Does AAP center accept ADHD kids?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a bright ADHD 4th grader at a private school now. We are thinking to switch her to a AAP center. We have a few questions blow , we would really appreciate if you could give us any advice or share any experience with us.
1) Does AAP accept ADHD kid?
2) Does AAP accept 4th grader?
3) What kind of test is required to take?
4) When is the application deadline for this year?
5) The website where list the related information.

[Anonymous]

Yes AAP accepts ADHD kids. I know several ADHD kids in AAP.

Fourth graders are accepted.

Check out the website for 3 and 4 since I am unsure of the correct answers.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

[Anonymous]

Depends on the severity. Dr. Horn, the FCPs AAP program coordinator, has stated that "AAP and IEP don't mix" in a session on twice exceptional children at a FCPS-organized conference on special needs. That should tell you something about the attitudes.

She will have to take a battery of tests, both IQ and academics. If she focuses enough to do well, and if she has good teacher recommendations, than she might make it in. I would not volunteer the information if I were you, during the screening process.

Problem is, the program is actually well designed to hold the interest of kids with ADHD, but the admission process typically screens them out. Few ADHD kids can sit through the test, with their focus unbroken, for hours on end. Those kids who make it, do so usually because of a teacher who saw through their fog and cared enough to recommend them. And their ADHD was not complicated enough to interfere with either testing, or to require accommodations.

Think this through -- you probably have a deadline to re-enroll at your school, but make sure she can get in first.

[Anonymous]

My son, his friend, and others in the class are ADHD. One seems pretty severe (impulsive, very emotionally sensitive). The 3rd grade teacher mentioned last year that they are trained for and expect "extremes" among the brightest kids. I think different teachers vary on how well they handle ADHD kids, but to answer your question, AAP in our experience is the better place for ADHD kids compared to a regular classroom.

[Anonymous]

My DS (6th grade) has a 504 Plan and an IEP for ADHD (OHI) and he is doing well in the AAP Center school. We provided the psychologist's report (including WISC-IV testing) as parent supplemental information.

My DS did not have to sit through testing "for hours on end" (as described by PP 00:15) and his ADHD is "complicated" and requires accommodations.

I think each child is unique and a blanket "AAP and IEP don't mix" statement is erroneous.

You may wish to read about Twice Exceptional students. There is one article on the FCPS AAP website and I am sure an internet search would reveal more resources.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columntwicelearners.shtml

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity. Dr. Horn, the FCPs AAP program coordinator, has stated that "AAP and IEP don't mix" in a session on twice exceptional children at a FCPS-organized conference on special needs. That should tell you something about the attitudes.

She will have to take a battery of tests, both IQ and academics. If she focuses enough to do well, and if she has good teacher recommendations, than she might make it in. I would not volunteer the information if I were you, during the screening process.

Problem is, the program is actually well designed to hold the interest of kids with ADHD, but the admission process typically screens them out. Few ADHD kids can sit through the test, with their focus unbroken, for hours on end. Those kids who make it, do so usually because of a teacher who saw through their fog and cared enough to recommend them. And their ADHD was not complicated enough to interfere with either testing, or to require accommodations.

Think this through -- you probably have a deadline to re-enroll at your school, but make sure she can get in first.

That's a discrimination law suit ready to happen. Disgusting attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity. Dr. Horn, the FCPs AAP program coordinator, has stated that "AAP and IEP don't mix" in a session on twice exceptional children at a FCPS-organized conference on special needs. That should tell you something about the attitudes.

She will have to take a battery of tests, both IQ and academics. If she focuses enough to do well, and if she has good teacher recommendations, than she might make it in. I would not volunteer the information if I were you, during the screening process.

Problem is, the program is actually well designed to hold the interest of kids with ADHD, but the admission process typically screens them out. Few ADHD kids can sit through the test, with their focus unbroken, for hours on end. Those kids who make it, do so usually because of a teacher who saw through their fog and cared enough to recommend them. And their ADHD was not complicated enough to interfere with either testing, or to require accommodations.

Think this through -- you probably have a deadline to re-enroll at your school, but make sure she can get in first.

That's a discrimination law suit ready to happen. Disgusting attitude.

If it is true.

Given the vitriol towards AAP and Dr. Horn on this anonymous-posting site, I don't believe it.

[Anonymous]

This is a link to the conference materials by FCPS' Beth Baldwin (AAP staff) and Jeanette Thomas (Special Ed staff) where slides 14 and 15 note the use of both 504 plans and IEPs in delivery of AAP services.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/conference/2015/materials/Session%201/05_TwiceExceptionalStudentsSecondarySchool_Baldwin/TwiceExceptionalStudentsSecondarySchool_Baldwin.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS (6th grade) has a 504 Plan and an IEP for ADHD (OHI) and he is doing well in the AAP Center school. We provided the psychologist's report (including WISC-IV testing) as parent supplemental information.

My DS did not have to sit through testing "for hours on end" (as described by PP 00:15) and his ADHD is "complicated" and requires accommodations.

