What's a GA GNet center? (Atlanta: attorney, private school, cost)

[amused8]

Does anyone have actual experience with GA GNet facilities or Psychoed Centers?

[CMMom]

In my experience, only the most severely disturbed and/or disruptive students who cannot be served even within an EBD classroom in a regular school attend such programs. For example, children with psychotic disorders, severe behavioral difficulties (not just run of the mill "bad" kids), and severely autistic (e.g., self-injurious or unpredictable/aggressive) children would fit criteria. The child must have "failed" multiple other "less restrictive" settings in order to be referred to a psychoed center. Just my opinion, but if my child was that severe, I would be looking for the public school system to pay for placement in a private school environment specific to his/her needs.

[lastminutemom]

I don't have actual experience but have never heard much good.

Are you familiar with list listserve..

GA-ChildrensNetwork : GA Children's Network (GCN)

I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. You need to join it and post your question there. There are lots of really smart people there.

Private placement generally comes only after failed public school placement and with litigation. A few years ago, the Supreme Court made it much tougher on parents to fight such fights. However, I think your advocate or an attorney (I know a good one if you need her) can possibly negotiate a cost sharing situation.

Finally, are you sure there is a private placement that will work in metro Atlanta? Do you have a sense that your child's social issues can improve? (Not to be pessimistic, but knowing this will help you plan your next steps.)

[amused8]

Thanks for the input guys. We have our continued IEP meeting tomorrow and just today decided we NEEDED an attorney there. I feel a little better about going into this meeting now. We will NOT be accepting a GNet placement if that's the direction. We also don't want little to no support while they "collect data" and watch my son fail in an unsupported environment so that they can claim GNet. What we need is a skilled para in a small classroom environment, with possible cyber learning within school to keep him academically challenged, on a reduced school day. Also, lots of evaluations, pragmatic speech, sensory, psychological. And a very detailed BIP. I hope we don't have to fight too hard for what he's going to need, but probably will.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by amused8

Thanks for the input guys. We have our continued IEP meeting tomorrow and just today decided we NEEDED an attorney there. I feel a little better about going into this meeting now. We will NOT be accepting a GNet placement if that's the direction. We also don't want little to no support while they "collect data" and watch my son fail in an unsupported environment so that they can claim GNet. What we need is a skilled para in a small classroom environment, with possible cyber learning within school to keep him academically challenged, on a reduced school day. Also, lots of evaluations, pragmatic speech, sensory, psychological. And a very detailed BIP. I hope we don't have to fight too hard for what he's going to need, but probably will.

I expect you will have a huge fight. But please let us know how it goes.

[amused8]

Well, we DID get action at that last meeting with the attorney present. We were presented some options (which should have been covered the VERY FIRST meeting) and they weren't just GNets, but real solutions. Process isn't over yet but we are making head way.