First grade son with behavioral challenges -- looking for school in northern Virginia/DC/Maryland

[Anonymous]

get an iep and if they can't accommodate have the public school pay for a private school

[Anonymous]

Burke has an elementary public day program along with a middle school. I would not recommend it. Your best bet is a school in FCPS with a CSS program. I believe the one nearest Franklin Sherman is at Armstrong. You need to send the current IEP to the special education department at FCPS and consult with them.

[Anonymous]

Normally I'd say the actual diagnosis is sometimes less important than the interventions, but in this case it seems like a diagnosis would be really helpful.

Specifically, is the physical aggression part of the diagnosis, or is it a symptom of a bad school fit? Some private schools will understand the latter, and work with you to figure out your child's triggers.

If the aggression is actually part of the diagnosis, though, that's going to make your search harder but at least you'll know what to look for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are at FCPS try to get into a CSS (comprehensive services site). We did this and it was a game changer. If the needs are higher need then you can look at Burke. Many parents don't want to do this but these programs really help kids with behaviors immensely.

Burke doesn't have an elementary school. I'm at a complete loss for why people on this listserv recommend schools that they know nothing about.

Actually they started the elementary school when my son was there. I am not talking about Edmund Burke but Burke School which is part of FCPS.

[Anonymous]

susanj wrote:Thank you all for your comments and recommendations. I really appreciate it because we have been struggling for years. Someone asked what the two "e"s were when he was diagnosed as "Twice Exceptional." The psychologist said he was: (1) on the spectrum, but just barely . . . like an Aspergers I guess; and (2) Extremely high intelligence. We have started new medication to see if that helps. If any of you have success stories of making it through a hard time, please share too because I currently feel like it will take a miracle to improve things. Our son has a developmental delay (for sure) and still acts like a 4 year old......but he's 7. So, in public, when he acts out, or in the classroom when he acts out, it is just awful. He IS getting better, but the progress feels so slow and incremental. Has anyone else gone through this and does it get better?

Are you getting behavioral therapy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can a private speech therapist or occupational therapist using the social thinking or zones of regulation program come to his school to work with staff and your child? The public schools can also set up a service plan IEP to help his private school team if you keep him in private school. You would have to have him evaluated and see if he qualifies for special education through the Fairfax public schools.

social thinking/zones of regulation are garbage. he needs and FBA and a BIP, and possibly a classroom staffed by a BCBA.

[Anonymous]

Nothing aggravated me after 15 years of reading this forum more than neuropsychs and therapists who send people on wild goose chases for school they KNOW DO NOT EXIST. Why do they do this?

[Anonymous]

Is the medication something like Prozac?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are at FCPS try to get into a CSS (comprehensive services site). We did this and it was a game changer. If the needs are higher need then you can look at Burke. Many parents don't want to do this but these programs really help kids with behaviors immensely.

Burke doesn't have an elementary school. I'm at a complete loss for why people on this listserv recommend schools that they know nothing about.

this says Burke has elementary: https://burkeschool.fcps.edu/about

Burke is the worst school in FCPS. Their teachers are in crisis mode. Avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing aggravated me after 15 years of reading this forum more than neuropsychs and therapists who send people on wild goose chases for school they KNOW DO NOT EXIST. Why do they do this?

right??!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing aggravated me after 15 years of reading this forum more than neuropsychs and therapists who send people on wild goose chases for school they KNOW DO NOT EXIST. Why do they do this?

right??!

Amen. I have seen this over and over. Even the "best" NP reports send parents off to find the gold at the end of the rainbow. WHY do they do this!?!?

[Anonymous]

OP, does your child get any 1:1 private services? ST, OT, play therapy? Look into Katherine Thomas school and programs at Ivymont, also Diener and Auburn. All are expensive unfortunately.

You have a complicated profile child, publics can talk a good talk but finding a truly good setting is challenging. The more you stay in public, the more your child will be labelled with aggression, etc. It's a downward spiral, until you can get a fitting placement. IEP is not a magic trick, you would still need to supplement services and stay very much on top of things.

[Anonymous]

This is not conveniently located for you in the slightest, but Harbour School in Annapolis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can a private speech therapist or occupational therapist using the social thinking or zones of regulation program come to his school to work with staff and your child? The public schools can also set up a service plan IEP to help his private school team if you keep him in private school. You would have to have him evaluated and see if he qualifies for special education through the Fairfax public schools.

social thinking/zones of regulation are garbage. he needs and FBA and a BIP, and possibly a classroom staffed by a BCBA.

Social Thinking and Zones of Regulation are NOT garbage. My autistic child gained so many skills through these programs. Through private OT/ST and through an integrated curriculum at her previous private school placement where the teachers used ST/ZoR throughout the day. Total game changer! The school also had a BCBA on staff who used these methodologies. Our entire family learned how to model and facilitate self-regulation to provide continuity of support at home. It was empowering for our child, who has made enormous strides by accessing the tools.

I highly recommend connecting with a neuropsych and/or a developmental pediatrician to do a full assessment and provide recommendations. Understanding the "why" behind the behaviors is critical. It will help inform the FBA and BIP if you go that route. A BIP must make a good match between the behaviors and the strategies to address them. And a BCBA who is trained in the specific strategies is essential. Surround your kid with a team that "gets" them and is familiar with the full range of positive pro-social supports. Don't let anyone make you think your kid is trying to misbehave or a problem they are stuck with. All Behavior Communicates! It's up to everyone on the team to get to know them and help them thrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing aggravated me after 15 years of reading this forum more than neuropsychs and therapists who send people on wild goose chases for school they KNOW DO NOT EXIST. Why do they do this?

right??!

Amen. I have seen this over and over. Even the "best" NP reports send parents off to find the gold at the end of the rainbow. WHY do they do this!?!?

Because they SHOULD exist. We need to push the schools in our area to meet the need, which is enormous.