I think each child is unique and a blanket "AAP and IEP don't mix" statement is erroneous.

You may wish to read about Twice Exceptional students. There is one article on the FCPS AAP website and I am sure an internet search would reveal more resources.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columntwicelearners.shtml

I realize this is derailing the thread, but was your son earning poor grades prior to getting his IEP. My daughter is ADHD also, but the principal says that since she makes A's & B's she won't qualify for a 504 or IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS (6th grade) has a 504 Plan and an IEP for ADHD (OHI) and he is doing well in the AAP Center school. We provided the psychologist's report (including WISC-IV testing) as parent supplemental information.

My DS did not have to sit through testing "for hours on end" (as described by PP 00:15) and his ADHD is "complicated" and requires accommodations.

I think each child is unique and a blanket "AAP and IEP don't mix" statement is erroneous.

You may wish to read about Twice Exceptional students. There is one article on the FCPS AAP website and I am sure an internet search would reveal more resources.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columntwicelearners.shtml

I realize this is derailing the thread, but was your son earning poor grades prior to getting his IEP. My daughter is ADHD also, but the principal says that since she makes A's & B's she won't qualify for a 504 or IEP.

My son was not earning poor grades except for those citizenship categories (getting along with others, following directions, etc.) where he scored 2s. We had a private evaluation done (through Children's) and were finally able to get an IEP based on OHI. The entire process on the IEP side took about 6 months, spanning the latter part of 1st grade and into 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

My child was in the AAP elementary program a few years ago, and at that time there were plenty of ADD and ADHD kids in the class. Enough that I sometimes thought that most of the boys were 2E. A lot of gifted kids have some LD or another; it is very common.

[Anonymous]

Both my AAP kids (MS & ES) had no problem getting no 504s for demonstrated ADHD-- despite having strong grades (mostly 4s or As) at the time the plans were put in place. I know AAP kids on IEPs too, but they did have to show academic impact. Both kids' Centers were having been amazing to work with, and have a strong grasp on the needs of 2e learners. We got zero pushback on getting appropriate plans, and the schools have fully complied. And certainly no one is taking about taking the 504s away, despite them both having outstanding grades. If you have a possibly AAP qualified ADHD kid, do not hesitate to apply. And be honest about what your kid needs to succeed academically. The schools are obligated to apply it, and gifted teachers and counsellors understand that ADHD goes ah d in hand with gifted learners. There may be some lemons out there, but I also think there are some anti-AAP parents, or people who just don't know what they are talking about fear offering. FCPS is very well equipped to deal with AAP/ ADHD, and usually does a nice job.

[Anonymous]

^^ fear mothering. And other iPhone typos. But you get the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS (6th grade) has a 504 Plan and an IEP for ADHD (OHI) and he is doing well in the AAP Center school. We provided the psychologist's report (including WISC-IV testing) as parent supplemental information.

My DS did not have to sit through testing "for hours on end" (as described by PP 00:15) and his ADHD is "complicated" and requires accommodations.

I think each child is unique and a blanket "AAP and IEP don't mix" statement is erroneous.

You may wish to read about Twice Exceptional students. There is one article on the FCPS AAP website and I am sure an internet search would reveal more resources.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columntwicelearners.shtml

I realize this is derailing the thread, but was your son earning poor grades prior to getting his IEP. My daughter is ADHD also, but the principal says that since she makes A's & B's she won't qualify for a 504 or IEP.

There are many kids with 504 plans who do really well academically. Some need accommodations like sitting in the front of the room, sitting at a table by themselves, taking tests in small group settings, or getting extra breaks when taking long tests. Many kids with ADHD with good grades get accommodations like those. Does your child's teacher think your DD would benefit from this? If your child has an official diagnosis of ADHD, get your doctor to write a note saying your child has ADHD and would benefit from xyz accommodations, then officially request a 504 determination meeting. I would find it hard to believe that under those circumstances the principal can just deny the 504 plan. Once you make an official request, there are rules and timelines that the school has to adhere to. If you just have an informal information chat with the principal, I don't think that starts the official clock/process so she/he can probably just tell you her/his personal feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS (6th grade) has a 504 Plan and an IEP for ADHD (OHI) and he is doing well in the AAP Center school. We provided the psychologist's report (including WISC-IV testing) as parent supplemental information.

My DS did not have to sit through testing "for hours on end" (as described by PP 00:15) and his ADHD is "complicated" and requires accommodations.

I think each child is unique and a blanket "AAP and IEP don't mix" statement is erroneous.

You may wish to read about Twice Exceptional students. There is one article on the FCPS AAP website and I am sure an internet search would reveal more resources.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columntwicelearners.shtml

I realize this is derailing the thread, but was your son earning poor grades prior to getting his IEP. My daughter is ADHD also, but the principal says that since she makes A's & B's she won't qualify for a 504 or IEP.

This is incorrect. Go to wrightslaw.com to bone up on the law. Excellent resource for how to request a 504 or IEP.