Possibly relocating to southern Maryland, special needs

[rivergirl713]

Hi there! I am new here but have been reading through some of the info about the area and keep coming across old threads from 5+ years ago. Just wondering if anything has changed since they were originally posted. We are a young family possibly relocating from TX to the area. My husband would be working on the base as a civilian so we are looking for a place that is a convenient drive to live. We will likely rent first to familiarize ourselves with the area before buying.

Can anyone recommend some places to start? My oldest son is currently in a wonderful 3 day a week play-based christian preschool, anyone know of anything in the area like that? My younger son has special needs and will be starting the preschool program for children with disabilities here in a few weeks and would likely do something similar there. He needs Speech, feeding therapy, and OT in addition to what he receives through the school district, so I guess we are also looking for a town in the area that can offer those therapies within close driving distance since we go nearly 5+ times a week. Additionally we are looking for a good school district for special needs particularly the preschool program (as well as typical children), and a nice preschool that is affordable for my older son to attend before he starts kindergarten next year all within about 30-45 min max drive to the base.

I realize it may not be possible to find something that offers all that, but would like the closest thing possible. Any suggestions? Thanks everyone!

 

[Restless]

There was a thread awhile back started by a lady who was possibly moving here from California. Her name was NurseSherri. If you type that in the search area here, you will probably find it or do a search on relocating here. There are lots of threads that should be very helpful. I will have to say that you probably will not find all the services you probably have in Texas if you are near a big city there. Most advanced medical care is usually referred to Washington DC or Baltimore. We have one hospital for the whole county. Anything really serious is flown by helicopter to the big hospitals in DC.

There are several good Christian preschools in the area. I'm not sure that any of them have programs for children with disabilities. It would be wise to rent in the California area as that is kind of centrally located.

Please feel free to message me if I can be of more help! My hubby grew up in San Antonio and Wichita Falls (Air Force brat).

 

[MarieB]

I sent you a pm

Restless pointed out something that I forgot to mention in that pm. My an did have some special medical needs when we got here, and for some of that we did have to head up to children's in DC. Hopefully a good pediatrician can help point you in the right direction too

 

[acommondisaster]

ARC of Southern Maryland can help you with what resources are available for your special needs son. We moved here from Hawaii when our special needs daughter was 18 months. She was immediately put into an early intervention program (not through ARC, but through the county) that included OT, PT, speech therapy; some of it was done right in our home. ARC can help point you in the right direction.
http://www.arcsomd.org/

 

[rivergirl713]

There was a thread awhile back started by a lady who was possibly moving here from California. Her name was NurseSherri. If you type that in the search area here, you will probably find it or do a search on relocating here. There are lots of threads that should be very helpful. I will have to say that you probably will not find all the services you probably have in Texas if you are near a big city there. Most advanced medical care is usually referred to Washington DC or Baltimore. We have one hospital for the whole county. Anything really serious is flown by helicopter to the big hospitals in DC.

There are several good Christian preschools in the area. I'm not sure that any of them have programs for children with disabilities. It would be wise to rent in the California area as that is kind of centrally located.

Please feel free to message me if I can be of more help! My hubby grew up in San Antonio and Wichita Falls (Air Force brat).

Thanks for the tip about the Nurse Sherri posts. I read through a lot of them and I think I have a better idea of some of the areas. There are a lot of really helpful posters here! As far as Christian preschools go, my special needs son would likely be going through the school district, my older son is typical and the preschool would be for him. I would love a few recommendations if you know of any good ones.

I think your advice on the California area seems pretty consistent with what I have found already online and our needs. I think we might look to rent in the Leonardtown, California, and possibly Hollywood areas since they seem relatively close to the base and Speech therapy options that I have found. That being said, are there any areas I should avoid? Thanks so much for your help! I don't remember exactly how I found this forum but I am really thankful for it already. It has been very helpful so far!

