9 year old with attachment disorder looking for public or private school that has knowledge

[Anonymous]

My child has has disorganized attachment disorder (adopted internationally at 7.5 months) looking for school who has experience with it. He really needs the appropriate approach and most schools are too behavioral in there approaches. Does anyone out there have a child with attachment disorder who is successful in an elementary public school placement? We are willing to relocate but live in Alexandria right now. Husband works in DC so would have to be able to commute. My son has been in ACPS since 1st and we need a change. He is now in third grade with an aide spending most of the day in the classroom with pull out for therapy and over stimulating environments. Has PTSD and SPD as well so looking for a school with an OT room and therapy that actually happens. We and his therapists believe he would best be served in a intergrated environment with social, emotional support. With smaller numbers, he could probably not need the aide. Would love a program with these things build into the curriculum. Can anyone provide any info or a miracle !? Any info would be great, even private school info. Thank You!

[Anonymous]

I would talk to an educational advocate, in your situation. GL.

[Anonymous]

If I didn't know better, I would think your son is in my child's ACPS class.

Anyway, attachment disorder is very real and needs to be addressed by you and your family with a trained therapist. Providing that info to a school is helpful but they can't and won't address it. Your child needs to be medicated. If he isn't, no amount of any therapy will ever be successful. He needs the medication to dial back his anxiety and impulsiveness so he can actually put into practice the lessons he learns in therapy. Your best best is to contact Dr. Federici.

Also, consider if your child might have FAE or FAS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I didn't know better, I would think your son is in my child's ACPS class.

Anyway, attachment disorder is very real and needs to be addressed by you and your family with a trained therapist. Providing that info to a school is helpful but they can't and won't address it. Your child needs to be medicated. If he isn't, no amount of any therapy will ever be successful. He needs the medication to dial back his anxiety and impulsiveness so he can actually put into practice the lessons he learns in therapy. Your best best is to contact Dr. Federici.

Also, consider if your child might have FAE or FAS.

OP, I'd be wary of this advice b/c the poster obviously thinks she knows who she's addressing. Medication decisions should happen between you and whoever's treating your son.

[Anonymous]

I'd contact the Frost and/or Lourie schools (both in MD) for suggestions of appropriate schools closer to you.

[Anonymous]

You have no idea what my family is or is not addressing and that is not the question I asked.

[Anonymous]

I'm 99% sure that no public FCPS elementary has an OT/sensory type therapy room (although I think lots of dc could benefit from there.)

Are there any psychologists who specialize in this kind of attachment disorder? They would have the inside info on the best school placement.

good luck---

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have no idea what my family is or is not addressing and that is not the question I asked.

Meh, international adoptees that fit the profile you listed are a dime a dozen. Your child isn't unique.

If you are in the DC area, as I said, Dr. Federici is your best bet. He deals with these kids all the time and can likely provide feedback on what school systems/school can and will provide and won't provide.

[Anonymous]

Is your child in an ED IEP now? I have heard good things about Marshall Road ES's program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have no idea what my family is or is not addressing and that is not the question I asked.

Meh, international adoptees that fit the profile you listed are a dime a dozen. Your child isn't unique.

If you are in the DC area, as I said, Dr. Federici is your best bet. He deals with these kids all the time and can likely provide feedback on what school systems/school can and will provide and won't provide.

Not the OP, but all our kids are unique, SN or not. Keep the snotty comments to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Agree. What's up with the cr*ppy attitude? As if we SN parents don't have enough grief and stress. OP-good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP,

The Newton School has a Saturday program:
http://www.thenewtonschool.org/program_after_school.html

There OT seems great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 99% sure that no public FCPS elementary has an OT/sensory type therapy room (although I think lots of dc could benefit from there.)

Are there any psychologists who specialize in this kind of attachment disorder? They would have the inside info on the best school placement.

good luck---

Um, FCPS sped teacher here, and yes--there are many schools in FCPS with an OT/Sensory room, primarily those with enhanced autism programs. I have worked with many kids who have the Attachment Disorder diagnosis, and several of them were adopted from Eastern Bloc countries.

Cheryl Wietz used to offer a lot of support in this area, working with families and providing staff development to teachers. I took some workshops from her years ago so don't even know if she is still in practice, but it's worth a try! She may now be in her own practice...

She used to work out of the Winter Hill Psychotherapy and Consultation Center in Falls Church--again, don't know if that still exists as it was over 10 years ago. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I didn't know better, I would think your son is in my child's ACPS class.

Anyway, attachment disorder is very real and needs to be addressed by you and your family with a trained therapist. Providing that info to a school is helpful but they can't and won't address it. Your child needs to be medicated. If he isn't, no amount of any therapy will ever be successful. He needs the medication to dial back his anxiety and impulsiveness so he can actually put into practice the lessons he learns in therapy. Your best best is to contact Dr. Federici.

Also, consider if your child might have FAE or FAS.

You need to be medicated.

[Anonymous]

The Laurie Center in Rockville, MD.