To make things somewhat clearer the issue is that a lot of school teams will turn down requests for an IEP even if you have one from a different school system. This just to a friend's son coming in from out of state last fall to start K. He had services in his old state for three year, but MCPS "reevaluated" and said he did not fit their criteria for needing an IEP. They had to get an advocate and a lawyer and it took them half the year to get this resolved.

If you go through PEP the school teams basically follow their recommendations. I don't know whether it's a respect thing, the district formally or informally asks them to do this or what but out of maybe 7 families I know who did PEP I don't know a single one without an IEP going into K. Of the about 10 families I know with SN children I know of 2 that got IEPs but it was only after attorney got involved. The rest have 504s or nothing at all.

Frankly you have moved to a resource constrained school district that has a reputation for being litigious and rigid when a kid doesn't easily fit into a certain program. You will need to deal with them for K and beyond.

But most families find the PEP / early childhood programs to be of high quality and easier to work with. And they do a good job advocating for 'their' kids who are transitioning K. Some families who have declined PEP-type services have had a very difficult time getting appropriate K services and placements on their own. The school team will not just take the services outlined in your current IEP but will revisit.

An IEP from a different jurisdiction means you won't have trouble qualifying for services - but the kind of services and frequency is up to the new IEP team (now the PEP people and for K the school team).

But what PPs are saying is you should consider using all the PEP services you can AND also continue with your private preschool and ABA.

Anonymous wrote:Even though K placement may be a tough call, your main issue now is just getting him in the system with an IEP before K.

I have a kid pretty similar to yours in terms of being smart and verbal but with social communication issues and anxiety around new things and transitions. But, no real behavior problems and academically on target (with support bc his ASD prevents him from following along with what the group is doing).

The more intensive MCPS programs are for either non-verbal/minimally verbal expressive language, behavioral issues or cognitive delay. The county may find that your son's verbal issues warrant one of the more intensive programs.

But, just take the steps needed right now for pre-k and see what they have for you. That at least gets you onto their radar for services now and being able to continue with an IEP into K.

I'm feeling a little lost - but we have an IEP. It's been transferred here and we are awaiting placement. From my understanding, they update the IEP every year. Is there an additional/different IEP that we will need before K? Your post insinuates that his current IEP isn't enough - unless I'm missing something? Why would they discount their previous IEP? If this is untrue, then this isn't my issue because I already have this completed. My point is that, while he qualifies, I'm unsure if it's the best fit for him to do well. They have also told me that his IEP will remain intact regardless of our use of the county programs that he qualifies for, as they are voluntary. I don't think they can penalize anyone for not using their programs, especially if what I'm reading is true and in summary seemed watered down to me....

Even though K placement may be a tough call, your main issue now is just getting him in the system with an IEP before K.

I have a kid pretty similar to yours in terms of being smart and verbal but with social communication issues and anxiety around new things and transitions. But, no real behavior problems and academically on target (with support bc his ASD prevents him from following along with what the group is doing).

The more intensive MCPS programs are for either non-verbal/minimally verbal expressive language, behavioral issues or cognitive delay. The county may find that your son's verbal issues warrant one of the more intensive programs.

But, just take the steps needed right now for pre-k and see what they have for you. That at least gets you onto their radar for services now and being able to continue with an IEP into K.

Gosh, OP. That's tough. In MCPS there really isn't a great placement for kids with high cognitive ability and those kinds of issues after PEP. He still young and does have a few years and maybe you'll be able to see enough progress during that time to mainstream him.

How do the major issues with transitions, non-preferred activities manifest themselves?

Sorry - yes, he's moderate to severe with respect to his Echolalia and behavioral issues that don't allow him to show his true cognitive ability. He has major issues with transitions, non preferred activities, and socially engaging. He is very smart and very verbal, just not overly communicative. He scripts 90% of the time and the rest is just rote language he's learned from us "do you want a glass of milk?" Means he wants milk.

He never has been aggressive or upset in any classroom, but clearly was on the sidelines and not interactive.

I'm with PP in my confusion about how your DC is actually doing.

Some of your descriptions make him sound like he's a very high functioning/Aspie kid who is doing well in a mainstream preschool. But then you said his ASD is severe. There's a huge difference between those presentations.

Is the ABA or the teacher/administrator making the call to keep him out of the classroom?

It depends on how MCPS views your child's needs. There are more intensive programs and perhaps your child will qualify for them. I guess my point was that if you wanted to maintain your private placement, the half-day program could work.

But, if your child's needs are more intensive, then MCPS could provide a more intensive program for pre-k. It's the K placement that becomes dicier bc they don't have a lot of offerings for higher functioning kids. But, I'm a little confused bc in some of your posts, you say he is higher functioning (just speech issues and social ) but in others say that he is not.

My son qualified for speech, OT social skills and academic supports but is still being mainstreamed in the county school for K. He qualified for 1/2 day PEP for pre-k.

I guess we are all saying that the bottom line is that you should accept pre-k help from the county so you aren't screwed for K.