Overlake Specialty School

My daughter has Aspergers, Bipolar, Schizoeffective Disorder and O.D.D. Because of her outbursts, meltdowns she had been kicked out of every school she had attended. Finally got her in Overlake Specialty School and it had made all the difference in the World! She graduated from there a few years ago and still struggles, however they had taught her very important life skills that has made her life so much better! Wonderful Teachers, Counselors and staff...Truly a Blessing

This review is from one very grateful Mom for any parents that are seeking information regarding Overlake Specialty School. A few years ago I was searching out information as the school district my child attended told me that they could not continue to deal with my child's behavior issues. They were going to send my child out of district to receive support as they simply didn't have the staff to deal with my child. This was terrifying as a parent. I loved my child and what would this mean for his/her future. We had tried everything that we knew to help my child. It seemed that we couldn't go anywhere or do anything without a melt down...we would have to leave most every event and fun outing which would upset the whole family because of this child. Our world became very small. Went to counseling where the counselor obviously didn't know what I as dealing with- have you tried time out? It seems that most counselors weren't trained to deal with ODD or ADHD...Since preschool I would get calls to come pick up my child as they couldn't cope with the behavior. Kicked out of every daycare....Kindergarten....a call from the Principal....your child has left the grounds...said class is boring...we've called 911. Calls from the school where my child had a "melt down" and was basically holding the Principal,class, teacher or counselors hostage in 1st, 2nd,3rd, 4th and 5th grade...very kind and caring teachers, counselors, teachers and principals trying to help my child. Nothing seemed to work for very long. The whole school tip-toeing around trying to re-arrange things for my child to be successful...with small periods of success. Nothing ever lasted. Dreading calls from the school as often I would have to go get my child just as I should have been in a business meeting during my work day. Lucky I didn't lose my job on top of everything. So concerned about my child....what did the future look like? Prison? Suicide? My child was so unhappy and couldn't seem to climb out of the pit- no matter who tried to help. My child spent part of 5th grade, all of 6th grade and part of 7th grade at Overlake Specialty School. This school and the support my child and I received changed our lives in such a positive way. Every staff member at OSS contibuted to changing my child's life. My child ended 7th grade in a regular school in regular classes with one B+ and the rest A's. Not one negative call or concern from the school. OSS changed my child's trajectory. I will forever be grateful.Special thanks to OSS Teacher Kara.....an excellent and caring teacher who really had the tools and support to help my child. Special thanks to Darcy who is a OSS counselor who worked with my child and who also helped me in my path to understanding my child and to being a better parent. Her kindness and compassion was so much appreciated.Special thanks to Greg who is a Behavior Specialist who is absolutely AMAZING and really knows what he is doing in regards to these kids. I came into the situation scared to death and had exhausted all my parenting/education tricks regarding my child and he gave me a toolbox of new tools to help me to better parent this difficult and very wonderful child of mine. Attend the individual parent meetings....they will schedule a time for you to meet and they will help you in how to help your child. I loved Greg's down to earth wisdom and sense of humor and I held onto every word he said like a lifeline. He understood what I was dealing with. AND he offered a lifeline- he knew how to help my child. My child needed to be parented in a completely different way than my other children. I had to learn things that were not comfortable for my personality....these new strategies worked immediately and that encouraged me to do more. As a former parent at OSS and to protect my child's privacy I couldn't use my real name in this review- however if you are a parent and considering OSS they can probably let you contact a parent or former parent to ask more questions and to help you with your concerns.

I totally disagree with the poor – fair rating for Overlake Specialty School. After my child had been put in broom closet sized timeout rooms, (which exacerbated his health impairment) to, “ the last straw”. when a White River, elementary, special education teacher, dragged my son to the hallway by his ankles and caused a bleeding rug burn. PC prosecutor’s response was “no criminal intent”. If a parent did the same thing, they would be in trouble as a child abuser. My son was pulled from school by his Neurobehavioral specialist until he when to Overlake Specialty School (paid for by White River School District). It saved my son and myself a lot of heartache with suspensions, bulling, anxiety and depression. He turned 18 Dec. 2012 and is back at White River High school until he is 21 to transmission into adult life. Now he has a pretty good chance at having a life without jail, homelessness or suicide. Overlake Specialty School & White River High School, gives my son the ability to have a better, long lasting quality of life.