special education preschool for autistic child (Herndon, Fairfax: transfer, neighborhood, school districts)

[LISpecialMom]

I am moving to Fairfax county from upstate newyork to take up a new job. I have a 3 year old son diagnosed with autism who is attending preschool program. He is currently getting very good services, Can somebody please tell me how are the special education services provided in fairfax county. Any information will be helpful for us to decide to move.

[brwneyedgrl]

Fairfax County is where you want to be. My 2 and a half year old is in the Preschool Autism Class (otherwise known as PAC). The ratio is amazing, they use ABA to teach, and he is thriving and improving. They work on communication, social skills, and managing behaviors. It is highly structured and I have only ever heard good things from other parents. I feel very blessed to have these services available at no cost to us.

It was very hard to put my 2.5 year old on a bus for a full day of school BUT he has gained much more from PAC than private ABA.

There is also non-cat class which is a half-day, and the ratio is not as strict. I don't think they focus on ABA as much. There is a wider range of disabilities in the non-cat class. I imagine my son will transition to non-cat soon since he's made so much progress in PAC.

[choff5]

Originally Posted by LISpecialMom

I am moving to Fairfax county from upstate newyork to take up a new job. I have a 3 year old son diagnosed with autism who is attending preschool program. He is currently getting very good services, Can somebody please tell me how are the special education services provided in fairfax county. Any information will be helpful for us to decide to move.

I'm sure you want the personal experiences, but here is also a link to FCPS website about it, Fairfax County Public Schools: Special Education Instruction:Early Childhood Identification and Services: Summary of Services. Check out the other links there too. I'm assuming he currently has an IEP. If so, he can immediately get services. Contact FCPS and let them know. Programs are throughout the county but not at every elementary school so he may not attend your neighborhood school but one nearby that covers your neighborhood school. Having a current IEP will definitely speed up the process. Good luck and welcome!

[LISpecialMom]

Thanks for providing me this information. I am really happy to know that FCPS has such good preschool program for kids on the spectrum. Can you please tell me which pyramid does your child's school fall under. I have previously heard lot of bad things about NOVA special ed services due to which we were not able to make the decision to move.

[Nova Mom]

Saturday March 1st, Fairfax will host its annual Special Education Conference. Fairfax County Public Schools: Special Services: Special Services: Special Education Conference
The conference is excellent; hundreds of Fairfax residents attend every year. In addition to choices of workshops, there is an exhibit hall where they have vendors and providers. I believe that this conference is hosted by the Parent Resource Center. The Parent Resource Center is awesome! Maybe start by contacting them with any questions or concerns you may have about services in Fairfax.

[amarv79]

I am trying to move to Herndon and get some info on PAC near to Herndon. Or PAC location is decided by services?
As I haven't moved till so I would like to decide which location based on PAC. Any inputs regarding Fairfax country (preferably near to Herndon) would help.

Thanks.

[choff5]

Originally Posted by amarv79

I am trying to move to Herndon and get some info on PAC near to Herndon. Or PAC location is decided by services?
As I haven't moved till so I would like to decide which location based on PAC. Any inputs regarding Fairfax country (preferably near to Herndon) would help.

Thanks.

Every state or district seems to have their own acronyms. What is PAC? Not familiar with it in FCPS, at least I'm not.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by choff5

Every state or district seems to have their own acronyms. What is PAC? Not familiar with it in FCPS, at least I'm not.

[LEFT]Preschool autism class (PAC) services are designed to address the specific needs of preschool-age children who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder or present characteristics on the autism spectrum, and who cannot benefit from the early childhood class-based program. The program uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavior (VB) to foster communication, social skills, appropriate behavior and other skill development. Classes are designed with a reduced adult to student ratio and systematic instruction is provided in a highly structured setting to maximize learning.

Fairfax County Public Schools: Special Education Instruction:Early Childhood Identification and Services: Summary of Services

[/LEFT]

[Zack]

Does anyone know if they transfer from another school district to Fairfax as to whether they will automatically transfer into one of their autism pre-school programs.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Zack

Does anyone know if they transfer from another school district to Fairfax as to whether they will automatically transfer into one of their autism pre-school programs.

not sure how you are "transferring from another school district", as the actual program refers to "pre-school". If your children are old enough to be in schools in other school districts, they won't qualify for a pre-school program in Fairfax.