Frustrated with lack of Special Needs schools in this area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here & yes, we are beginning to work with a consultant. I will disagree with everyone that says there are lots of options. Maybe there are on surface but if you have an early elementary child with language disorders, there are none other than in MD. Public school is great on surface but not when your child gets put in a specialized program lumped together with kids who are physically aggressive and your child can’t communicate for help. Out of the suggested schools here, once you tell them lack of verbal communication, you can’t even apply, so no, I don’t think there are a lot of options.

We were overseas and there actually were much better options for private bc they seemed less into labels and evaluations and reports and more into working with the individual child.

In this scenario I would create a homeschool program tailored to my child or fight the school system to get a 1:1 pullout and direct instruction provided in a separate classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

It depends on the child and school. We had a terrible experience in elementary school and the principal was terrible. If we had a better, affordable option, anything had to be better than that. We heavily supplemented with private therapies and tutoring.

It does depend, but you also have federal law on your side, and experts you can hire. I was amazed at what I could unlock at a school that otherwise seemed like they were fine letting my child ruin his education (and that of the other kids in his classroom), once I brought in some reinforcements for myself.

Experts, and attorneys are very expensive to hire. Only the rich can do that. Sadly, it was cheaper for us to do things privately than fight the system and also wait a year to get through that process and our child would have missed out on that year of help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

It depends on the child and school. We had a terrible experience in elementary school and the principal was terrible. If we had a better, affordable option, anything had to be better than that. We heavily supplemented with private therapies and tutoring.

It does depend, but you also have federal law on your side, and experts you can hire. I was amazed at what I could unlock at a school that otherwise seemed like they were fine letting my child ruin his education (and that of the other kids in his classroom), once I brought in some reinforcements for myself.

Experts, and attorneys are very expensive to hire. Only the rich can do that. Sadly, it was cheaper for us to do things privately than fight the system and also wait a year to get through that process and our child would have missed out on that year of help.

I’ve paid my consultant like $3000 over 2 years … a lot less than private school tuition. plus there is no private that would work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here & yes, we are beginning to work with a consultant. I will disagree with everyone that says there are lots of options. Maybe there are on surface but if you have an early elementary child with language disorders, there are none other than in MD. Public school is great on surface but not when your child gets put in a specialized program lumped together with kids who are physically aggressive and your child can’t communicate for help. Out of the suggested schools here, once you tell them lack of verbal communication, you can’t even apply, so no, I don’t think there are a lot of options.

We were overseas and there actually were much better options for private bc they seemed less into labels and evaluations and reports and more into working with the individual child.

Have you looked at Seliena? They focus on language. Also Linda mood bell has a good program and may fit possibly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here & yes, we are beginning to work with a consultant. I will disagree with everyone that says there are lots of options. Maybe there are on surface but if you have an early elementary child with language disorders, there are none other than in MD. Public school is great on surface but not when your child gets put in a specialized program lumped together with kids who are physically aggressive and your child can’t communicate for help. Out of the suggested schools here, once you tell them lack of verbal communication, you can’t even apply, so no, I don’t think there are a lot of options.

We were overseas and there actually were much better options for private bc they seemed less into labels and evaluations and reports and more into working with the individual child.

Have you looked at Siena I meant. They focus on language. Also Linda mood bell has a good program and may fit possibly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

[Anonymous]

FCPS is all about making special Ed students fail. Totally sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

Have you hired a consultant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

I am sorry. We are an Alexandria family in the exact same situation. If you have the energy (and are willing to put yourself out there), I would encourage you to submit a public comment to ACPS special education advisory committee (SEAC) in the fall or in writing now so that committee can at least as questions to Terry Werner, et Al relevant to your experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

I am sorry. We are an Alexandria family in the exact same situation. If you have the energy (and are willing to put yourself out there), I would encourage you to submit a public comment to ACPS special education advisory committee (SEAC) in the fall or in writing now so that committee can at least as questions to Terry Werner, et Al relevant to your experiences.

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/Page/1233

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

I am sorry. We are an Alexandria family in the exact same situation. If you have the energy (and are willing to put yourself out there), I would encourage you to submit a public comment to ACPS special education advisory committee (SEAC) in the fall or in writing now so that committee can at least as questions to Terry Werner, et Al relevant to your experiences.

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/Page/1233

To be clear, SEAC will not respond directly to your comment but having information about special needs families’ real struggles are very helpful for the committee trying to have some positive good in ACPS.

