Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 18:02     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You should get an FBA in the public school prior to moving on so you understand the behavior and what you’re working towards. This does not need to be a forever problem, I’ve worked through it with many children. Usually through a combination of school supports or homeschooling or partial schooling plus many opportunities for growth in group settings that are most laidback than public school. This includes things like play dates, co ops, social skills groups, camps, etc Even a change in teacher/school/classroom can sometimes change it, just depends what you’re working with. You need to find a professional outside the school system that can evaluate in the school and home and be willing to work in any setting with the goal of mainstreaming (if that’s what you want). You need someone with experience to do this, it’s not an I just graduated type job, so really vet that person well.


The idea that a child with significant behavioral needs would get approved by MCPS for a non-public placement like Ivymount or Lourie if the school team had not already done an FBA, at the absolute bare minimum first step, is absurd. We can infer that this has been tried. It would never have even made it to CIEP without that, and probably multiple FBA/BIP attempts. CIEP will take any excuse to kick a file back to the school and a missing FBA would have been the most obvious excuse ever. The fact that OP's son was approved for a non-public placement guarantees that all this stuff was tried, probably past the point of failure. The flippant suggestion that OP should have just tried changing teachers, when her son was referred to Ivymount and Lourie, is borderline insulting to all the efforts I'm sure OP (and the school) has made. Come on. Do you know how this placement process works??


The pp is probably the teacher who thinks everything parents ask for is unreasonable.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 17:52     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:You should get an FBA in the public school prior to moving on so you understand the behavior and what you’re working towards. This does not need to be a forever problem, I’ve worked through it with many children. Usually through a combination of school supports or homeschooling or partial schooling plus many opportunities for growth in group settings that are most laidback than public school. This includes things like play dates, co ops, social skills groups, camps, etc Even a change in teacher/school/classroom can sometimes change it, just depends what you’re working with. You need to find a professional outside the school system that can evaluate in the school and home and be willing to work in any setting with the goal of mainstreaming (if that’s what you want). You need someone with experience to do this, it’s not an I just graduated type job, so really vet that person well.


The idea that a child with significant behavioral needs would get approved by MCPS for a non-public placement like Ivymount or Lourie if the school team had not already done an FBA, at the absolute bare minimum first step, is absurd. We can infer that this has been tried. It would never have even made it to CIEP without that, and probably multiple FBA/BIP attempts. CIEP will take any excuse to kick a file back to the school and a missing FBA would have been the most obvious excuse ever. The fact that OP's son was approved for a non-public placement guarantees that all this stuff was tried, probably past the point of failure. The flippant suggestion that OP should have just tried changing teachers, when her son was referred to Ivymount and Lourie, is borderline insulting to all the efforts I'm sure OP (and the school) has made. Come on. Do you know how this placement process works??
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 17:32     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
There are no placements unfortunately. Go on Facebook join the DMV PDA group.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 16:29     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Also (same poster as above), you say he was rejected from the placements most appropriate for his needs. Were there other referrals where he was accepted?
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 16:27     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Is LCS Lourie? If yes, what exactly did they say as the reason for rejection? I'd suggest asking Ivymount and Lourie for recommendations for other schools that may be a better fit. I'm surprised to hear that either school would reject a student for being "too dysregulated."
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:57     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
You should get an FBA in the public school prior to moving on so you understand the behavior and what you’re working towards. This does not need to be a forever problem, I’ve worked through it with many children. Usually through a combination of school supports or homeschooling or partial schooling plus many opportunities for growth in group settings that are most laidback than public school. This includes things like play dates, co ops, social skills groups, camps, etc Even a change in teacher/school/classroom can sometimes change it, just depends what you’re working with. You need to find a professional outside the school system that can evaluate in the school and home and be willing to work in any setting with the goal of mainstreaming (if that’s what you want). You need someone with experience to do this, it’s not an I just graduated type job, so really vet that person well.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:46     Subject: Re:DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
One other issue you should look into as you are waiting for a placement is whether MCPS is going to allow him to return to school while you wait for a placement. A number of parents I know had kids who were not permitted and it was a very difficult time. If you don't know, you probably want to know now so that you can be planning for the start of school.

