Disabilities and Public School?

[Anonymous]

What programs/facilities are there in the public school system for students with disabilities? I am just starting the process of learning about options to help my niece - she lives in another country, and from what I can tell she has Down syndrome or something close to it. She is US citizen (her mother went to grad school here) but has never gone to school here, and she is about 12. Her family is exploring options for her, like where to buy a house, what school to choose etc. They are looking to my husband and I to guide them and I am pretty much clueless right now.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Well if they are looking to you for guidance, you should probably know what her exact disability is and the extent of it,as well as what she needs help with. No one school is the best for any and all disabilities and it is dependent on what accommodations the child needs

[Anonymous]

And where are you looking? You need to find out what her disabilities are and how she functions in school where she is now. Her mother/father can email the special ed dept of MCPS and be in touch that way.

[Anonymous]

OP you may want to look at Fairfax as they have a better reputation for dealing with special education kids.

[Anonymous]

Post on the Special Needs Forum. You will get much better answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you may want to look at Fairfax as they have a better reputation for dealing with special education kids.

Please post your evidence. This seems like a pretty absurd statement.

[Anonymous]

Whitman has an LFI program that has children with downs and other disabilities from ages 14-21. I believe there are similar programs at other county schools. Whitman's may draw from a wider geographic boundary than just the cluster. They need to contact the school system for info on services and programs.