MCPS high school options for slightly 2e kid

[Anonymous]

What is sthe difference between connections and gtld?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should go through the IEP process and see if your child qualifies. MCPS gatekeeps all of their programs, especially Connections and GT/LD. Your child would need to first qualify for an IEP AND get the central office to agree that their needs cannot be met in their homeschool. This is very unlikely without first failing out of the original school.

But the whole process starts with getting an IEP. Even though your child has a year prior to starting MCPS, I would still encourage you to go through the process. This will give you enough time to look at placement next summer (if needed).

Thank you! This is very helpful. I think your suggestion to get started now makes sense. Another question since we are new to this system:is there any disadvantage to having an IEP? will it exclude him from any classes or tracks within WJ?

[Anonymous]

MCPS "Connections" is what used to be the Aspergers program. The gating item is an ASD diagnosis. WJ has "Connections" and GTLD.

Our ADHD/LD DS (based on a neuropsych at age 5) had an IEP in grades 3-5 under "Other Health Impairment" (ADHD). MCPS offered GTLD but DS had friends at home school and didn't want to move, which we respected. Second neuropsych (age 9) for the first time flagged possibility of ASD Level 1, which Dr. Black confirmed. So for MS, DS entered what is now "Connections" at Tilden and continues in that program at WJ. Fortunately our home school. IEP is now under ASD as the Primary plus ADHD and one LD (down from 3 LDs diagnosed the first time around, which we still advocate to reinstate without success. Amazing how LDs can "disappear" when your kid's grades shoot up). Very slow processing speed like PP.

"Connections" in HS provides a Case Manager, Resource, opportunities for co-taught (SPED and GenEd teachers) Gen Ed academic classes as well as "supported" (SPED paraeducator) Gen Ed academic classes and a "Transitions" program for 14 and up that we're just learning about. Electives are not co-taught or para-supported. Neither are foreign language classes (which DS starts next year -- that was a bit of a surprise). DS' IEP has a solid amount of accommodations and supplementary aids/supports. No classes, tracks, etc. are off-limits as far as I can tell.

[Anonymous]

What grade is your child going into at WJ? Mine is starting 9th in Connections program. Child has an IEP with ASD1/ADHD diagnosis, but did not go to Tilden...but had a lot of social emotional and other helpful classes to prep for public high school. Definitely think they are ready for this transition! Curious about how it's going for your child and any tips you have. Our other child just graduated from WJ, but this will be a totally different experience for us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS "Connections" is what used to be the Aspergers program. The gating item is an ASD diagnosis. WJ has "Connections" and GTLD.

Our ADHD/LD DS (based on a neuropsych at age 5) had an IEP in grades 3-5 under "Other Health Impairment" (ADHD). MCPS offered GTLD but DS had friends at home school and didn't want to move, which we respected. Second neuropsych (age 9) for the first time flagged possibility of ASD Level 1, which Dr. Black confirmed. So for MS, DS entered what is now "Connections" at Tilden and continues in that program at WJ. Fortunately our home school. IEP is now under ASD as the Primary plus ADHD and one LD (down from 3 LDs diagnosed the first time around, which we still advocate to reinstate without success. Amazing how LDs can "disappear" when your kid's grades shoot up). Very slow processing speed like PP.

"Connections" in HS provides a Case Manager, Resource, opportunities for co-taught (SPED and GenEd teachers) Gen Ed academic classes as well as "supported" (SPED paraeducator) Gen Ed academic classes and a "Transitions" program for 14 and up that we're just learning about. Electives are not co-taught or para-supported. Neither are foreign language classes (which DS starts next year -- that was a bit of a surprise). DS' IEP has a solid amount of accommodations and supplementary aids/supports. No classes, tracks, etc. are off-limits as far as I can tell.

What grade is your child going into at WJ? Mine is starting 9th in Connections program. Child has an IEP with ASD1/ADHD diagnosis, but did not go to Tilden...but had a lot of social emotional and other helpful classes to prep for public high school. Definitely think they are ready for this transition! Curious about how it's going for your child and any tips you have. Our other child just graduated from WJ, but this will be a totally different experience for us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is highly intellectual, STEM/robotics/engineering specialist, wonderful artist and gifted musician, and is VERY inattentive in class. Highly emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and manipulative. He hates school and claims it is 'prison'. Still, he gets decent grades so far because he hates disappointing his teachers.

OP I'd be worried about the manipulation. We were at a neighboring school to WJ and our IEP kid ran circles around the teachers. Also, moving from Catholic to MCPS public you'll be entering a level of academic dishonesty you probably haven't seen before. Based on your post, it's something to keep an eye on. Have you formally started the IEP process?

[Anonymous]

Op there is no way you are getting an iep with the child you described or access to a gtld program with good grades and no current ld diagnosis. Many of these kids are severely below grade level

[Anonymous]

If your child has been functioning in Catholic school so far with accommodations, he might not qualify for an IEP. A strong 504 may be all he needs. I would consider a special program (GTLD/Connections) to be off the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child has been functioning in Catholic school so far with accommodations, he might not qualify for an IEP. A strong 504 may be all he needs. I would consider a special program (GTLD/Connections) to be off the table.

I have to agree. I have a 2e kid in DCPS and considering MCPS for HS - even though we have an IEP I’m assuming there is no way we are getting a special program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op there is no way you are getting an iep with the child you described or access to a gtld program with good grades and no current ld diagnosis. Many of these kids are severely below grade level

NP here. OP our experience tracks with this advice. Our slightly 2e IEP gen ed/inclusion kid was failing most of his classes and the IEP team gave me the impression that a move to a special program would be an uphill battle. We left MCPS because we didn't think we could afford to wait. If our kid couldn't get in, I don't think your kid would be considered.

[Anonymous]

OP - if your DS needs a 504 you may ask for the same guidance counselor to follow in high school. Also if teachers switch in subjects during semesters in some subjects you should see if keeping the same one in a subject if need is possible. ***Also be sure you get all double time for tests etc done by Guidance as the one for PSAT was never submitted for a student I know, and her not being in a “testing
room with extended time caused disruption for 25 other students when she got frustrated and upset!