Fairfax County's PAC Program

[Anonymous]

My three year old is currently in Fairfax County's Childfind program. He was diagnosed with autism in November, when I inquired about transferring him to the PAC his teacher said it would be too restrictive an environment for him. I've been trying to find him private ABA therapy and discovering that our insurance doesn't cover it. I emailed to ask again about transferring him to the PAC program and she's side stepping me. I know she has quite a bit more experience having taught kids and I'm trying to respect her point of view. However my son needs more help, something more intensive than ChildFind. What can I do at this point? She says transferring him is a decision of the IEP team at the school. Does anyone have experience with their kids in the PAC program and can tell me about it?

[Anonymous]

My now HFA 11 year old 6 grade son started in PAC when he was 2 years old. I'm not sure how it is now, but back them it was an excellent program. Though the transition to kindergarten was difficult, but with wonderful teachers my son has been able to make great progress. Now as a 6 grader he is in the gen ed class all day with some assistance in class. Gets pull out for reading and writing. FCPS is a big school district, so I know experiences will vary. You are the mom and you know what is best for your child. If you feel your child should be in PAC, then you advocate for you child and make it happen. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I think I'll ask to visit the program, I don't understand why it wouldn't be an appropriate environment for my son.

[Anonymous]

PAC was great for my son, who is now 8 and in 3rd grade. He progressed quickly due to the small class size and intensive instruction. He was in PAC appx. 1 year and then moved to a slightly larger non-cat class.

He was placed in a mainstream class for kindergarten, with pull-outs for small-group instruction. By second grade, he wasn't getting pulled out at all, although he was lucky to have a great general-ed teacher with a background in special education who was very patient and knew how to work with him.

In 3rd grade, he was placed in an Advanced Academic Center based on standardized test scores and GBRS and is getting minimal special education support - just a few minutes at the beginning and end of each school day to help with organization. (To be honest, I think he really needs a lot more special education help than he's currently getting, although he's a very bright kid. He's acting up more in class and I think he would benefit from a smaller class size and more individual attention.)

If I were you, I would try for either PAC or a non-cat preschool classroom. FCPS preschool was wonderful. I credit his preschool teachers with preparing him so well for elementary school.

I just wish that FCPS would provide better programs for twice-exceptional kids. My son is bright enough to follow the AAP curriculum but he needs a small class size and more teacher support, with social skills and behavioral therapy.

Push, push, push for what you think your child needs. When my son entered PAC, we were given a lot of services but I think that was just the luck of our timing. I think it's a lot harder to get special ed. services now, and I'm seeing that at the elementary level.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry but I'm not sure here your DS currently goes to school. Is it one of the special ed preschools? What services is he receiving from Child Find? FWIW, my DS was in a non-categorical classroom. When he started, he had a lot of typical ASD behaviors but ASD had been ruled out by dev ped and NIH team. The non-cat was a very good fit for him but we also weren't looking for ABA.

[Anonymous]

My son is in the preschool program at Centre Ridge. He goes five days a week, half days in the morning. There is an PT that comes out to work with the class, but that's about it. He gets private OT once a week, then I've been looking into ABA.

[Anonymous]

If he has an autism diagnosis, then I would push for PAC.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the clarification. I looked at Centre Ridge's profile and see that they have a Head Start program but not a Preschool Special Ed program. Is that correct? If so, I'd definitely argue that he's in the wrong program. He may not need to be in a PAC but I don't see how a Head Start classroom could be meeting his needs. How long has your DS had an IEP? Was it developed before or after his ASD diagnosis? What needs do you think he has that are not being addressed? You need to think about that and be able to articulate what those needs are. Only after that can you look at placement and if his current school is appropriate. If you continue to get resistance or less than adequate explanations or you just feel like it could be better, you might consider working with a consultant/advocate.

[Anonymous]

The preschool program is relatively new so the website may not be updated. We haven't put together an updated IEP since his diagnosis, I believe we're going to meet in the next few weeks to talk about things. I'd like to give the ABA therapy a try, I'm always reading about how it helps kids make significant improvements. We can't afford a whole lot, and since the PAC program provides ABA I'd like to get him in there. I've also inquired about visiting the PAC program to see for myself and determine if it's appropriate for my son.

[Anonymous]

My son is in PAC and he had private ABA previously before going into PAC.

His private ABA therapist was good: let's say silver.

The PAC ABA is phenomenal! I was always in the private ABA sessions and I observed multiple days at this PAC preschool.

PAC ABA is gold!

[Anonymous]

ABA can be very effective but to echo something a PP said, you need to first identify what your DS's needs are. You can't talk about improvements until you first talk about deficits. I haven't seen anything in your posts regarding his challenges. The IEP team won't (and shouldn't) discuss his placement until first having thoroughly discussed strengths/weaknesses and goals. That would be 'pre-determination' which is verboten!

[Anonymous]

Visit the program. Every school's PAC is different and has all kinds of kids. In my DS school, PAC was full of non-verbal kids and the IEP team felt it was not a good environment for him as he was a good talker and they wanted him to be among similar developing peers. My son is ASD but his needs are primarily in the social/emotional behavior area.

However, my friend's son goes to PAC in another school and it was full of talking children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in PAC and he had private ABA previously before going into PAC.

His private ABA therapist was good: let's say silver.

The PAC ABA is phenomenal! I was always in the private ABA sessions and I observed multiple days at this PAC preschool.

PAC ABA is gold!

You are lucky to get a good PAC teacher. Some teachers are motivated to work, some are not.
We have better luck with Private ABA than PAC.

[Anonymous]

Any special ed. placement is based on the goals and objectives in the IEP, not the diagnosis or eligibilty label. In my experience (as an FCPS sped teacher) he PAC program is intended to serve kids who have the most significant needs in communication and behavior. These kids are typically on the most severe end of the Autism spectrum, and their IEPs reflect that.

It really depends on your child's individual needs. There are many kids with autism eligibilities in the non-categorical preschool programs (half-day) who need the support of specialized early intervention but who do not require such intensive ABA type programming in a full-day program.