Anonymous
07/19/2025 16:52
Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
OP - I think your only options for individual instruction without any other kids present would be home/hospital or a virtual program. Honestly, since he is above grade level academically, I would not over stress about the academic piece.
Maybe once you're set up with one of these, you could try easing back into group activities. I'd recommend these options as ways to work back to school:
-spending time in preferred activities in public settings with other people present but not with any interaction (e.g., playing a game in a park, going ice skating or trampoline park, shopping in a preferred store)
-playdates with 1 other kid (family friend or neighborhood teenager maybe)
-spending time near schools (e.g., basketball court) when school isn't in session
-small group activities/classes (sport, theater, any preferred activity etc.; there are different organizations that have activities for children with special needs)
-group therapy/social skills group
Maybe once you're set up with one of these, you could try easing back into group activities. I'd recommend these options as ways to work back to school:
-spending time in preferred activities in public settings with other people present but not with any interaction (e.g., playing a game in a park, going ice skating or trampoline park, shopping in a preferred store)
-playdates with 1 other kid (family friend or neighborhood teenager maybe)
-spending time near schools (e.g., basketball court) when school isn't in session
-small group activities/classes (sport, theater, any preferred activity etc.; there are different organizations that have activities for children with special needs)
-group therapy/social skills group
Anonymous
07/19/2025 13:08
Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
My kid did with a similar profile did great at RICA. I would encourage you to at least ask for a referral.
Admission to RICA is made by the medical staff, not the school. If the therapeutic staff believes this is the right placement and they can help him, he will be admitted. The medical admission goes through a separate door from the school. During the intake, there will not be a school visit.
RICA used to have an elem school. After Covid, there weren't enough elem referals to keep the elem teacher on staff so at the moment, they don't have one. BUT the principal wants to bring the elem school back. So if you were to be admitted, they would need to staff the position. Summer is a great time to start this process.
When my kid was in the elem school, there were only 4-5 kids (think one room schoolhouse). There was a teacher + at least one para in the room. The elem is in a separate wing from the MS and HS. They have the space and support staff to support him 1:1 in the beginning and then slowly integrate him into the larger class.
Admission to RICA is made by the medical staff, not the school. If the therapeutic staff believes this is the right placement and they can help him, he will be admitted. The medical admission goes through a separate door from the school. During the intake, there will not be a school visit.
RICA used to have an elem school. After Covid, there weren't enough elem referals to keep the elem teacher on staff so at the moment, they don't have one. BUT the principal wants to bring the elem school back. So if you were to be admitted, they would need to staff the position. Summer is a great time to start this process.
When my kid was in the elem school, there were only 4-5 kids (think one room schoolhouse). There was a teacher + at least one para in the room. The elem is in a separate wing from the MS and HS. They have the space and support staff to support him 1:1 in the beginning and then slowly integrate him into the larger class.
Anonymous
07/19/2025 13:00
Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:Similar to an earlier PP, my child made drastic improvement in the 1 year of COVID and being at home. He went from not being accepted at Rica and other schools due to his extreme behaviors to being fully mainstreamed on a 504. Interestingly, his psychiatrist said it happened to several of his patients. It was about the only group who benefited from the closures.
I highly recommend you give him a year of homeschool. I know too well how hard this is financially, but for many of these kids who are close to full burnout, they truly need the change of scenery. Teach him what he’s interested in learning and focus on his mental health. You can finish the school part of the day in just a couple of hours and then the rest of the day can focus on preferred activities. Try to find the happiness again.
OP here: this makes so much sense. Thank you. I’m so want to see this kid happy and learning again.
Anonymous
07/19/2025 12:58
Subject: DS can’t handle group learning settings (MCPS)
Anonymous wrote:How long ago were you rejected from home and hospital? It might be worth revisiting now that your child has been rejected from CIEP's placements. Perhaps they would consider it now.
To answer your question - I do not think there are special ed programs that provide instruction without any other students there (other than home/hospital).
OP here: we applied while we were in the IEP development process shortly after I started keeping him home. Given how the school visits have gone I agree that it’s worth reapplying.