Nikki
1 post
16-Jul-2008
5:59 PM
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Thank you for having such a wonderful network for families. I don't think I've ever felt so alone in my life - when I found out my daughter Bella had ASD... and today for the first time I finally felt as if I was standing with others in this battle.
Click after click, I found something new, informative, comforting and encouraging. We live in Fairfax County right now (parents at kiss and ride just keep rolling - no one connects to each other) from this site, I feel as there is a hand open and welcoming.
Our house in Stone Ridge will be complete Aug 8th. I know how backed-up Fairfax County was to get Bella into her Preschool Autism Class/early intervention - so I've been talking with Special Ed. administrators since Jan 08 to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible;) But I cannot register until we physically live in Loudoun. Do you think she will be able to get her IEP done, registered and all before the start of school?
The administrator handling this gave me the same speech from FCounty - we want to give her the "less restrictive" environment- yeah - but I need her in an autism class, like in Fairfax. The numbers are huge in Fairfax County (classes/teachers) compared to Loudoun. Have you been happy with the services/classes you've received? The resources seem pretty plentiful - I just don't like not knowing where she will attend.
It has taken Bella since Jan. to stop crying when I drop her off. She loves her lead teacher so much. It tears me up that we will have to start all over again. Is this more my worry than one for Bella, the change?I've just started this journey. I'm taking the bull by the horns - full steam ahead. But this could be a way I'm hiding my fear.(sorry that was a reflective moment)
To the parents - founders and participants to loco - I appreciate you - thank you for taking the loneliness away.
Oh and how can I get my hands of a t-shirt?
Last Edited on 16-Jul-2008 6:06 PM
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VAXiDAsh
21 post s
23-Jul-2008
5:20 AM
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I've had excellent experiences here in Loudoun County, but there is still work to be done I assure you!! When are you moving?
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Nikki
3 post s
30-Jul-2008
2:56 PM
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We close on the 8th of August!! We can't wait.
I went to visit Legacy this morning to visit their autism program - very nice. i met a very nice OT that will help me and Bella get familiar before school starts (class and teacher visits).
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daddyB04
8 post s
31-Jul-2008
7:29 AM
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Loudoun County is working on doing better for children with Autism and on the Autism Spectrum. My son Ian likes going to school and his teachers do a decent job of helping our son. My son has moved around each year for his schooling because of zoning issues and the schools budget. My son right now is in summer school at Legacy and likes it very much. The teachers there are doing a great job with my son and he likes it very much. When fall comes he will start at Stewart Weller which is a new school off of Loudoun County Parkway. You will always hear something from parents about the school their children attend so it's important you get involved with your child's school and feel comfortable with your child's teachers. I may not be happy with a school my son went to but another parent may feel it was OK. So do your homework.
If your child is going to start therapy then I recommend INOVA Physical Therapy Center. My son was on a waiting list for over a year before he got in but now that he is in he is doing great. The staff is outstanding. I have not met to many people who do a great job and work hard at making sure child gets the help you need. They also do a great job dictating what your child needs help and gives advice on what you can do at home. Since Ian started speech there he is doing so much better. I love the people there. And they expect most insurances. Before Ian got in I had to pay for his therapy which cost a great deal and we had to stop it and wait until we got in at INOVA. So I am happy we got in.
Also there is the Loudoun Project you can look up that is another group that works with parents with autism.
Don't worry about getting your child signed up because I know a few families that moved after school started and where admitted to class. In fact last year a new student started in April and Ian made a new friend so make sure you have all your paper work and medical reviews to show the school admin staff. Hopefully it will all go smooth for you and your family. And welcome to Loudoun County I am glad you are here and I will be more then happy to assit you and your family the best I can.
Bernie
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Nikki
4 post s
18-Aug-2008
8:21 AM
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Thanks Bernie. We moved in last Saturday and are having hopeful hearts for our big move. We're 45 minutes from most of our family. But we needed change - especially to really dive into Bella's recovery.
We might either go to Belmont Station or Stewart Weller w/ you:) Of course, they said their first choice would be my home school of Arcola, which does not have an autism program. But my Fairfax County lead teacher told me that when you move, the next school system should honor your past IEP... which means to give me an autism program (I hope). A teacher is too call me on the 20th to set up our IEP meeting and find out exactly where Bella is going. So I'm just waiting now.We just met w/ a Dr. Conlon in Bethesda for a medical diagnosis (other than the educational one from Fairfax County). So from there and with his diagnosis where do I go from there. Do I contact my insurance? From their site I see that they will cover 90 visits a year (speech, OT, etc.) How do I get into the programs you're talking about? Visit their sites?
Is there usually a long wait for services? I think Bella's will definetly be speech, too. Thanks again!!
