Since L Solomon's name came up as an advocate...

Positives: if you want to pick a fight immediately during the IEP process in MoCo and make it so unbearable for all involved they all agree to send to CIEP in MoCo, she's absolutely up to the task. Given the profiles listed in this post, frankly I don't see getting to CIEP as a problem.

Negatives: She's overbooked and in my own experience was disengaged when her help was needed the most. Meetings dragged on twice as long as needed just so she could talk about how great she is to everyone involved at every step of the way. She was frankly unbearable. But in the end for me and my dd, she completely fell down on the job at CIEP.

Anonymous wrote:Shepard Pratt and Lourie School are probably your best shot for a private placement if RICA isn't a fit. Prior posters indicated that Ivymount and KTS won't take a student with violent outbursts, and they are correct in my experience.

Except Lourie only goes to 5th grade. By the time they get any kind of placement, the younger kid will be too old. Since they don’t currently have non public on their IEP it would be at least a year I’m guessing.

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure they will want to start the 14 year old in either the ED program, given the behavior has improved recently, or RICA if you argue for that. The 10 year old will probably be recommended for ED. They will want to watch to see how the children do and if things get worse then you can start the private placement process. It can take a really long time, a year sometimes. MCPS like to see children fail badly before they consider private placement.

They will have to move here, get set up in a school, then probably be at the home school for a while until they get through the IEP process. They aren't going to directly be placed in a program. This could take months to a year to get through the IEP. When we transfered our child to MCPS, we started the IEP process at enrollment in the summer with giving them private evaluations and we didn't get an IEP till the spring.

Anonymous wrote:Shepard Pratt and Lourie School are probably your best shot for a private placement if RICA isn't a fit. Prior posters indicated that Ivymount and KTS won't take a student with violent outbursts, and they are correct in my experience.

+1 My kid is at Sheppard Pratt and Ivymount wouldn’t take him. He had lots of elopements but no violence.

Anonymous wrote:You’ll never know unless you try. Ivymount is the gold standard for ASD around here. Have them call the school and ask if their kids fit the profile. Laura Solomon is the most successful advocate for getting students placed at Ivymount. If they can afford it, their best bet may be to agree to pay out of pocket for a few months while going through the placement process.

She's also rigid and unpleasant. Many families hated working with her and were not happy with the results. Strongly do not recommend.

I'm pretty sure they will want to start the 14 year old in either the ED program, given the behavior has improved recently, or RICA if you argue for that. The 10 year old will probably be recommended for ED. They will want to watch to see how the children do and if things get worse then you can start the private placement process. It can take a really long time, a year sometimes. MCPS like to see children fail badly before they consider private placement.

Shepard Pratt and Lourie School are probably your best shot for a private placement if RICA isn't a fit. Prior posters indicated that Ivymount and KTS won't take a student with violent outbursts, and they are correct in my experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - does anyone have knowledge of other MD counties? PG, Howard, Frederick, Anne Arundel?

It’s going to be the same anywhere. No school district is going to place your kids in these schools instantly when you move because you think it’s best. They are easily $80-120k a year plus transportation. You’ll have to move, enroll the kids, get the iep and work through the process.

I definitely get that. But I have a sense that in some places it's a little easier than others (less wait time, less bureaucracy, etc). Because MCPS is so big I know it has a reputation for being super slow.

They will fight you not to place your child except in a rare exception. Lots of parents have to hire advocates and/or sue to get what their child needs. Its not going to be easy.

KTS doesn’t take “behaviors” and is generally below grade level. So no on that.

Ivy mount is also turning away behaviors… Sheppard Pratt - Not sure.

noted by PP -FB special needs groups are the most active place for current info in DMV area. Lots of advocates too.

Private placements have wait lists these days…and are not the miracle they are made out to be. Good luck.