 

[rivergirl713]

ARC of Southern Maryland can help you with what resources are available for your special needs son. We moved here from Hawaii when our special needs daughter was 18 months. She was immediately put into an early intervention program (not through ARC, but through the county) that included OT, PT, speech therapy; some of it was done right in our home. ARC can help point you in the right direction.
http://www.arcsomd.org/

Thank you! This is so helpful. As I'm sure you know, I just needed a couple of good recommendations to give me a starting place for finding services my son is now 3 and too old for early intervention but they were great when we had them. We also got all our therapies right in our home. Thanks again, this will give me something to go off of.

 

[rivergirl713]

I sent you a pm

Restless pointed out something that I forgot to mention in that pm. My an did have some special medical needs when we got here, and for some of that we did have to head up to children's in DC. Hopefully a good pediatrician can help point you in the right direction too

Got your message, thanks. My sons special needs are mostly all developmental at this point. There is always a possibility of needing to see a specialist occasionally, but in general we should be ok with Speech and OT (which can also help with feeding therapy). Once we figure out where we are living, I will be looking for a good pediatrician so that will come next.

 

[desertrat]

Hi there! I am new here but have been reading through some of the info about the area and keep coming across old threads from 5+ years ago. Just wondering if anything has changed since they were originally posted. We are a young family possibly relocating from TX to the area. My husband would be working on the base as a civilian so we are looking for a place that is a convenient drive to live. We will likely rent first to familiarize ourselves with the area before buying.

Can anyone recommend some places to start? My oldest son is currently in a wonderful 3 day a week play-based christian preschool, anyone know of anything in the area like that? My younger son has special needs and will be starting the preschool program for children with disabilities here in a few weeks and would likely do something similar there. He needs Speech, feeding therapy, and OT in addition to what he receives through the school district, so I guess we are also looking for a town in the area that can offer those therapies within close driving distance since we go nearly 5+ times a week. Additionally we are looking for a good school district for special needs particularly the preschool program (as well as typical children), and a nice preschool that is affordable for my older son to attend before he starts kindergarten next year all within about 30-45 min max drive to the base.

I realize it may not be possible to find something that offers all that, but would like the closest thing possible. Any suggestions? Thanks everyone!

Town Creek is a nice are. I don't know about the special needs stuff, but my kids had good schools. Just so happens my house just went up for sale. Check your in box I will send a link. I used to work on base and it is 4 miles to the first gate. Close to all shopping and other stores.

 

[BernieP]

Town Creek is a nice are. I don't know about the special needs stuff, but my kids had good schools. Just so happens my house just went up for sale. Check your in box I will send a link. I used to work on base and it is 4 miles to the first gate. Close to all shopping and other stores.

It's been a while since my kids were in school. At one time Town Creek ES was THE BEST in the county. But with staff turnover I don't know what it's like today. One reason it was top notch was parent participation, good involvement in PTA and school activities. Staff was also stable, but some of those teachers have now retired. Hell, they were on the second generation of families 12 years ago

It's really difficult for families with special needs children as the requirements are so varied and it's hard to predict how each school will respond.

ARC was a good resource, there is also another group that will help you advocate for your child. That's probably the biggest thing you need to know, YOU have to be the advocate, don't count on the school.

 

[Bann]

The Arc of Southern Maryland provides residential (and related services) and supported employment to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. They do not have services for children, but there is a Family Services resource person who can provide some guidance on the various resources available in the southern Maryland area. I have a 23 yo son who receives some supported employment services through the Arc. They are an agency (there are many) licensed in the state of Maryland (under the Developmental Disabilities Administration) to provide those services, but to adults. Special Educational needs to children under the age of 21 come under the Department of Education.

If you are interested, there is a "Parent Support" page at each of the counties' school website. I would go to each one and take a look. You can get a contact name and call that person directly to get individualized information for your child's special educational needs/requirements

Calvert County - http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/specialed/partnersforsuccess.asp

Charles County - http://www.ccboe.com/community/parents/parentscenter.php

St Mary's County - http://www.smcps.org/se/partners-for-success-program

hope this helps!

