommend to any parent of a special needs student. They not only have the children learning in a classroom setting, but they have the students interact in real world settings like the supermarket, mall, movie theatre, the swimming pool, and other productive outings. Having your special needs child exposed to these type of situations makes it easier when you have to take your child out.
Its important when you have a special needs child, to live in a good school district that has excellent special needs services. Having an agent represent you in your real estate transaction who understands what you go through as a special needs parent is vital. I can help you choose a town and school district that best fits your child’s needs. My wife also provides a free consultation to all my clients to assist them in choosing the right town for them and what services are available.