Auburn or MCPS Asperger's - and what happens to the IEP?

[Anonymous]

Our DD is increasingly miserable as she enters the upper grades of MCPS elementary. She has an extensive IEP and mild ASD. It is looking like her IEP team is on board with placing her into MCPS Asperger's program for next year and we are also considering Auburn. One of our main questions is if we decide on Auburn what happens to her IEP after? Would we need to start all over again? Unless her needs change signficantly we would want her to return to MCPS in the Asperger's program - would we need to fight that fight all over again? If so, that might be a huge push to keep her in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

When was her last triennial?

[Anonymous]

One question- I hear that the school is on board, but is the County?

I would suggest applying to Auburn while you go through the lengthy process of the placement change. That will give you the time to tour both and find the right fit.

If at that point you think Auburn is the better fit and the County agrees to the placement change you will have your options.

[Anonymous]

Auburn is not on the county's list of approved private placements, so you will not get funding.

Eligibility is good for three years, so if you return to public school before eligibility expires, you won't have to start over again in terms of qualifying. Goals and services, including placement, are only good for one year, so you would have to renegotiate that again. As a practical matter, even if you moved her to the asperger's elementary school program, you would have to renegotiate when she moves to middle school anyway; would you send her to auburn for so few years that she would still be in elementary school when you wanted to return to public school?