Atlanta Public Schools, son with Aspergers (home, transfer to, school district) - Georgia (GA) - City-Data Forum

amused8 · 08-07-2013, 09:26 AM

My 12 year old son has Aspergers and we are in the process of finding him placement within the Atlanta Public School system. We just had his first IEP meeting and the staff is trying to find an appropriate place for him. He needs a self contained class room with one on one instruction (or nearly one on one). His past catagory of service was EBD but we're getting it revised to Autism/OHI. His private school with a four to one ratio closed just this summer. There have to be other kids who have high functioning autism who go to Atlanta Public Schools! Not all parents can afford private school. Where are middle school students being placed when there are emotional, behavioral needs, as well as, sensory and gifted/high IQ needs which need to be met? Thanks

residinghere2007 · 08-07-2013, 10:58 AM

The state of Georgia runs a program where children with special needs can get a scholarship to go to private schools or can transfer to another public school district within the state that offers the assistance that that child needs.

Here is a link for more information: Special Needs Scholarship Program

I would look into the program if you haven't already. Also, I find, as an APS parent that the administration staff are not always helpful at times. My child does not have special needs and I have had to...go at it with them a few times in the past until we started at the current charter school my child attends.

I hope you are able to find a good school for your son.

deacongirl · 08-07-2013, 11:14 AM

I don't know, but if he has qualifying scores the Davidson Institute Young Scholar's program can help with advocacy.

deacongirl · 08-07-2013, 11:16 AM

Also check out Wrightslaw website and the book From Emotions to Advocacy.

lastminutemom · 08-07-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by residinghere2007

The state of Georgia runs a program where children with special needs can get a scholarship to go to private schools or can transfer to another public school district within the state that offers the assistance that that child needs.

Here is a link for more information: Special Needs Scholarship Program

I would look into the program if you haven't already. Also, I find, as an APS parent that the administration staff are not always helpful at times. My child does not have special needs and I have had to...go at it with them a few times in the past until we started at the current charter school my child attends.

I hope you are able to find a good school for your son.

The child wasn't enrolled in public school last year, they won't be eligible for the program you referenced.

I don't have a ton of advice-- have you reached out to the local support groups to see what other parents are experiencing?

deacongirl · 08-07-2013, 02:56 PM

This forum could be helpful:
Twice Exceptional - Gifted Issues Discussion Forum

amused8 · 08-07-2013, 06:16 PM

Ah yes, the SB-10! No, we did not qualify at the private school which closed because he couldn't make it through the entire 5th grade...his placement was THAT bad (EBD self contained). So we pulled him out and put him into the private therapeutic school. Now that it's closed, similar options are too costly. We have to make it through at least this year of public school to get the SB-10 scholarship for his remaining schooling, we simply can't afford private rates of nearly 28,000 a year (scholarship help would hopefully bring it back down to the 20 range). Plan B would be to use a cyber academy (GA public) and home school him. This, however, doesn't help him deal with his social interactions and attacking his anxiety, shuttering him in a home learning environment.

It's just so hard to believe there are no children like mine being educated within the Atlanta Public School system (High IQ, anxiety, ADHD, Aspergers, emotional regulation problems). I don't mind driving him where ever placement might be. In the IEP meeting yesterday they acted like they had no idea where they could serve him. Blank stares and "we have to make some phone calls". Schools started and I'm still waiting to hear something! The good news is I DO have an advocate working with me and she's very good.

amused8 · 08-07-2013, 06:17 PM

Oh, and I DO have the "From Emotions to Advocacy" book and am reading it now.

LovelySummer · 08-07-2013, 08:33 PM

Hubbie teaches in aps so i'll ask him. Ur advocate cannot give u the info u need? I'd hold his/her feet to the fire until I got info.

lastminutemom · 08-07-2013, 08:41 PM

I would guess that there aren't many children like your son in APS. For the most part, kids who need high level instruction are not well accommodated in small public school settings in secondary school. Most middle school special ed teachers are not certified in multiple content areas and therefore, would struggle to teach certain subjects. More and more special ed students are forced into inclusion settings, whether or not it is a good fit.

One thought -- I wonder if the system would embrace you using a cyber class situation within a traditional school. This way the level of instruction might be appropriate but he would be afforded the opportunity for structured social interactions during electives, for example, and it would solve the school avoidance issue.