Thank you both for your helpful comments. We will post to MCNeeds. We were surprised by the placement recommendation the team made, since at the close of our child's screening they told us they'd likely recommend a different placement, which we thought would suit our child. Our meeting did grow contentious, with one of the team members calling my wife and me liars and saying we had a secret agenda. It was unbelievable.

Again, thank you.

I second the recommendation to post on MC needs. We used an advocate for our very first IEP meeting because I and my service coordinator did not agree on the best placement for my kid. I have to say that I think it did make a difference. From the moment you walk in the meeting you are perceived as a person not to be messed with. There is the suggestion in the hiring of an advocate that you have money and you will get a lawyer if necessary. Our meeting apparently took longer than most because of the team wanting to do everything by the book. It never got hostile however since we prepared a case in advance to make our point. I can't imagine going through that process alone. It would be very easy to get railroaded w/o even realizing it.

I don't have any advice except to suggest that you post this question on MCneeds, where a lot of people WILL have good advice for you. Good luck.

We disagree with the PEPplacement MCPS has offered to our son, and would like to appeal the decision. It looks like we can pursue an adminisrtraive review and/or mediation. We would like a quick resolution from either process so we can seek a hearing if necessary, and get our child placed appropriately as early in th school year as possible. But, of course, we would like the best result for our son, and do not want to disregard any strong options we have. My instinct would be to skip the administrative review, since this seems pro forma, is generated from the same office that gave us the IEP and placement we do not like, is not as likely to result in a good outcome. we then would go right to mediation. We are also curious if an advocate would be helpful in this porcess. If anyone has experience making this decision, or has recommendations for good advocates, we'd appreciate your repsonse.