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[quote=Anonymous]NP here. OP, have you considered Karasik, a truly inclusive preschool? DC, with mild-to-moderate ASD is thriving there at a cost that is about a third of Maddux's, is year-round (with only 12 days off per year, so loads of consistency in the schedule), and receives PEP services through a push-in model in the general classroom. When DC is not receiving PEP support in the classroom, the teachers are tasked with ensuring that DC receives all needed supports, and they have done a fabulous job. DC still needs support to maintain attention, play with peers, and not get lost in order to access the academics, but we have found that the teachers have been very attentive to DC's  needs. DC is excited to go to Karasik everyday.

DS was in PEP Classic last year, and we liked PEP Classic for DC better than we liked DC's first typical preschool, but we knew it wasn't perfect, especially because the day wasn't long enough and the schedule with Mondays off, extra weeks off, closings for every little thing, etc., just did not work for DC. We were also concerned that DC's language wasn't developing as much as it could while DC was enrolled in Classic.

When we moved DC to a typical preschool for a summer, we saw DC's language blossom, but DC's anxiety increased to the point of not wanting to go to school most mornings. We knew DC would do better with peer models, but DC needed the right environment with loads of support.

At Karasik, DC is fully supported by the director, Sharon Hedgepeth, the teachers (who are certified early childhood education teachers), the assistant teachers, the full-time nursing staff, and the PEP staff. The other parents in the school have always been warm and welcoming, and they take Karasik's inclusive mission seriously.

We spent a year searching for a preschool for our DC that could meet DC's needs. It was a frustrating search, but we learned that the only preschool where DC could go to school with typical peers and have DC's needs met, while providing DC the consistent schedule DC needed, was Karasik.

Karasik is located on Tenbrook Drive in Silver Spring, which is basically located between the Georgia Ave and University Blvd/US 29 exits of 495. MCPS does not provide busing to or from Karasik, so you would be responsible for transportation. (Accepting Karasik as the site for PEP will automatically remove transportation from the IEP until your child goes to an MCPS school again. Yes, the lack of busing is a major bummer for both parents and for a child who loves the bus!) We think the best way to contact Karasik is to call Sharon Hedgepeth at 301-984-5777 x3340. If you want more information, there's a very small amount on the website, including email addresses and phone numbers here: http://thearcmontgomerycounty.org/what-we-do/children-youth/children.html

We know how frustrating this search is and we wish you lots of luck, OP.

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