DC lottery pick for HFA kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't SWS also have an Ivymount affiliated program?

No.

Yes - SWS-Goding has a program designed in partnership with IvyMount. I have talked to both the school and DCPS about it in the last week. Same as other programs (Takoma, Barnard), but with some additional admission criteria: documented IQ of 90+, demonstrated on grade level via testing, a medical diagnosis, an IEP and no speech/communication issues (can have pragmatic speech issues, but not general communication issues)

And you can't lottery into it. You need to be placed through the central office.

[Anonymous]

So you can't lottery in that ivy mount program? what is the process to get kiddos admitted in the at program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you can't lottery in that ivy mount program? what is the process to get kiddos admitted in the at program?

You can't lottery in, and you can't even automatically be admitted if you live IB for the school.

Your IEP team has to decid it would be a good placement for your child, and advocates for them to be placed there with the central office.

If you are outside the DCPS system now, you can contact the Division of Specialized Education at 202-442-9929

Here is the program overview they publish with descriptions of programs and approaches https://dcps.dc.gov/node/994272

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can't lottery in that ivy mount program? what is the process to get kiddos admitted in the at program?

You can't lottery in, and you can't even automatically be admitted if you live IB for the school.

Your IEP team has to decid it would be a good placement for your child, and advocates for them to be placed there with the central office.

If you are outside the DCPS system now, you can contact the Division of Specialized Education at 202-442-9929

Here is the program overview they publish with descriptions of programs and approaches https://dcps.dc.gov/node/994272

Yes to the bolded. If your child is currently in a DCPS without an IEP or a private school (but you tell them you're coming into a DCPS next year) you can call the number listed and get directed to someone who can help you get DCPS to evaluate your child. If you currently have an IEP, they will not want to evaluate your child, and would prefer to offer you a placement based on what's in the IEP. But you may be able to convince them that things have changed or the IEP is inadequate or something, and then they may agree to reevaluate your child before offering you a placement in one of the DCPS programs.

As for charters -- CM is often described as good for HFA. I have heard mixed reviews of ITS, but it seems to work for some HFA kids. Two Rivers Young is building an OT/sensory room this summer for kids with sensory issues, which indicates that they might be understanding of ASD sensory issues, if your child has any. Bridges has quite a few kids on the spectrum in general ed and special education classes. Peculiarities associated with ASD will be understood there and the teachers and students have high tolerance for and even acceptance of ASD symptoms (unusual movements, vocal tics, lack of social skills). I don't know how old your other child is, but my NT child is in preschool at Bridges and I think the preschool program is excellent, but I don't know anything about the academics in the higher grades. HTH!

[Anonymous]

Mine is at Yu Ying and it has been good overall.

[Anonymous]

Yes to the bolded. If your child is currently in a DCPS without an IEP or a private school (but you tell them you're coming into a DCPS next year) you can call the number listed and get directed to someone who can help you get DCPS to evaluate your child. If you currently have an IEP, they will not want to evaluate your child, and would prefer to offer you a placement based on what's in the IEP. But you may be able to convince them that things have changed or the IEP is inadequate or something, and then they may agree to reevaluate your child before offering you a placement in one of the DCPS programs.

As for charters -- CM is often described as good for HFA. I have heard mixed reviews of ITS, but it seems to work for some HFA kids. Two Rivers Young is building an OT/sensory room this summer for kids with sensory issues, which indicates that they might be understanding of ASD sensory issues, if your child has any. Bridges has quite a few kids on the spectrum in general ed and special education classes. Peculiarities associated with ASD will be understood there and the teachers and students have high tolerance for and even acceptance of ASD symptoms (unusual movements, vocal tics, lack of social skills). I don't know how old your other child is, but my NT child is in preschool at Bridges and I think the preschool program is excellent, but I don't know anything about the academics in the higher grades. HTH!

Hi OP, yes the PP is right. Two Rivers Young was awarded a grant this year to enhance the support of special ed students. Thisincludes the sensory room that the PP described among other things. I have a HFA child at Two Rivers Young and I have been very happy with how they have supported my child in an inclusion setting. My child absolutely loves it there and is thriving academically and socially. I really believe Two Rivers is definitely a wonderful option for your child. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you live in DC and have an ASD kid in an inclusive setting (ie., not a self-contained autism classroom), what schools are you applying for?

Specifically interested in elementary. Child is a rising kindergartner.

I'm thinking of Creative Minds, Inspired Teaching, SWS. Others I should consider?

Thx.

What's your time horizon? Our multiple years of experience at CM was decidedly mixed - the school just does't provide teachers sufficiently comprehensive PD support for the challenge of inclusion. And very few teachers have enough teaching experience to come in what that set of skills. Some get there, some don't, but there aren't enough SPED staff to push in and fill the gap. That combined with the prevalence of project-based work means that the classroom can be disorganized, and hard for a HFA to manage, depending on sensitivities and behaviors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine is at Yu Ying and it has been good overall.

+1 They provide excellent supports for mild ASD and/or ADHD. My kid has both and he started at YY in prek now in upper elementary. We'll be sorry to leave. I know other parents with kids with these issues and no complaints, everyone is happy with the supports and services provided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't SWS also have an Ivymount affiliated program?

No.

Yes - SWS-Goding has a program designed in partnership with IvyMount. I have talked to both the school and DCPS about it in the last week. Same as other programs (Takoma, Barnard), but with some additional admission criteria: documented IQ of 90+, demonstrated on grade level via testing, a medical diagnosis, an IEP and no speech/communication issues (can have pragmatic speech issues, but not general communication issues)

I spoke with Central Office earlier this school year. I was informed that Yes, SWS-Goding has a program DESIGNED with a (previous) partnership with Ivymount (i.e., the teachers are Ivymount-trained and/or receive the Ivymount training via reps of DCPS) but DCPS no longer has a partnership/contract with Ivymount.