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daddyB04
9 post s
18-Aug-2008
3:26 PM
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Nikki, I am glad your move went well. The next step for your daughter is for her to start therapy. I don't know the severity of your daughter but once you call INOVA Physical Therapy Center the admin people will help you schedule a time and place for your daughter to start. Once there the therapist talkes to you and evaluates your child and then tells you what they found. For example the OT therapist told me and my wife our son has Sensory Processing disorder. My son's psychiatrist told us he had ADHD. So once we knew what our son had he started therapy and is doing great. He started speech a few weeks ago because we had to wait for the center to hire more speech therapist. You are correct you will need to check with your insurance to see what is covered. We had to pay for our son's therapy for over a year and it cost us dearly but now we have some help with insurance. Hopefully this new law will be passed so our families can get the help they need.
I hope Bella gets to go to Stuart Weller because the new principle there is fantastic. I got to know her when my son went to the school where she was a vice principle. We live about five minutes away by car so I am glad the school is close because maybe Ian will meet children who live closer to him.
Also look at Autism Speaks web site, and Loudoun Project for more insight from parents with children of various forms of autism.
Not sure where Belmount Station is but if you live within a five mile radius of that school then most likely Bella will go there unless it does not have a IEP program then she will go to a school that does. That is what happen to my son; he has been to four schools now because of zone changes or the school close to us does not have an IEP program.
If you need anything else let me know. Also if you need a good ped for Bella I know of one and a good ear, nose and throat doctor. I do a lot of research on doctor's before my son goes to one and I speak to parents also. Many doctor's have moved to Landsdowne across from the hospital so that is a big help to us since we live close by. I used to have to go to Fairfax which was eating us a live in gas.
Talk to you later and have a super day.
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Nikki
6 post s
19-Aug-2008
11:11 AM
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Bernie-
Which INOVA should I look into, Loudoun, Dulles? I went to the site and there were many campuses, but I didn't know which one you specifically go to.
Thanks.
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daddyB04
10 post s
20-Aug-2008
5:08 PM
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Niki, Here is the number 703-858-6667. INOVA is off of Riverside Parkway right next to the hospital in Lansdowne. The address will say Leesburg which is correct but for some reason most people call that area Landsdowne to seperate it from Leesburg.
Good luck and if you need anything else just ask.
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Nikki
7 post s
21-Aug-2008
9:42 AM
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Thanks Bernie so much!! I just called them and put her the waitlist for speech (several month wait) and for OT (much longer due to limited staff). Should I get something else lined up while I wait? Like the services I've seen on the network?
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daddyB04
11 post s
21-Aug-2008
10:02 AM
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My wife and I did but our insurance didn't cover it so we had to pay out of pocket which was very expensive. School will help because Bella will get one hour of PT, OT, and speech. If you can work with that until INOVA calls then stick with that or if your insurance will help pay for more therapy then go with that. My son requires more then the school offers so that is why we went ahead and paid for it ourselves. Also there are speech therapist who will come to you or you go to them because they work out of the house so that is something you can check into. My son's open house for school is 8/29 at Stuart Weller. Do you know where Bella is going?
Well it's time for my son's OT so got to run. Let me know how you are doing and say hi to Bella for me.
Blessings,
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daddyB04
13 post s
2-Sep-2008
7:27 AM
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How is Bella doing? My son started his first day at the new school and I am happy with the school so far. The new principle there did an excellent job of hiring special needs teachers and giving them the tools to succeed. Hope you are adjusting well to the area and your new home is doing going along smoothly.
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Nikki
11 post s
1-Oct-2008
9:32 AM
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Hey Bernie,
Things are okay.
I've been having a couple of trying days - emotional. I'm trying to take the next step for Bella.
I called INOVA to check where we were on the list and they didn't have my name, shocker. So she put it on now - giving it a Sept 1 estimate-call so I have about 55 people ahead of me.
I'm going to call autism outreach, behavioral directions and children's speech ther. center to see what i can get going.
Bella LOVES school. We were placed at Legacy. Mon-Thurs 7:50-2:30 and 3 Fridays are half day where they go out to the community. 1 Friday a month is for home visits and parent training.
I think we're really blessed with this program. There is a wonderful and passionate lead teacher, 3 IAs one speech and one occ. therapist.
She's so happy every morning - no tears - unlike in her old school.
Right now I just want to give her more. I feel like I'm failing at home - so I need I guess to feel like I'm doing something and then I can take another breath.
I joined the play group - so hopefully we'll be able to meet one of these days.
Oh - we tried JW Tumbles last night - did you go? But Bella was asleep and had a tantrum so we left:(
We'll try again next Tuesday.
I hope Ian is doing well. Have a good one!
Nikki
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Alex911
13 post s
1-Oct-2008
2:53 PM
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Hi Nikki, I also moderate a support group in Potomac Station that meets first Friday of the month (next meeting this Fri Oct 3) from 9-11 AM at the Clubhouse. We have very knowledgable mothers attend and you can pick our brains as well. Michelle Hurst from Autism Outreach is usually there as well so you can set up some ABA-VB for Bella as well. For another Resource List, please visit my website at www.autismpathway.org. If you have any questions, please contact me when you can via the website.
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