Fairfax Co. AAP program and SN's

[Anonymous]

My son received an invitation to our local AAP center for 3rd grade. He is a very bright boy, but also has an IEP for autism/ADHD. He learns quickly and is academically curious, but his poor executive functioning makes organization and motivation a real challenge. He is definitely "gifted" in many ways, but he does not fit my idea of a good student. He has an amazing memory and seems to absorb facts and details like a sponge. He asks "Why?" about everything and is like a walking/talking encyclopedia. However, getting him to complete his homework is a huge struggle and he lacks internal motivation to complete assignments.

I would love to hear from parents of similar kids in AAP. Is AAP a better "fit" than your base school was?

[Anonymous]

My son is in 5th grade at the center. He has ADHD. Actually, I have found that most of the teachers and counselors at the center have a better understanding of 2E kids than the teachers at his base school. Make sure your IEP includes accommodations for reduction assignments, i.e. only required to do every other math problem, and extended time for writing, etc. But it's been my experience that the center is still the right place for my son, even though he struggles with executive function, particularly organization and concentration.

[Anonymous]

Your son is the child AAP (then GT) was designed for.

You will still need to support and encourage him, of course, but his internal motivation will improve when his homework assignments are appropriately challenging. He will also find more of his "people" there and the teachers will understand how he learns. I saw lots of kids like your son in my child's AAP class and the program was a good fit for them.

I think if you choose to give the program a try, you will be pleased with the atmosphere and your child's resulting progress.

[Anonymous]

You may want to post your question to the FCAG Yahoo group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fcag/

There are lots of parents there with similar experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your son is the child AAP (then GT) was designed for.

You will still need to support and encourage him, of course, but his internal motivation will improve when his homework assignments are appropriately challenging. He will also find more of his "people" there and the teachers will understand how he learns. I saw lots of kids like your son in my child's AAP class and the program was a good fit for them.

I think if you choose to give the program a try, you will be pleased with the atmosphere and your child's resulting progress.

This poster above does not have a child with your issues. See only saw children 'like yours' in her childs class. So that means once in a while. It is not the same as living with that child and having to deal daily with the assignments and work load. My DC does not have ADHD and is at a center, but he does lack internal motivation. unlike the PP's idea above - more 'appropriately challenging homework assignments' haven't turned on his internal motivation.

DC has a very high IQ and the center is the right place for him academically, but it has not changed his personality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son is the child AAP (then GT) was designed for.

You will still need to support and encourage him, of course, but his internal motivation will improve when his homework assignments are appropriately challenging. He will also find more of his "people" there and the teachers will understand how he learns. I saw lots of kids like your son in my child's AAP class and the program was a good fit for them.

I think if you choose to give the program a try, you will be pleased with the atmosphere and your child's resulting progress.

This poster above does not have a child with your issues. See only saw children 'like yours' in her childs class. So that means once in a while. It is not the same as living with that child and having to deal daily with the assignments and work load. My DC does not have ADHD and is at a center, but he does lack internal motivation. unlike the PP's idea above - more 'appropriately challenging homework assignments' haven't turned on his internal motivation.

DC has a very high IQ and the center is the right place for him academically, but it has not changed his personality.

You're right, I should have said that his internal motivation *might* improve. My child does not have these issues, but I have a family member who does who lived in an area without a program such as AAP, and things did not go well in school for that person. On the other hand, a neighbor boy with similar issues was a good fit for AAP and is now in high school taking AP courses and doing quite well. True enough that every child is different and what works for one may not work for another.
Good luck to both of you.