montgomery county autism programs?

[Anonymous]

This provides a good breakdown:

http://www.xminds.org/content.asp?pl=27&sl=8&contentid=176

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This provides a good breakdown:

http://www.xminds.org/content.asp?pl=27&sl=8&contentid=176

This is an awesome link (and information not available on MCPS's website).

[Anonymous]

How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

IQ.

And yes, for a list of schools slated for private placement, look at MANSEF's website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

Most kids not on the diploma track are in self contained classes and do ESY to avoid loss of basic life skills like toileting over the summer. If your child can read, write, and do math, they aren't likely on certificate track. They might take 1-2 extra years to graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

From the MCPS website:

Maryland High School Certificate
This certificate is awarded to students with disabilities who do not meet the requirements for a diploma but who meet one of the following criteria:
1. The student is enrolled in a special education program for at least four years beyond Grade 8, or its age equivalent. The student is determined to have developed appropriate skills for the individual to enter the world of work, act responsibly as a citizen, and enjoy a fulfilling life by an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Team, with agreement of the student’s parents/guardians. The world of work includes, but is not limited to, gainful employment, work activity centers, supported employment, or sheltered workshops.
2. After being enrolled in a special education program for four years beyond Grade 8, or its age equivalent, the student reached age 21.

Private placements are rare, but not unheard of. Typically the child has to require more support than the county can provide, often due to injurious (to self or others) behaviors and intensity of support needed. The last student I knew that was placed privately was jumping out of windows at his home and the staff had to wear special jackets to work with him to prevent him from clawing their arms and torsos. The staff adored him and he could be so sweet, but the intensity of his behaviors was beyond what could be handled in a school setting with the other children.

[Anonymous]

Don't be ridiculous kids get placed at kts or ivymount all the time and not for jumping out of windows

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

IQ.

And yes, for a list of schools slated for private placement, look at MANSEF's website.

Diploma vs. certificate has nothing to do with IQ, or rarely so, since most kids don't have their IQ tested. It has to do with which program the child is in and how far below grade level he/she is in especially toward the end of 4th/5th grade. That's when crucial decisions are made. Moreover, being in certificate track entitles children to stay in MCPS until age 21 and have services there, which is actually important for many families of kids with severe special needs who won't be transitioning to college or the workplace.

Private placement is only arranged when MCPS cannot provide the least restrictive environment for your child -- when they have failed. You cannot from outside the county demand private placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

Most kids not on the diploma track are in self contained classes and do ESY to avoid loss of basic life skills like toileting over the summer. If your child can read, write, and do math, they aren't likely on certificate track. They might take 1-2 extra years to graduate.

Again, total bullshit. Why do people speak out of their asses like this?

ESY has nothing to do with toileting skills and most kids on certificate track are toilet trained and so are those in ESY. And, many kids on certificate track can read, write, and do math.

And you don't take a couple of extra years to graduate on certificate track. That's not how it works.

Please just shut up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is it decided that a child is on a diploma track vs a ''certificate'' track?

Also, are private placements ever done? I imagine very rarely, given these various options, and only in cases where they have messed up?

From the MCPS website:

Maryland High School Certificate
This certificate is awarded to students with disabilities who do not meet the requirements for a diploma but who meet one of the following criteria:
1. The student is enrolled in a special education program for at least four years beyond Grade 8, or its age equivalent. The student is determined to have developed appropriate skills for the individual to enter the world of work, act responsibly as a citizen, and enjoy a fulfilling life by an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Team, with agreement of the student’s parents/guardians. The world of work includes, but is not limited to, gainful employment, work activity centers, supported employment, or sheltered workshops.
2. After being enrolled in a special education program for four years beyond Grade 8, or its age equivalent, the student reached age 21.

Private placements are rare, but not unheard of. Typically the child has to require more support than the county can provide, often due to injurious (to self or others) behaviors and intensity of support needed. The last student I knew that was placed privately was jumping out of windows at his home and the staff had to wear special jackets to work with him to prevent him from clawing their arms and torsos. The staff adored him and he could be so sweet, but the intensity of his behaviors was beyond what could be handled in a school setting with the other children.

This is ridiculous. Most private placements won't consider kids with severe behavioral issues. Private placement is considered when the county cannot assist your child in accessing the curriculum. There are a population of kids with severe and complex special needs who MCPS is not equipped to help. Severe communication issues; communication in tandem with physical disabilities that require a high degree of technological support; severe physical disabilities that affect access to the curriculum; socio-emotional disabilities. Private placement must be considered when the county cannot meet a child's needs in any of its schools, especially in Middle Schools in MCPS, which are a one-sized-fits-all mess for special needs kids.

[Anonymous]

Burning tree has a learning center. Tilden has an autism middle school program. Pyle has a facilitated communication program but their teacher just left and I know nothing about the new one. A friend had to sue to get private placement. Not easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burning tree has a learning center. Tilden has an autism middle school program. Pyle has a facilitated communication program but their teacher just left and I know nothing about the new one. A friend had to sue to get private placement. Not easy.

There are many other ways in which the link is outdated. The AAC programs now only run through Second Grade. There are facilitated communication programs for autism but they are hush-hush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burning tree has a learning center. Tilden has an autism middle school program. Pyle has a facilitated communication program but their teacher just left and I know nothing about the new one. A friend had to sue to get private placement. Not easy.

There are many other ways in which the link is outdated. The AAC programs now only run through Second Grade. There are facilitated communication programs for autism but they are hush-hush.

Another reason why MCPS really sucks. It is near impossible to find anything online about programs.

[Anonymous]

Why are crucial decisions about diploma vs certificate made in fifth 4th/5th grade? Why is that the point in which it is decided that a kid will stay in the county services til 21? Or won't get a diploma?
?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be ridiculous kids get placed at kts or ivymount all the time and not for jumping out of windows

MCPS will generally try one of its own programs before sending a kid to kts or ivymount. You are right that the behavior doesn't have to be as extreme as jumping out the window, but basically the child has to be completely failing to meet IEP goals in MCPS. There have been cases of direct placement into private school, but since the cost is so much higher, MCPS is reluctant to do it.