Bridge Program - MCPS

[Anonymous]

Can you share your experience with the Bridge Program for MS? Especially looking for feedback on Briggs Chaney MS. (Would this be a good program for a bright student on the autism spectrum who needs a smaller class size and extra support than a mainstream MS experience?)

[Anonymous]

I have a friend with a 6th grader at Briggs Chaney MS in the bridge program. They weren’t thrilled with DL meeting his needs but now it’s in person it’s been great. He loves it and is happy going to school and they have been happy with the services/education provided.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback! Anyone else have experience with Bridge? What is the typical kind of kid that is in the program? What disabilities are typical? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Almost all of the Bridge students have an autism diagnosis but need some mental health services. Bridge students occupy a wing of the school which makes it almost a school within a school. The students do travel to other teachers within the wing and some do have mainstreamed courses when they are ready. There is a lot of support and can be a great fit for the right student. Our biggest issue with the program is that there are some kids with huge behavior issues and that traumatizes my own child. I think it is best for students with behavior issues and an autism diagnosis who need a smaller setting.

[Anonymous]

How is it different from the austism specific programs (ARS, etc)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is it different from the austism specific programs (ARS, etc)?

My understanding is that students in the Bridge program are mostly on or above grade level. But are significantly impacted by anxiety and social challenges. A lot of the students have autism, but not all. They need more access to counseling/psychological services.

ARS students tend to be about 1-2 years below grade level. They have the social challenges that come with autism but not necessarily the same level of anxiety, externalizing behavior, and need for access to counseling services to process through emotional challenges.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! If anyone else has feedback on this program (or Briggs Chaney) please chime in.

[Anonymous]

I was a PP and my child attended a different bridge program a couple of years ago (Hoover). You didn’t say anything about your child, but my recommendation is to only put your child in if he/she has an autism diagnosis and has behaviors (and can handle other kids with behaviors). The behaviors of some of the students was quite extreme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a PP and my child attended a different bridge program a couple of years ago (Hoover). You didn’t say anything about your child, but my recommendation is to only put your child in if he/she has an autism diagnosis and has behaviors (and can handle other kids with behaviors). The behaviors of some of the students was quite extreme.

Thank you! Why would a school put a child in Bridge over the Asperger's or Autism program? Because Bridge is self-contained? Is the Autism program self-contained? Child is gifted with autism.

How many kids are typically in a Bridge class?

[Anonymous]

Program choice really depends on your student's needs. The Asperger's program is almost entirely mainstream with social skills, resource, and English classes in the program in middle school-although the kids can drop the social skills class for an elective. Also the resource class period has a heavy focus on executive functioning. All of the students are in co-taught classes and have paraeducators available. The program tends to have kids that are 1-2 years above grade level and the classes can be reasonably stressful. But, the teachers understand the anxiety and rigidity that can come with ASD and provide supports where needed. Students receive a high school diploma.

Bridge programs have the option to be entirely self contained with fading support and transition into gen ed classes. These programs (at least at the high school level) often have a psychologist and social worker on staff to help students with more needs. The programs have a great deal more support than the asperger's program, are aimed at kids who are on grade level and students receive a high school diploma.

ARS program is for students who benefit from smaller classes and are 1-2 years below grade level. Students receive more support in this program, but are expected not to have behavior problems. Students in ARS receive either a diploma or a certificate.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a recent experience of Hoover Middle School Bridge Program? It will be really helpful. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all! If anyone else has feedback on this program (or Briggs Chaney) please chime in.

We are looking at Briggs Chaney bridge program, too. Wish I knew more about it.

[Anonymous]

Can you please share some specifics about the “extreme” behaviors? Were the kids violent? Self-harming?

[Anonymous]

bumping, curious about what kind of behaviors are typical in the middle school bridge programs