Best DCPS Elementary Schools for Kids with High-functioning Autism and/or ADHD?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know which schools might have very strong support for kids with high-functioning autism and ADHD? I know that they are all supposed to provide good support, but in practice which are the best? Thinking about doing the lottery.

We would really like to also have good afterschool clubs and activities available.

Thanks!
Heather

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know which schools might have very strong support for kids with high-functioning autism and ADHD? I know that they are all supposed to provide good support, but in practice which are the best? Thinking about doing the lottery.

We would really like to also have good afterschool clubs and activities available.

Thanks!
Heather

What grade is your child in and does your DC have a IEP? We have a child with this profile with a 504, at least right now, and generally find the support lacking. Following this thread in earnest to see if better options surface. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

SWS

SWW @ FS

Murch

[Anonymous]

OP, how old is your child?

SWS is a fabulous school with a strong HFA program. A number of the kids in it were placed there through the central office on the basis of their IEPs/at the recommendation of their IEP teams. A few kids are bused from other neighborhoods so they can access the program.

[Anonymous]

P.s.: SWS also has a fabulous aftercare program, though there are no special supports for kids with HFA/ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Is SWS also good for kids with ADHD? If so, what kind of support do they provide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is SWS also good for kids with ADHD? If so, what kind of support do they provide?

There is no special program for kids with ADHD and the support they need will vary considerably based upon each kid’s needs. It’s really specific to the 504 or IEP.

Quite a number of the kids in the HFA program also have ADHD. They receive lots of support through the HFA program.

In general I think SWS does a good job with SN, but individual experiences will vary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know which schools might have very strong support for kids with high-functioning autism and ADHD? I know that they are all supposed to provide good support, but in practice which are the best? Thinking about doing the lottery.

We would really like to also have good afterschool clubs and activities available.

Thanks!
Heather

And the HFA program at SWS is not accessible via lottery - your IEP team needs to refer you...

[Anonymous]

Correct that the HFA program at SWS is not accessible through the lottery. That is true for all of DCPS’ specialized SN programs.

But what I meant was that the program itself has a mix of kids who were already at SWS through the lottery (in many cases diagnosed with HFA while at SWS), and others who were accepted to the program from outside schools, and who thus gained admission to SWS without going through the lottery.

There are only 13-14 or so kids in the program right now, school wide, with very few in younger grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Correct that the HFA program at SWS is not accessible through the lottery. That is true for all of DCPS’ specialized SN programs.

But what I meant was that the program itself has a mix of kids who were already at SWS through the lottery (in many cases diagnosed with HFA while at SWS), and others who were accepted to the program from outside schools, and who thus gained admission to SWS without going through the lottery.

There are only 13-14 or so kids in the program right now, school wide, with very few in younger grades.

Thanks for the info. Do you know if this is because it's all the program can accommmodate or it's all of those who have requested to be in it? I know they had ended their Ivymount pilot - any news on how their program is going?

I have a 1st grader with ADHD and HFA. We started on an IEP in PK3 and have been walked back down to a 504 plan because the school insisted that no specialized instruction was needed as our kid was well above academic expectations (I wasn't thrilled, but so far we're doing ok). Sounds like we'd need to be back on an IEP if we wanted to consider switching into this program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Correct that the HFA program at SWS is not accessible through the lottery. That is true for all of DCPS’ specialized SN programs.

But what I meant was that the program itself has a mix of kids who were already at SWS through the lottery (in many cases diagnosed with HFA while at SWS), and others who were accepted to the program from outside schools, and who thus gained admission to SWS without going through the lottery.

There are only 13-14 or so kids in the program right now, school wide, with very few in younger grades.

Thanks for the info. Do you know if this is because it's all the program can accommmodate or it's all of those who have requested to be in it? I know they had ended their Ivymount pilot - any news on how their program is going?

I have a 1st grader with ADHD and HFA. We started on an IEP in PK3 and have been walked back down to a 504 plan because the school insisted that no specialized instruction was needed as our kid was well above academic expectations (I wasn't thrilled, but so far we're doing ok). Sounds like we'd need to be back on an IEP if we wanted to consider switching into this program.

The SWS program is one of DCPS' specialized options for children who need more support according to their IEPs. To get into it (or one of the similar programs at SWW@FS or Takoma EC) you must have an IEP AND your IB DCPS school's IEP team (or central office if you are outside DCPS now) needs to advocate for your child to be placed there.

A description of the program (and the rest of DCPS' special education programs) is here https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Family%20Programs%20and%20Resources%20Guide%2017-18_1.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The SWS program is one of DCPS' specialized options for children who need more support according to their IEPs. To get into it (or one of the similar programs at SWW@FS or Takoma EC) you must have an IEP AND your IB DCPS school's IEP team (or central office if you are outside DCPS now) needs to advocate for your child to be placed there.

A description of the program (and the rest of DCPS' special education programs) is here https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Family%20Programs%20and%20Resources%20Guide%2017-18_1.pdf

Could you clarify where in the linked document it discusses this program? I don't see any program that talks about serving HFA kids. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The SWS program is one of DCPS' specialized options for children who need more support according to their IEPs. To get into it (or one of the similar programs at SWW@FS or Takoma EC) you must have an IEP AND your IB DCPS school's IEP team (or central office if you are outside DCPS now) needs to advocate for your child to be placed there.

A description of the program (and the rest of DCPS' special education programs) is here https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Family%20Programs%20and%20Resources%20Guide%2017-18_1.pdf

Could you clarify where in the linked document it discusses this program? I don't see any program that talks about serving HFA kids. Thanks!

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The SWS program is one of DCPS' specialized options for children who need more support according to their IEPs. To get into it (or one of the similar programs at SWW@FS or Takoma EC) you must have an IEP AND your IB DCPS school's IEP team (or central office if you are outside DCPS now) needs to advocate for your child to be placed there.

A description of the program (and the rest of DCPS' special education programs) is here https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Family%20Programs%20and%20Resources%20Guide%2017-18_1.pdf

Could you clarify where in the linked document it discusses this program? I don't see any program that talks about serving HFA kids. Thanks!

They don't call it that - but it's under the CES program (there are some CES programs that support level 1 and 2). Last year CES for students with Level 1 and 2 IEPs were at SWS, Takoma and SWW @ FS. You can match it up by seeing where the classrooms are in this spreadsheet (from 17-18) https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/FTP%20Vertical.pdf

[Anonymous]

^^ pp, that spreadsheet is from 16-17! Since you appear to be from DCPS, any chance of getting an updated spreadsheet?

Also, not to hijack this thread, but what are the prospects for a HFA middle school program?