If in a few years he still needs 1:1, there is Fusion Academy. And in HS, MCPS has more intensive programs and he might be able to return. I know that is a ways off - just trying to think of some options for you.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:40     Subject: Re:DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
if he was approved for a nonpublic placement, it is unlikely that MCPS had an option for him. But, if RICA hasn't been suggested you might want to inquire.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:36     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When our AuDHD/PDA/GAD DS was 8, he was in 2nd grade when the pandemic started. He "did" virtual school for 12 months by logging on to his laptop during class and wandering off. He basically read books (aka "unschooled") for the entire time.

When students went back into the building, he was ready. We didn't plan on giving him a 12-month break from school but it hit right at the perfect time for him, when he was growing increasingly anxious and unable to leave the house. If your DC is unable to attend any school, he may have to homeschool for a time - but it doesn't have to be permanent. He may need a reset and then may be able to return to school, in our case mainstream school.


OP here. As someone who does not want to be responsible for homeschooling, I was hoping there might be an MCPS equivalent. But if that’s the only option I may have to reconsider my preferences and fears.


Gently, the fact that they referred you out to Ivymount, etc. means that they do not have any in-house programs they feel can serve him. If they did, they would have tried those before consenting to non-public placement. Now that he has not been accepted by the schools they referred to, they should call you in again to discuss what next steps to take.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:31     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Is he on medication for anxiety or anything else? I ask, because your son sounds very similarly profiled to mine. Medication was a necessity for him to attend school and participate in a classroom, starting as early as K. Even so, public school did not work out. He attended the [formerly called] MAP program at Ivymount, where he flourished. At the time, it was the only non-program program where he applied, and shadowed, that appeared to be the right fit. Good luck. It is a tough tough time.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:26     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:When our AuDHD/PDA/GAD DS was 8, he was in 2nd grade when the pandemic started. He "did" virtual school for 12 months by logging on to his laptop during class and wandering off. He basically read books (aka "unschooled") for the entire time.

When students went back into the building, he was ready. We didn't plan on giving him a 12-month break from school but it hit right at the perfect time for him, when he was growing increasingly anxious and unable to leave the house. If your DC is unable to attend any school, he may have to homeschool for a time - but it doesn't have to be permanent. He may need a reset and then may be able to return to school, in our case mainstream school.


OP here. As someone who does not want to be responsible for homeschooling, I was hoping there might be an MCPS equivalent. But if that’s the only option I may have to reconsider my preferences and fears.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:21     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:Do you need 1:1 or is small groups (2-7 kids) okay?


At this point I think it would need to be 1:1.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:13     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
When our AuDHD/PDA/GAD DS was 8, he was in 2nd grade when the pandemic started. He "did" virtual school for 12 months by logging on to his laptop during class and wandering off. He basically read books (aka "unschooled") for the entire time.

When students went back into the building, he was ready. We didn't plan on giving him a 12-month break from school but it hit right at the perfect time for him, when he was growing increasingly anxious and unable to leave the house. If your DC is unable to attend any school, he may have to homeschool for a time - but it doesn't have to be permanent. He may need a reset and then may be able to return to school, in our case mainstream school.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 14:06     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Do you need 1:1 or is small groups (2-7 kids) okay?
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 13:59     Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
DS 8 y.o. With AuDHD, PDA, social anxiety. Above average academics. Cannot manage to step foot in a classroom with other kids. Approved for non public placement but rejected from the options most appropriate for his needs (LCS and Ivymount) because he was so dysregulated during the visits. Same with Auburn.

Are there any MCPS options that don’t involve group settings? At one point we applied for Home and Hospital for the anxiety-related school refusal but were rejected.