need a good school for autistic son (Fairfax: homes, school district)

[yaya77]

hi I made another post about this in a previous blog but I feel I need to be more detailed. my son is now 13 years old. we live in the loudoun country school district in Virginia. we moved to Virginia when my son was 4 years old. at the time he could not speak very well and still used a lot of gibberish and the sign language he was taught in Seattle.

the Fairfax county school really helped him along with my ability to stay at home with him.he began talking and later was able to even read. both of which Seattle said would never happen. when my son was 10 he was reading and writing at age level. his math skills were also good. one grade behind. That year we had to move out of the district to loudoun county. I went back to work and I noticed a marked difference. he slowly began to regress.
the schools here want him to be mainly not included in most class studies. they refuse to challenge him much and now at age 13 he is reading at a 4th grade level. he also tries to mimic the other kids in his special needs classroom. he is frequently bullied and on top of going through puberty it is a real struggle.

we are willing to move anywhere now in the lower 48 to help our son. my husband can work in most states because of his job. but if you have any ideas as far as Virginia is concerned it would be appreciated. if you know of any scholarship programs for private schools also would be helpful. thank you so much for your help.

[nmeeda]

Hmm I heard that loudoun county schools best for inclusion, I am father of 11 and planning to move loudoun county, but this post making me think once again.

I saw its oldest post, but if you could share your experience that would really help full

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by nmeeda

I saw its oldest post, but if you could share your experience that would really help full

\\The last time that poster was at this site was 12 years ago. Doubt you'll be getting an update.

[NicoleKMB]

Originally Posted by yaya77

hi I made another post about this in a previous blog but I feel I need to be more detailed. my son is now 13 years old. we live in the loudoun country school district in Virginia. we moved to Virginia when my son was 4 years old. at the time he could not speak very well and still used a lot of gibberish and the sign language he was taught in Seattle.

the Fairfax county school really helped him along with my ability to stay at home with him.he began talking and later was able to even read. both of which Seattle said would never happen. when my son was 10 he was reading and writing at age level. his math skills were also good. one grade behind. That year we had to move out of the district to loudoun county. I went back to work and I noticed a marked difference. he slowly began to regress.
the schools here want him to be mainly not included in most class studies. they refuse to challenge him much and now at age 13 he is reading at a 4th grade level. he also tries to mimic the other kids in his special needs classroom. he is frequently bullied and on top of going through puberty it is a real struggle.

we are willing to move anywhere now in the lower 48 to help our son. my husband can work in most states because of his job. but if you have any ideas as far as Virginia is concerned it would be appreciated. if you know of any scholarship programs for private schools also would be helpful. thank you so much for your help.

As a woman who recently worked in a special education classroom - in iowa- and a mother of a child on the spectrum, I can honestly say if your child is separated into a special education classroom then you’re better off homeschooling them if at all possible. That’s just my personal experience, as a mother of a unique learner, I was extremely unimpressed and saddened at the education given to children who are behind grade level.

[VA Yankee]

As you are responding on a 12 year old post anyone needing Special Education options for their child should speak with the school division SPED Department for a district they are considering. You as the parent need to decide if what they can offer is adequate for your child's needs and if an IEP/504 is already in place they can state if they have the resources to support it.