Schools for children with multiple severe disabilities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- we live in DC right now and have Medicaid so are hesitant to leave the district unless we know with absolute certainty we would be moving to something way better. But we are considering our long term options which is why I'm asking the question. I fully support inclusion but my kid needs daily living skills to become more independent so a more "academic" focus is not my priority right now.

"Life skills" for most 5 year olds with multiple severe disabilities would mean communication, mobility, and the ability to understand, anticipate and tolerate changing environments. All of these things can be worked on in the context of an inclusive academic setting.

I would look at what some of the charter schools can offer. Bridges would be on my list, but I'd also ask whether an individualized inclusion program in a charter that has a reputation for serving kids well and problem solving would meet his/her needs.

If you are considering moving, I'd look at the School Community Based program at Bethesda Elementary. It has a wonderful reputation. Whether it's enough better than a DC option to forego Medicaid is hard to say.

Unfortunately, there aren't many private options for kids who fit into this category in the area. Ivymount serves kids with severe disabilities, but generally they're kids with autism, not physical and multiple disabilities.

I don't think you really understand what the OP is talking about. Does Bridges really have the capacity to deal with severely, multiply disabled kids? Who are you to judge what OP thinks her own child needs in terms of skills and care?

Bridges has a self contained classroom that includes a number of kids in this category. I can't say exactly how many, as it's been a few years since I had an opportunity to visit.

I'm the pp above, and also a professional working with this population, and a parent of a child with special needs.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are able to relocate to MoCo, I believe the school community based classroom at Luxmanor is really good. My son was in PEP at Luxmanor (the PEP classroom is next door to SCB classroom and they share a bathroom) and all of the teachers are great. I was seriously blown away by the kindness of all the teachers and administrators (after a really bad experience in MoCo Infants and Toddlers). My son started pep completely non-verbal, unable to dress himself etc.