Reply to HFA "Pilot" Program at SWS

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Not OP, but can someone describe the program (ages, how one gets in, what makes it a particular program)?  We have a rising preK4er with HFA among other things, and are on the verge of moving for lack of services for HFA kids in DCPS, as far as we've encountered (we still need some autism specific services/approaches, but they only seem to offer self contained classes for kids with autism that aren't appropriate).  So I'd love to hear about an option potentially available down the road...[/quote]

I'm OP and I can't answer all of the questions.  But I do know that a few years ago DCPS began a very small pilot program at SWS for kids with HFA.  Something like 6 or 8 kids, 1st graders I think, with appropriate IEPs were placed at SWS and fully integrated into the classroom, receiving normal services one would receive at any school, but attending a regular (1x or 2x weekly) super sophisticated pull-out social skills class run by folks trained at Ivymount.  So those kids have all aged through the system and I'm hoping to hear from their parents.

DCPS just (this past month) got funding for an additional tranche of kids (eight I believe, combination of rising 1st and 2nd graders) and my child was offered a spot on the basis of my child's IEP (plus DCPS' autism coordinator observed my child in the classroom, spoke with teachers, special education advisors, etc.).  (Fwiw: my child presently attends a regular DCPS school, where she receives 5 hours of special ed a week, an hour of speech and some minor OT, very little pullout overall.  She is doing well academically, does not present behavior problems, etc., but struggles socially.)

Hopefully this is part of a growing wave of HFA programs in DC.

In any case, SWS is a super well-regarded school in high demand, especially on the Hill.  So I'm excited for that, too.  (All of that said, my child drew a decent lottery number and has a good chance of getting into CMI and Inspired Teaching, though no guarantee.  So after years of stress, hiring of SN consultants, and exploring of moving, we may actually have some choices.)

So, if anyone with direct experience of the SWS program could opine, I'd be grateful.

Thanks!

P.s.: I understand the SWS program is already full for next year.[/quote]

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