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[Anonymous]

It seems next to impossible to find information on the quality of education offered to SN kids in Northern Virginia's schools. Am I looking in the wrong places? Even some of the schools do not return phone calls. I hoped there would be more transparency regarding how our children are being treated in the educational setting. Unfortunately there isn't, so I am turning to my fellow parents for your opinions of the school your child attends. I understand any reluctance about giving any type of information that may identify your child or family. At this point, even a simple reply such as "I would avoid X school" or "I've had a great experience at X school." Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Part of the issue is that one persons experience may be vastly different than another families.

I'm in Mont Cty. My son and his BFF attend the same school and have the same dx. Our experience is fantastic. His mother constantly complains about how horrible the school is. Both children receive the same support and services.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. My neighbor and good friends child had similar diagnosis as my HFA son. I was very happy with the school and she was constantly complaining and actually left for a private school. It really depends on your kid, the teacher they get that year etc. Over six years of SPED, my child has had great years and some not so great.

What supports does your child need? That might help people better answer your question.

Another suggestion is to look for schools where one of the admins has a special ed background. That really seems to help, my son's school both Principal and Asst had taught SPED at some point in career.

Good luck I know its not easy.

[Anonymous]

It's entirely subjective. What works for one child doesn't work for another. A school might be great for severely impaired kids but terrible for dyslexic kids. You see the problem?

There have been good years in FCPS and horrible ones.

That said, I think FCPS really needs a program for 2e kids who perform at or above grade level but who have autism or ADHD that impairs their ability to participate in a regular classroom without a lot of teacher redirecting. Most SN classrooms are focused on remediation at a slow pace and teachers in general ed, honors, or AAP have trouble dealing with behaviors our "smart but impaired" kids have. They need to have classrooms where they can get the academic challenge they need, along with the social, emotional, and behavioral support. Unfortunately, private school is not an option for most parents at 40K a year or more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part of the issue is that one persons experience may be vastly different than another families.

I'm in Mont Cty. My son and his BFF attend the same school and have the same dx. Our experience is fantastic. His mother constantly complains about how horrible the school is. Both children receive the same support and services.

I know other people have been happy in the same Moco program we hate. I don't know if they're less critical or their kids need less support. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP. My neighbor and good friends child had similar diagnosis as my HFA son. I was very happy with the school and she was constantly complaining and actually left for a private school. It really depends on your kid, the teacher they get that year etc. Over six years of SPED, my child has had great years and some not so great.

What supports does your child need? That might help people better answer your question.

Another suggestion is to look for schools where one of the admins has a special ed background. That really seems to help, my son's school both Principal and Asst had taught SPED at some point in career.

Good luck I know its not easy.

Another point of disagreement that shows you how different points of view can be.
DD had a principal with a special ed background in a certain type of need but this principal thought it made them an expert on all of them and was resistant to any input or feedback from anyone else including those from the county that we appealed to for help.

[Anonymous]

We made the hard decision to pull from FCPS in favor of SN private. We have had one good case manager the whole time we've been through this, and one good classroom teacher. The rest were worthless in terms of dealing with our HFA kid (who is easygoing and doesn't have behavioral issues). If we'd been guaranteed the same special ed teacher we had this year, we'd stay, but they are unable to guarantee and we can't continue to let the kid slide further behind.