Changing school for middle schooler with high functioning autism

[Khamy]

Anonymous wrote:Please be careful about sharing so much identifying information. If my child went to your child's school it would be quite easy to identify you.

Hi,

I don't think I could be identified. Anyway that's not a problem for me. I need help but thanks for your warning.

[Khamy]

Anonymous wrote:I know you are new to the system, so wanted to spell something out in case it was unclear from the other answers:

Just being at Tilden may not be enough. You would want placement into the actual program there. For that, you would need to work with the team at your home school (JW) to make a case for why your child's current placement is not working, and what specific interventions are offered at Tilden that are not offered at JW.

Does that make sense?

Yes I didn't know. I'm glad I reached you. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that there are many more kids with HFA/Asperger's diagnoses than there are spots in the Asperger's program.

This means that the spots that DO exist are reserved for kids whose current placement is not working and who need the specific accommodations or interventions offered. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but rather to clarify that it isn't enough to have a diagnosis.

I apologize if any of this sounds reductive or condescending. I know how hard it is to navigate a new system so wanted to try to break if down as much as possible.

[Khamy]

You will likely need to show that your child's needs are not being met at JW. I would keep a folder of projects and a record of any concerns you have. The goal is the least restrictive environment. If your child is succeeded at his home school, they will not want to move him (and succeeding only means accessing the curriculum not that he is getting high grades)

Ok I see. I hope they'll be supportive.

Thanks.

[Khamy]

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind that there are many more kids with HFA/Asperger's diagnoses than there are spots in the Asperger's program.

This means that the spots that DO exist are reserved for kids whose current placement is not working and who need the specific accommodations or interventions offered. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but rather to clarify that it isn't enough to have a diagnosis.

I apologize if any of this sounds reductive or condescending. I know how hard it is to navigate a new system so wanted to try to break if down as much as possible.

No I understand. It might be harder than I thought but I'll do my best for my kid.

Thanks.

[Khamy]

My child is in 6th grade. He should be in 7th grade but he re made a class when we moved to US from UK because we didn't have his school report.

In his last map tests in maths and in english he has a 5th grade level. He didn't improve since he's in middle school.

In elementary school he was almost on level.

He definately needs a specific program or he will be far behind.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from Julius West. In my opinion the school is a bit overwhelmed right now by over population, managing the ED program, and changes in the leadership team. I don't think your kid would get a lot of specialized attention other than having a para educator in the room.

[Khamy]

Anonymous wrote:Stay away from Julius West. In my opinion the school is a bit overwhelmed right now by over population, managing the ED program, and changes in the leadership team. I don't think your kid would get a lot of specialized attention other than having a para educator in the room.

He has speech and language sessions + an extra teacher in maths but it's not enough.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should come to the XMinds event next week, you will learn exactly what you need to know. Conveniently it will be at JW.

https://xminds.org/event-3282626

Administrators from the MCPS offices related to Autism come and present. There are also lots of other parents with first hand experience.

Honestly, I never go. They charge a lot.

I've attended this event in the past and there was no charge. OP, please check the registration.

[Anonymous]

OP,

As others have stated, it's not enough to just be "at" Tilden or WJ or other. Instead, via your IEP team (and then a Central IEP meeting), it would need to be agreed to that your child needs a change in placement from the home school and into a program at one of the other schools, to meet his needs under the federal access law.

It's never too early to start the process, so reach out and schedule a tour, and then seek and IEP meeting to discuss placement. I am the pp above who attend the annual xminds event in conjunction with MCPS. It was helpful for me.

[Khamy]

Anonymous wrote:You should come to the XMinds event next week, you will learn exactly what you need to know. Conveniently it will be at JW.

https://xminds.org/event-3282626

Administrators from the MCPS offices related to Autism come and present. There are also lots of other parents with first hand experience.

Thanks I plan to come.

Can I attend all sessions? Because in the registration I need to tick one session topic.

[Khamy]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

As others have stated, it's not enough to just be "at" Tilden or WJ or other. Instead, via your IEP team (and then a Central IEP meeting), it would need to be agreed to that your child needs a change in placement from the home school and into a program at one of the other schools, to meet his needs under the federal access law.

It's never too early to start the process, so reach out and schedule a tour, and then seek and IEP meeting to discuss placement. I am the pp above who attend the annual xminds event in conjunction with MCPS. It was helpful for me.

Yes I'm starting the process.

I have an appointment with the middle school aspergers program manager.

[Anonymous]

Khamy wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a first step, you may want to request a tour of the Aspergers program at Tilden. It is for students who have struggled with regular placement and need more help. There’s a wide range of abilities among students with Aspergers and the Aspergers program may or may not be a good fit for your ds. You’ll probably find more people who are knowledgeable about it on the Kids with Special Needs board.

Yes you're right. I'll make a tour but I feel this program will be more appropriate for him.

He's struggling more and more academically and he's often in trouble with his peers and teachers because of his social interactions difficulties.

OP, your child should be able to perform at or above grade level for the Asperger's program. You could argue he's performing poorly because he hasn't had enough supports but has the ability to be at grade level. The part about him often being in trouble because of his social interaction difficulties sounds in line with the students I know at the Tilden program. I'm not sure they do social skills instruction but I've heard they are more understanding.

[Khamy]

Hi,

In the aspergers program they teach appropriate pragmatic and social skills as well as organizational and problem solving skills that will allow students to participate more independently in the general education program. These students have some of their classes in a small classroom setting and others in the general education program.

That's exactly what my child needs

Thanks for your support.

[Anonymous]

Khamy wrote:Hi,

In the aspergers program they teach appropriate pragmatic and social skills as well as organizational and problem solving skills that will allow students to participate more independently in the general education program. These students have some of their classes in a small classroom setting and others in the general education program.

That's exactly what my child needs

Thanks for your support.

There are a lot of posts about the ASD program at Tilden. I used to teach there (loved it) and strongly suggest that you read all the related posts here so you bring very specific questions to the tour. Please understand that it isn’t a great fit for every kid with Asperger’s. There are students who end up leaving mid year or at the end of the year.