Pocono News Section

New School to Help Autistic Students

New School to Help Autistic Students - Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 4:30PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 @ 05:30pm EST
THROOP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A new school, which specializes in teaching students with autism, is about to open its doors in Lackawanna County.

It's called the New Story school and is located in Throop.

There are already similar New Story schools in Berwick and Wyoming. More than 100 kids attend those two facilities. Officials say there is a big need to help teach autistic students in Lackawanna County and points north.

The new school is located in the old Hoop City Building.

"We have a very specialized setting. We have experts in the field of applied behavioral analysis working within our school and they're able to really look at the behaviors of children that really impede their ability to learn in a typical class," Director of Development Tara Koretz said.

Parents like Jack Moore got to get out the new facility Wednesday afternoon.

"We're very excited about the opportunity," Moore said. "We're kinda hoping to catch lightning in a bottle here. Autism is very frustrating."

Moore has an 18-year-old autistic son.

"We're just hoping that he turns a corner and if that happens, you're gonna see me celebrating."

The New Story school has ten classrooms, office space and even a computer room.

"It's fantastic. The space they have here. It's amazing. They can do anything they really need to do," parent Jerry Sweeney said.

The New Story school is slated to get final approval from the Department of Education on April 16th. If that happens, the doors could open on April 21st.

A total of 32 students will be able to learn in Throop at first. That number will most likely increase with time.

"I think one of the benefits here is the smaller staff," Education Director Leslie Harrington said. "The classrooms are small. There is more support."