Searching for a school district with good autism programs

[Anonymous]

My family will be moving back to the DC area next year after some years away. In the meantime, our 8 year has been diagnosed with autism and mild ID. We didn't have children the last time we were living in DC so feeling very uninformed about what school district (or neighborhood in DC) to try to move to. My job is remote and my spouse will have to commute to Rosslyn. Any advice/recommendations welcome.

[Anonymous]

Hunt Valley Elementary school in Springfield, VA. The school has a wonderful autism center.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. Would anyone else recommend their school for an autistic child who needs additional learning support?

[Anonymous]

MCPS has good autism programs depending on the type of support required.

[Anonymous]

Best advice I can give is to get your IEP written and signed off before your move. If it’s not what you want, call a meeting and ask for revisions. Don’t tell the current school you’re leaving until day of IEP meeting. Take a great goal writing educational advocate or other professional outside the school AND a good lawyer (yes both are better) and ask for everything you need.

Include specific curriculum, 1:1 if necessary, etc. Know what your child needs, have data to show it, write goals that apply before and/or during the IEP meeting (don’t just take what the school hands you at face value, your input matters hence the need for a goal writer during the meeting).

IME it’s much easier to get a solid IEP if the district signing off on it knows they aren’t paying for it. Since IEP Law is federal the IEP should have no trouble transferring. Just make sure you send it to the new district as soon as you have chosen one so they can make accommodations accordingly.

You might also consult an advocate in this area to assist you with choosing best possible placement and what you might need in an IEP for that placement. You might need an educational attorney on standby in this area too, school districts like to play games as I’m sure you know.

www.wrightslaw.com

[Anonymous]

Yes except you’re very unlikely to get a specific curriculum written into an IEP. They shouldn’t, anyway.

[Anonymous]

I live in Arlington and my understanding is that unless your private school is one specifically set up to deal with autism, like maybe Ivymount or the Lab School, then you are better off going with a public school because most privates aren't set up to deal with the necessary accommodations and other parents paying lots of money don't want their kids exposed to the disruptions that can happen.

Have you searched on past threads, e.g., https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1034688.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PP. Would anyone else recommend their school for an autistic child who needs additional learning support?

We are in DC PrK 3- 2nd and have been in 2 schools. I don't know if I would recommend either. Our child also has ASD and mild ID it is a very challenging combination to support in any school public or private.

I am following to see if I find any leads.. or at least leads that don't include some how coming up with 50-80 grand for self pay at Ivy mount or KKI or wherever. ... Or figuring out if suing the school system to pay for private is in our child's best interest...

Only advice is get an advocate and rent if you can. Cause it is hard to know where will be best for elementary and it could completely change for middle school and highschool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best advice I can give is to get your IEP written and signed off before your move. If it’s not what you want, call a meeting and ask for revisions. Don’t tell the current school you’re leaving until day of IEP meeting. Take a great goal writing educational advocate or other professional outside the school AND a good lawyer (yes both are better) and ask for everything you need.

Include specific curriculum, 1:1 if necessary, etc. Know what your child needs, have data to show it, write goals that apply before and/or during the IEP meeting (don’t just take what the school hands you at face value, your input matters hence the need for a goal writer during the meeting).

IME it’s much easier to get a solid IEP if the district signing off on it knows they aren’t paying for it. Since IEP Law is federal the IEP should have no trouble transferring. Just make sure you send it to the new district as soon as you have chosen one so they can make accommodations accordingly.

You might also consult an advocate in this area to assist you with choosing best possible placement and what you might need in an IEP for that placement. You might need an educational attorney on standby in this area too, school districts like to play games as I’m sure you know.

www.wrightslaw.com

This is very good

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has good autism programs depending on the type of support required.

Huh. Would have to disagree.

[Anonymous]

I have heard very good things about Falls Church City public schools - we are looking to move there from McLean (fairfax county) where we find the classes are overcrowded and our Austistic DC is often overlooked. I can't speak from personal experience but several professionals (SLPs, OTs, etc) have said FCC public schools are great for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has good autism programs depending on the type of support required.

Huh. Would have to disagree.

Me too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has good autism programs depending on the type of support required.

Huh. Would have to disagree.

Me too

It seems like on paper they have a LOT more than DCPS. My kid is on grade level and I don’t think there is any DCPS program for him.

[Anonymous]

Any new findings on this? I am currently doing this search...
I went through DcPS system.. I didnt like their program.

[Anonymous]

MCPS (Montgomery county public schools are not bad... Fairfax I heard is good.

Puclic schools are given systems, tools and are mandated to follow the requirements of the IEP. Hope this helps