Best Public School for kid with Sensory Processing challenges and possibly High Functioning Asperger

[Anonymous]

We will be moving to the DC Metro area soon. Our Daughter is 7, and has been in OT for over a year for Sensory Processing challenges, and we (ourselves, teachers, doctor) suspect she may be on the Autism spectrum as well. She is very bright, but struggles socially and with behavior in our current school setting. We hope the move to the Metro area will be able to allow her for more support and services. We are very open to where we can move in the area. What schools/districts are best for supporting special needs? We would love to hear your feedback.

[Anonymous]

I think the best elementary in this circumstance might well be Bethesda Elementary, but the middle school it feeds to (Westland) is very big and crowded, and might not be a good fit. The Asperger's program at Tilden is well thought of. I might choose an ES that feeds to Tilden so that my child could benefit from that program and still move on with friends.

[Anonymous]

Where will you be working and what is your budget? Are you thinking of MD or VA?

[Anonymous]

We have lived in Maryland before, but not with school aged kids. We are open to VA or MD - and will be renting for at least the first year. The commute for work will be to Farragut. Our biggest concern is to have teachers/admin who understand SPD. Thank you so much for your input.

[Anonymous]

What's your rental budget and how much space do you need?

[Anonymous]

Our budget will be around $3000 / month. We need 2 bedrooms, but living space does not need to be large.

[Anonymous]

Find a school that feeds into Tilden Middle School. I hear good things about Luxmanor and Farmland.

[Anonymous]

Pp here, also while it is a different cluster, I think Bells Mill elmentary is supposed to have a strong ASD program.

[Anonymous]

There are at least two elementary schools with Aspergers Programs. You don't have to live in their catchment to have your child attend. I think the advice to live near Tilden is good, so if she doesn't qualify, she will still be in a school with extra support and can be in supported classes if needed. This means she will be in her school community in middle school and high school. This gives the option to try a local elementary in the Tilden MS catchment and if her needs are too great you can request placement in an AS Program school. The program is mainstreamed for part of the day but has some separate classes where attention is usually needed more. The AS program staff know the kids are bright and are able to offer support in that context. AS symptoms can emerge stronger as kids get closer to 8 and 9 when organizational and social demands increase so it's wise to be thinking ahead as you are. The good news is as they mature into adolescents sometimes, not always, the challenges become more manageable as their nervous systems mature and the kids learn to advocate for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all so much for your advice. It is very helpful, and I really appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

FCPS but be prepared to fight for an IEP. If you can get the autism/asperger diagnosis you should be OK but you will have to fight.

[Anonymous]

If OP does not have an autism diagnosis, she will not be able to get her child into the Aspergers program. That ws my understanding. But for people who have been through it, can you confirm that?

OP, if you suspect that your child has ASD, I strongly recommend that you get the diagnosis so you can get the needed services. I am not sure what SPD will get you into one of the Aspergers programs in the county.

Also, do you already have an IEp in place from where you are moving from? This will be helpful.

[Anonymous]

OP here: We are moving from overseas. We will be working at getting her evaluated as soon as we move back. Unfortunately, there is nobody in our current country of residence who does evaluations for Autism. We did have her evaluated for Sensory Processing Disorder, and she has been receiving occupational therapy for that for over a year with a great occupational therapist. The school she was attending here does not do IEPs, but we did have several meetings where we discussed her strengths, challenges, etc., and involved her Occupational Therapist in the last meeting we had. We have notes from the meetings, and the recommendations from her OT of how to accommodate her better in the classroom, but no official IEP. I am trying to get a student evaluation from the school counselor here before we leave, as well as her pediatrician. I know she won't be able to qualify for most programs with SPD only, but really want to land somewhere in a school zone that will be welcoming to special needs. Thank you again to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda elementary has the best inclusion program for kids with special needs, ie they are mainstreamed with all the kids. If they think she needs more they will probably tell you. It may be worth waiting to see how she does in school. That info is important for an evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: We are moving from overseas. We will be working at getting her evaluated as soon as we move back. Unfortunately, there is nobody in our current country of residence who does evaluations for Autism. We did have her evaluated for Sensory Processing Disorder, and she has been receiving occupational therapy for that for over a year with a great occupational therapist. The school she was attending here does not do IEPs, but we did have several meetings where we discussed her strengths, challenges, etc., and involved her Occupational Therapist in the last meeting we had. We have notes from the meetings, and the recommendations from her OT of how to accommodate her better in the classroom, but no official IEP. I am trying to get a student evaluation from the school counselor here before we leave, as well as her pediatrician. I know she won't be able to qualify for most programs with SPD only, but really want to land somewhere in a school zone that will be welcoming to special needs. Thank you again to everyone.

OP you can't fly back to have her evaluated now, right? For FCPS, you really need to be on the spectrum for the IEP and it takes a long time to get, plus the war with the district to get it. If you can't do that, then ASAP when you land here in VA or Bethesda, get her tested (lots of people will post testers here if you ask) and engage the public school immediately so they can start their own testing. be prepared because it will take some time. Of course bring all your paperwork to both sets of testers. You will want to have outside, independent testing done as well as letting the school district do their own. Best of luck!