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Hello- We are loosely considering relocating to the Charlotte area (from Northern VA/DC area). We have 4 children (ages 8,8,6, and 2) and one of the 8 year olds is on the autism spectrum-high functioning. She is currently in a mainstream classroom with support. My question is, does anyone out there have experience in the IEP/Special Ed world as it relates to schools in and around Charlotte? Are there certain schools/districts to consider or avoid? What has been your experience? We have had to fight tooth and nail for every service here in NoVa.
I don't have a specific answer for you , but I do want to recommend that you check out CharlotteMommies.com. There is a LOT of information on schools and special needs there. You should be able to find your answer and connect with others who can offer advice.
You will have to fight for any and every service you want in CMS. In most schools students are main streamed with NO aid or in a special class.
Good Luck
I don't understand. All students are mainstreamed if they are not "special ed" students. For a regular student to go into a special class, a team of specialists, including the teacher, canselor, special ed teacher, and other pertinent parties must meet and discuss behaviors, observations, assessments and other tools used or needed to properly place the student in question. In any case, an IEP (Individual Eduation Plan) must be developed. It is against federal law to not provide appropriate services for a special needs students.
Hello- We are loosely considering relocating to the Charlotte area (from Northern VA/DC area). We have 4 children (ages 8,8,6, and 2) and one of the 8 year olds is on the autism spectrum-high functioning. She is currently in a mainstream classroom with support. My question is, does anyone out there have experience in the IEP/Special Ed world as it relates to schools in and around Charlotte? Are there certain schools/districts to consider or avoid? What has been your experience? We have had to fight tooth and nail for every service here in NoVa.
I would contact the CMS special education department and ask them what programs are available. There are several schools that specialize in autism with specialists trained in that area. I believe that the key to knowing what services are available is to know federal laws that govern spec. ed. so you won't have to fight tooth and nail and you will be informed enough to demand what you are entitled. The NC Depart. of Education will send you forms that will define federal laws governing autism and all special ed. programs. I believe that the laws were under the program IDEA.
Sometimes a high functioning autistic child is mainstreamed into certain classes if able to perform, etc. That is to satisfy the law of placing the student in "the least restrictive environment." But,everything must be done IAW the decision jointly made at the IEP meeting. Ensure that your child isn't placed in a room for "varied disabilities" which often includes disruptive brats.
Despite the reputation of the CMS system, special ed. is a special category and like the system itself, there are parts of town that excell and others that you want to avoid. If possible, I would personally go to the special department and speak to someone that you might spot that has a brain and discuss your situation.
I have an autistic (high-functioning) stepson. I empathize with your concerns. I have a certification in special ed along with other fields and taught for several years. I know that there are some truly outstanding programs in the county and you will certainly find one. But, as I said, know your rights.
I have been apart of IEP's for a few students in CMS, so I know the process well. I was only speaking about special ed students. Where I am from if a student was special ed but could function in a classroom with help they would receive there own aid to attend all classes with them. This is does not happen often in CMS.
quote=bindibadji;25574805]I don't understand. All students are mainstreamed if they are not "special ed" students. For a regular student to go into a special class, a team of specialists, including the teacher, canselor, special ed teacher, and other pertinent parties must meet and discuss behaviors, observations, assessments and other tools used or needed to properly place the student in question. In any case, an IEP (Individual Eduation Plan) must be developed. It is against federal law to not provide appropriate services for a special needs students.[/quote]
[quote=abri07;25607217]I have been apart of IEP's for a few students in CMS, so I know the process well. I was only speaking about special ed students. Where I am from if a student was special ed but could function in a classroom with help they would receive there own aid to attend all classes with them. This is does not happen often in CMS.
That is done in CMS as well. In many cases, a special ed teacher has his own homeroom but spends the day with assisting his/her assigned students in classes which the student shows a good liklihood of being successful. It is called collaborative or 'co-teaching' and is part of the "least restrictive environment" method. There are numerous programs as you probably are aware. You should decide exactly what you want, present it to the meeting board, and discuss the feasibility after investigating what different schools offer. As I may have mentioned earlier, some schools have more classrooms dedicated to autism than others. My stepson was eventually mainstreamed into history, geography and another class which he was/is very knowledgable and interested. You may not have the school in the neighborhood that you decided to reside, but remember that in most cases, transportation 'must' be provided by the state. Good luck.
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