7 Ways Private Schools For Kids With Autism Differ From Public Education

Securing quality ABA-based services for children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in public school settings can feel like an overwhelming challenge – for parents, caregivers, educators, specialists, and healthcare professionals.
Oversized classes and educator burnout to financial constraints and beyond, you might want to look into private schools for your child with autism.
Before writing off the idea of private, special education for your child, there are countless autism scholarships for private schools, state-funded programs, and grants that can relieve the financial burden commonly associated with this type of education.
Explore private schools for kids with autism in PA.
Why A Private School For Kids With Autism May Be A Better Fit For Your Child’s Development
Recent research shows that about 15% of all students (7.5 million children) served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act during the 2022-2023 school year. However, not all of these students receive the help they need to succeed in and outside the classroom.
1. ABA Schools Prioritize Flexible Learning
Schools like Potential’s Springtime School utilize ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) evidence-based techniques and data-driven strategies to encourage specific behaviors. Outdated methods for individuals with autism often rely on general approaches that may not effectively meet students’ needs. Identifying the needs of children with ASD requires a multifaceted approach with several moving parts working in tandem.
2. Tailored Tools For Individual Students
A common myth is that simply placing children with ASD into separate classrooms can solve the learning curve for these students. However, children with autism often have speech or language impairments and other health-related issues that must also be addressed. This is why a specialized curriculum at a private school for children with ASD works better for students and their families.
Schools like Potential offer benefits like:
- Smaller classroom sizes for more one-on-one attention
- Trained professionals who care about your child’s development
- Education tailored to each child’s needs
3. Enhance Overall Student Independence
The path to supporting the healthy development of a child with autism requires more than addressing their academic needs. Creating a plan to improve their independence includes teaching essential life skills, such as self-care, communication, and social interactions, which are crucial for navigating the world.
Targeted support and routine practice following a carefully developed plan by educators and professionals help children build confidence and self-reliance. Encouraging independence promotes a sense of belonging and accomplishment for students with ASD, equipping them with skills they’ll use well into adulthood.
4. Improve Coping Methods With Routine Practice
Both neurotypical children and those with autism often struggle with ways to reduce and cope with anxiety and frustration. However, self-regulation is the real challenge here as children with ASD can have extreme reactions that require undivided attention to reduce. Private schools for students with ASD enable educators to focus on each child’s strengths while providing a proven, data-driven structure to support areas where they may need additional assistance.
5. Expand Resources For Families
Nearly a third of students in special education have specific learning disabilities, representing the largest proportion within this group. As a parent, being your child’s best advocate can be challenging, especially when juggling other responsibilities.
To enhance your advocacy efforts, join parent forums and similar communities where you can connect with others who specialize in supporting children with special needs. These platforms not only provide valuable resources but also offer a sense of community, allowing you to share experiences and gain support as you go through your special education journey.
Learn more about our Springtime School.
6. Simplify Financial & Resource Planning
Access aside, ABA therapy costs an average of $120 to $150 per hour. Insurance coverage options, state programs, and health plans that include ABA services are beneficial but not enough for families with limited resources. This makes parents and caregivers believe that private school is out of the question for their child. Your impact as a donor makes a difference because many public schools cannot provide adequate services for children on the spectrum due to:
- Budget constraints
- Lack of certified educators and specialists available
- Inadequate district-level training for teachers and staff
A private school education with services rooted in ABA can reduce the need for more intensive care in the future, lowering long-term costs for families.
7. Donations Have A Direct Impact
Rather than relying on public school funding for support, donor partnerships for autism services and nonprofits alleviate the financial obstacles. Additionally, this extra support enhances the community as a whole by investing in the next generation.
The more facilities there are to assist students with ASD, the better equipped they are to learn and develop in classroom-like environments with a team of IEP professionals at their side. This type of early support develops essential skills for better class participation and positive interactions with peers, leading to more meaningful interactions throughout the community. A private school education enhances a child with ASD’s opportunity to thrive academically and personally – not simply survive.
Autism Grant & Scholarship Sources
Discover scholarship and grant organizations for children and adults with autism.
- Autism Community Support Scholarship
- Autism Services Disorder Foundation Scholarship
- Autism Society of America Scholarships
- Autism Speaks Scholarship Program[3]
- Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
- Exceptional Needs Trust Scholarship
- First Place AZ Scholarship Fund
- Helping Hands Foundation Grants
- HollyRod Foundation Grants
- Kelly McReynolds Memorial Scholarship
- Lerner Family Foundation Educational Support
- National Autism Association Scholarship
- Organization For Autism Research (OAR) Grants
- Schafer Autism Scholarship
- Schwaille Family Scholarship
Compared to the national average of 15%, Pennsylvania is 1 of 3 states serving the highest number of students with disabilities at 21%.
Autism resources closer to Pennsylvania:
- Pennsylvania Autism Services and Education Foundation (PASEF)
- Autism Speaks Grants for Families
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Funding and Fiscal Guidelines
- ASERT Funding and Grants
We Are All In This World Together
The ultimate goal is to make education inclusive for everyone. However, we can’t simply wait for this transformation to happen. This is why we’re at the forefront of educational solutions to better ensure that the needs of students with ASD are met with the whole human in mind.
Let’s make living easier for those who need our help the most. Explore Potential’s Springtime School.
All grant, scholarship, and finance-related resources are from independent organizations; none are associated with Potential, Inc. All information should be independently verified and confirmed. Questions about specific opportunities should be addressed directly with the offering organization.