need advice on particular elementary schools in arlington or fairfax county

[Anonymous]

Our five-year-old DC is high-functioning autistic with some aural hypersensitivity, making crowded classrooms a difficulty.

We live in the district and have exhausted the legal avenues for getting his schooling/therapies paid for, so we're planning a move to Fairfax County or Arlington.

We would appreciate any feedback on these two school systems (I have already searched through what posts I could find here).

Even better, if people have specific elementary schools to recommend in either school district, that would help us narrow things down - it's looking bewildering at the moment.

Or other sources to find info.

Or names of educational consultants specializing in those districts.

Thanks very much in advance.

-Exhausted in NW

[Anonymous]

I have a neighbor who moved from my neighborhood in Arlington to Montgomery County because she thought the services were better and i think because health insurance in MD is required to cover more services related to this.

I could be wrong though

[Anonymous]

I've heard Fairfax is better than Arlington (beyond preschool age). This I've heard from several ABA therapists in the area.

[Anonymous]

Md and Va have NOT passed mandatory insurance coverage yet.

[Anonymous]

I would think Fairfax is better just because of the sheer size. I actually teach in Fairfax and live in Arlington, and while the Arlington schools are great, there is no way they can offer the variety of programs or support Fairfax does. Can't speak to any specific schools, though - sorry!

[Anonymous]

I have also heard that Fairfax is great for disabled kids - the county is huge, wealthy, and committed to their schools. Arlington's probably quite good, too.

[Anonymous]

Are you familiar with Foundations for Families? I know the Executive Director personnally -- Amy Augenblick -- and she is extremely knowledgable and kind. I have no idea how much they charge, but it seems like an excellent source of exactly the kind of information you are seeking.

Their web site is www.foundationsforfamilies.com. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Please look at Stratford Landing ES in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

This is the original poster - thank you all for the information, particularly the Foundations for Families link.

4/6 poster, can you give any more info about your experiences with Stratford Landing ES? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is OP - I'll bump this up one time to see if anyone has any more advice.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax is definitely better than Arlington. The parents of kids with autism are very well organized, speak at board meetings all the time, and get a lot of attention & funding.