MCPS autism connections

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me what is going on with the Autism Connections program in MCPS?

We were told when we went from the homeschool model to a learning center that Autism Connections was not an option.

I don’t understand why, and they weren’t able to really explain why they didn’t consider it for my daughter. She’s an advanced reader, and while she’s resistant to doing work, she’s bright and can talk about lots of topics that interest her.

What’s the profile of students that go to Autism Connections? Are they just saying it’s not an option because there’s not any room? Or because we can’t afford an education advocate?

[Anonymous]

You don't mention anything that suggests that she needs it. Most students with "high functioning" autism are in gen ed.

[Anonymous]

I thought the learning centers were for kids that weren't working at grade level.

What grade is she in? And how close are you to one of the Autism Connections programs?

[Anonymous]

Also, what did the process look like that led you to a learning center? What issues were coming up the gen ed classroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't mention anything that suggests that she needs it. Most students with "high functioning" autism are in gen ed.

OP said the DD was resistant to doing work. Depending on what this means (average kid? Full blown PDA? Somewhere in the middle?), gen ed might not work for the DD. What is the general profile of the students in Autism Connections?

[Anonymous]

From the MCPS website: “Autism Connections is located in two elementary, two middle, and two high schools. The program is designed for students in grades 1 - 12 who are accessing the general education on or above grade level, who require specialized instruction to address social and/or executive functioning needs. Services provide students with instruction and accommodations that facilitate appropriate access to instruction in the least-restrictive environment, which may include access to acceleration and enrichment.”

Since your child is placed in a learning center program, my guess is that autism connections isn’t an option because your child’s academics are below grade level, or her needs are not primarily social or executive functioning related.

[Anonymous]

In contrast, the learning center description: “ Elementary ELCs are regional special education services that provide specialized, scaffolded instruction in core academic areas for students in kindergarten through Grade 5 with global academic needs and delays in social and/or behavioral development, and executive functioning.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't mention anything that suggests that she needs it. Most students with "high functioning" autism are in gen ed.

OP said the DD was resistant to doing work. Depending on what this means (average kid? Full blown PDA? Somewhere in the middle?), gen ed might not work for the DD. What is the general profile of the students in Autism Connections?

For learning centers: they seem to be the new dumping ground for “one size fits no one.” And that now includes on grade level kids they don’t know what to do with.


Autism connections won’t take PDA kids —- or at least they try not to. They were up front with us on that part. And after learning more and touring the program, I agree.‘it’s a lot of transitions (in/out of gen ed classes every hour or so); and the connections classroom was very ABA-like structured and compliance focused. Which does not work well for PDAers.

There aren’t programs that check all the boxes - even non publics.