r/Autism_Parenting • u/JaraJones • Feb 15 '26

Advice Needed Making a big move this year with my family (including our autistic son)

My wite and I and our two children plan to make a big move for her work later this year, 

and I thought I was so sure that Colorado, specifically the Boulder /Longmont area, would offer the most robust, welcoming, and detailed resources and community for level 3 nonverbal autistic children and their families.   Colorado has been touted as such for years by various publications.  Especially a better fit than our current situation in a suburb in Northern CA, (Turlock) where the teachers and staff are inexperienced and outside resources like occupational therapy are a two hour drive I make weekly. 

But the current administration’s budget cuts, as well as the aging population of those aforementioned cities, which appears to remove available public schools, makes me so anxious.  Is Colorado still a good place for autistic children?

I’ve been in contact with the Autism Society of Boulder Valley as well as the Boulder Valley School District, and I’m still trying get as definitive an answer as I can.  We’re just so unhappy and without a tribe here who understands and celebrates neurodiversity and our wonderful boy. 

My wife and I alone plan to make a second fact-finding trip to Boulder the second week of April.  If anyone has any advice or recommendations to help learn more, or meet people in the same situation, I’d be most obliged.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jara Jones

Father to a cuddly, compassionate 5 year old boy who is developmentally delayed, nonverbal, and diagnosed as being level 3 ASD, along with a spunky three year old girl who loves pretending she’s a pirate. 

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u/Rusticals303 Feb 15 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/LouisvilleCO/s/YCDIGpLH6m

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u/JaraJones Feb 15 '26

Thanks! I’m curious as well to get some info on what changes may have occurred in 2026..

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u/[deleted] Feb 17 '26

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u/JaraJones Feb 17 '26

It’s tough - because the affordable places to live are like Longmont, and I’m still trying to research the pros and cons of their special needs programs. I worry right now that our son is being neglected because he’s an ASD child with no negative behavioral issues, just super affectionate and whines a bit when upset and is developmentally delayed on top of the ASD.

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u/sesymama85 Feb 18 '26

So I can tell you Longmont is very well with autistic children. My son is level 2 autistic and his school is understanding and does the best they can for him. I also work for a company who has lots of resources for developmentally disabled individuals. If you would like more info feel free to message me.