Anonymous wrote:We had experience with two middle schools in Arlington. At the first one, our DC had all co-taught classes, a social skills class, and instructional studies that was supposed to provide executive function support.

We transferred to the Secondary Program for Students with Autism (SPSA) and the services were on paper very similar but the teachers understood DC better and there was someone serving as point person with the big picture in mind for my kid. Instructional studies was more than just a study hall.

I have no idea the likelihood of getting into SPSA with an outside IEP. If I were moving into Arlington in your place, I would choose a home within boundaries of one of the middle schools with SPSA (Hamm and Jefferson). Even if you are not part of the program, the special education staff at the school will be much better equipped to handle autism. And if you need a higher level of support, the change will be less disruptive.

This is so helpful, thank you.🙏

We had experience with two middle schools in Arlington. At the first one, our DC had all co-taught classes, a social skills class, and instructional studies that was supposed to provide executive function support.

We transferred to the Secondary Program for Students with Autism (SPSA) and the services were on paper very similar but the teachers understood DC better and there was someone serving as point person with the big picture in mind for my kid. Instructional studies was more than just a study hall.

I have no idea the likelihood of getting into SPSA with an outside IEP. If I were moving into Arlington in your place, I would choose a home within boundaries of one of the middle schools with SPSA (Hamm and Jefferson). Even if you are not part of the program, the special education staff at the school will be much better equipped to handle autism. And if you need a higher level of support, the change will be less disruptive.

I really appreciate all of the input on MCPS. Anyone out there have experiences in Fairfax, Arlington, or Alexandria?

What comes to mind is the Bridge program in MCPS. That will require placement by the MCPS IEP team. No idea how your current IEP would translate to what MCPS looks for with placement.

My MS is in Bridge. They have their own suite within the comprehensive school. Classes are very structured and small. The kids are cohorted together. There is a social worker within the suite. Kids are at or above grade level. One MS elective is replaced with Resource---I don't know about all the MS programs but at our school, Resource has a defined agenda for each day of the week. ie Monday is review grade book; Tuesday is plan for upcoming homework/tests; Wed is writing emails and asking teachers for help, etc. The resource class is explicitly teaching exec functioning skills that will be needed in HS.

The kids eat lunch together and have their other elective and PE together. If a kid wants to take a mainstream course and the team feels that they can be successful, they are able to do so.

Yes, he is in gen Ed for all academics and receives push in supports for social/exec functioning in several classes, speech for social, counseling, etc. That is what is offered where we are…no special programs. I do think something more specialized would help, if the IEP team decides as such. Current IEP is robust. Thank you!

How many hours does his IEP have now? I don't know about Virginia, but in Maryland, most students with that profile are mainstreamed, with maybe a resource class replacing one elective. If you were thinking about one of Moco's specialized programs, you will need to have an IEP that shows the need.

We are looking to relocate to the DMV and have a child with an IEP in middle school. We are trying to target a middle and high school that would suit them. They have Autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Performing on or above grade level, benefit from social and executive functioning supports. Seem to do better in classes that are more structured and have good classroom management ( but don’t all kids!) I have seen MCPS programs mentioned positively on this board, but don’t see much about Virginia schools, which would be better for us geographically. Any insights on programs (particularly public) in Arlington, Alexandria, or Fairfax? Open to ideas on private schools as well, but much of the discussion on this board is discouraging and seems to indicate it would be hard to find a private for a student with this profile. Appreciate thoughts from those who have BTDT.