ACTION NEWS JAX INVESTIGATES: Students with autism thrive at Jacksonville public school

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax Investigates is getting answers for local families with special needs for their children's education.

Action News Jax reported earlier this week about a mother's difficulty in getting her child enrolled in a school that could accommodate his needs because of his autism diagnosis.

Action News Jax investigator Christy Turner is digging into a local school that enrolls only students on the autism spectrum.

Autism now affects 1 in 59 children, according to the National Autism Association. It's a disorder that affects communications, social skills and behavior. About 40% of children with autism do not speak. For additional information on the signs for autism click here.

Danielle Williams’ 5-year-old son, Isaiah, fell into that category before he started at Oak Hill Academy on Jacksonville’s Westside two years ago.

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“It was lack of eye contact. He wasn’t responding to his name, really wasn’t verbalizing anything,” Williams said.

Oak Hill Academy is the first local public school for children with autism and related disabilities.

This week, Isaiah started kindergarten and Williams said he’s made significant strides. “Since he’s been here, he can say his alphabets, count to 10. He knows his colors,” Williams said.

Williams said it makes her proud to see her son’s progress.

“This school has changed my son’s life tremendously,” Williams said.

The school serves children from 3 years old to eighth grade.

When the academy first opened in 2016, it had 74 students.

As of Friday, it had 187 children enrolled.

Students from different counties, including Baker, Clay and St. Johns, attend the school.

Action News Jax was invited onto the campus to spend part of the day with the children who showed us everything they’re learning in the first week of school.

Oak Hill offers a specialized curriculum that’s dedicated to providing individualized, intensive and effective instruction.

The academy is not an open registration site. Parents who are interested in enrolling their child must contact Duval County Public Schools and the Exceptional Education and Student Services placement office.

For more information, click here.

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Cox Media Group