Budget cuts and PDD-NOS or HFA in N. Va

[Anonymous]

Anyone know how budget cuts will effect those mildly on the autism spectrum who are high functioning in some areas, but still need services? For example, a kindergartner who can read (though not comprehend) and do math at a 2nd grade level, but who has language processing skills and verbal expression skills that are way below average and cause impairment and who has delayed social skills, but can be social with peers albeit in an immature way? Are sensory issues taken into account? I have been told my chances of getting an aide for my child are small. Is that true? Are there aides that can be shared by several students in a mainstream classroom?

Any tips when IEP time comes...things that help get the IEP and things that help get the services you feel your child needs to function optionally?

[Anonymous]

My son, who just turned 5, is in the category you describe. I think he could function in a mainstream Kindergarten class with support, but I'm not sure what his options will be. He will soon undergo testing by Fairfax County but we'll just have to wait and see re:Kindergarten.

I am also worried that he'll be affected by budget cuts. I don't want to keep him in a separate special ed class if he could handle regular K with a little help. I don't really think he's ready to handle a large class on his own, but academically he's very bright and gets easily bored if not challenged - which leads to behavior problems.

[Anonymous]

OP here...thanks for response. Will you come back and post periodically as you go through the process? I am curious to see what they offer you. We are behind you in the process. I, like you, don't think my son needs a separate special ed class, but he will need an IEP and services like ST and OT. He will also need a teacher who understands his issues.

[Anonymous]

I will come back and post as we go through the testing process for Kindergarten. He has an IEP in preschool, but is due to be re-tested this spring.

[Anonymous]

My son has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS. He goes to a FCPS. Since he has PDD, he qualifies under the "Autism" designation for special ed services. With an IEP, you either qualify or you don't. There is not a sliding scale based on how highly functioning he is. Where that does come into play is with the accomodation you agree to during the IEP. Remember, you drive the bus. You push for the accommodations you think your son needs. You can request a change to them when they are not working. With the bidget cuts, it may be harder to get the school to evaluate your child, but if you have the diagnosis from your own physicians, that qualifies you. The speech therapy services during the day at school are minimal. We had to go for private speech therapy after school for 4 years. For my son, there was always a special ed teacher or instructional assistant to help out. That person is just as important as the teacher. They will be the one working with your child when they need time in a small group or one-on-one time. He was not pulled into a special ed only class. Most schools don't have the resources for that. However, there are a few elementary school that have more of a focus on special ed, like Marshall Road Elementary in Vienna. As classrooms become more crowded, it will be harder for the teachers to manage. A noisy, out-of-control classroom is very hard on kids that are struggling at the best of time. My son did very well with a daily report card. I used this to "reward" him at home.