[Anonymous]

Homeschool kids definitely attend various group activities with other homeschoolers. They put on their own plays, have science labs and field trips, and other activities. You the parent would need some daytime freedom to meet up with homeschool parents. But it’s flat-out wrong to think that homeschool children are isolated at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

I am sorry. We are an Alexandria family in the exact same situation. If you have the energy (and are willing to put yourself out there), I would encourage you to submit a public comment to ACPS special education advisory committee (SEAC) in the fall or in writing now so that committee can at least as questions to Terry Werner, et Al relevant to your experiences.

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/Page/1233

Thanks for the link. I will definitely submit something. I’ve been hesitant until we have something in place for her for schooling bc, as ridiculous as this sounds, I’m afraid that we will actually get even worse service if we are seen as complaining about anything. It’s such a different world than the mainstream privates we are familiar with. There they seek out feedback and follow up. We are struggling to even get anywhere with ACPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We actually need more schools for children with behavioral issues and more intensive special needs, but who will receive a diploma. There is an abundance of options if your child is gifted or on grade level. And for behavior, I’m talking issues like being disruptive not aggressive. There is only one private option I am aware of and it’s not great. No options really for kids with low average iqs, learning issues, and behaviors and many, many, many kids in that boat.

there is not an abundance of options if your child is gifted. Please share their names if I am wrong.

For a grade-level or advanced kid with autism and no behavioral issues? Maybe not an "abundance" of options, but MANY more options than kids with behavioral issues. Almost all of the SN privates discussed on here (Siena, Diener, Auburn, McClean, Lab, Commonwealth) will not take a kid with behavioral issues. And summer camps? Forget about it. For understandable reasons, they treat behavioral issues as the third rail.

None of those listed had the higher levels of math and science that my local HS had for my gifted child. Commonwealth was close, but even then it would be a supervised online college class (which is what my friend’s child ended up doing).

Oh yes, I am PP, and I agree that publics are better for an advanced kid with autism. Kids like that need to be mainstreamed. We're currently considering moving to MoCo for that reason.

MoCo has very little in terms of gifted for kids. I wouldn't move here for that. Look at the number of available slots and its very few given the need in MoCo.

Mainstreaming a kid with autism into advanced classes is what I’m talking about. “Gifted” education is going away everywhere. The main point is that the place for a bright child with autism is public school with a strong IEP. OP seems to have formed an opinion about publics (and “those” kids she doesn’t want her child to be around.) Her loss.

The OP said she was on ACPS which I think is very poor for 2E students.

Unless her child is gifted-gifted (unlikely, statistically) what 2E elementary students need is basically just really good mainstreaming. My impression is that elementary school is where you are more likely to accomplish this. Harder in middle and high school.

Definitely not. With many special needs there is a lot of anxiety involved. From our personal experience that isn't handled well in public.

OP here - yes, tons of anxiety involved. It’s becoming clear ACPS is an even bigger mess than I was afraid of. The anxiety will literally make my DD mute for the entire day, so there is no way a main stream private will work. Her drs think she benefits the most from being around children who are speaking at an age appropriate level so are against any type of homeschool situation. Out of the schools recommended here, most won’t take anyone w/ an ASD diagnosis (dd’s expressive language is too far behind to not disclose) or don’t start until later than early elementary. Siena fits the need on paper but the recent reviews from both campuses are universally horrific. I feel like we are back at square one.

I am sorry. We are an Alexandria family in the exact same situation. If you have the energy (and are willing to put yourself out there), I would encourage you to submit a public comment to ACPS special education advisory committee (SEAC) in the fall or in writing now so that committee can at least as questions to Terry Werner, et Al relevant to your experiences.

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/Page/1233

Thanks for the link. I will definitely submit something. I’ve been hesitant until we have something in place for her for schooling bc, as ridiculous as this sounds, I’m afraid that we will actually get even worse service if we are seen as complaining about anything. It’s such a different world than the mainstream privates we are familiar with. There they seek out feedback and follow up. We are struggling to even get anywhere with ACPS

I completely understand. If you decide to stay in ACPS, you might consider contacting Dr. Erin Stone in the central office directly about services / accommodations relating to ASD. At a minimum, you could contact the parent resource center within ACPS for suggestions (https://www.acps.k12.va.us/specialeducation and https://www.acps.k12.va.us/prc)