 

[rivergirl713]

The Arc of Southern Maryland provides residential (and related services) and supported employment to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. They do not have services for children, but there is a Family Services resource person who can provide some guidance on the various resources available in the southern Maryland area. I have a 23 yo son who receives some supported employment services through the Arc. They are an agency (there are many) licensed in the state of Maryland (under the Developmental Disabilities Administration) to provide those services, but to adults. Special Educational needs to children under the age of 21 come under the Department of Education.

If you are interested, there is a "Parent Support" page at each of the counties' school website. I would go to each one and take a look. You can get a contact name and call that person directly to get individualized information for your child's special educational needs/requirements

Calvert County - http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/specialed/partnersforsuccess.asp

Charles County - http://www.ccboe.com/community/parents/parentscenter.php

St Mary's County - http://www.smcps.org/se/partners-for-success-program

hope this helps!

All of this is very helpful, thank you!

 

[acommondisaster]

The Arc of Southern Maryland provides residential (and related services) and supported employment to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. They do not have services for children, but there is a Family Services resource person who can provide some guidance on the various resources available in the southern Maryland area. I have a 23 yo son who receives some supported employment services through the Arc. They are an agency (there are many) licensed in the state of Maryland (under the Developmental Disabilities Administration) to provide those services, but to adults. Special Educational needs to children under the age of 21 come under the Department of Education.

If you are interested, there is a "Parent Support" page at each of the counties' school website. I would go to each one and take a look. You can get a contact name and call that person directly to get individualized information for your child's special educational needs/requirements

Calvert County - http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/specialed/partnersforsuccess.asp

Charles County - http://www.ccboe.com/community/parents/parentscenter.php

St Mary's County - http://www.smcps.org/se/partners-for-success-program

hope this helps!

I mentioned ARC because I figured they'd be the easiest resource to point her in the right direction no matter where she wound up living and could guide her where she needs to get the right help for her child's needs. Glad you fleshed that out much better than I did.

I didn't realize that kids aged out of early intervention by the age of 3; I guess things have changed a bit since my daughter was that age.

 

[Development]

Good afternoon Rivergirl713

I'm the Development Manager at The Arc of Southern Maryland. First let me say thank you to everyone who mentioned/referred us as a resource! That is one of our goals and missions. We strive to be a community resource and to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. In following the thread, I read where someone posted that we primarily work with adults with developmental disabilities. That is true. We also work with youth while they are still in high school to help them have a smoother transition once they exit the school system. We also have a family resource coordinator. They work more with the families that have young children.

Rivergirl713, someone has kindly posted our website address: www.arcsomd.org. I would also like to provide you with my contact information as well. That way you can communicate with me directly, and hopefully I can answer any questions that you have about our organization. My email is: development@arcsomd.org.

I look forward to communicating with you!

 

[maxima87]

It's been a while since my kids were in school. At one time Town Creek ES was THE BEST in the county. But with staff turnover I don't know what it's like today. One reason it was top notch was parent participation, good involvement in PTA and school activities. Staff was also stable, but some of those teachers have now retired. Hell, they were on the second generation of families 12 years ago

It's really difficult for families with special needs children as the requirements are so varied and it's hard to predict how each school will respond.

ARC was a good resource, there is also another group that will help you advocate for your child. That's probably the biggest thing you need to know, YOU have to be the advocate, don't count on the school.

My children currently go there and it is an AMAZING school still!! That being said, since don't have a PreK program (not sure of the OP children's ages) those children go to Green Holly. Green Holly has A LOT of programs for special needs children there. Infants and Toddlers program, Head Start, Speech Therapy, etc.

 

[rivergirl713]

Good afternoon Rivergirl713

I'm the Development Manager at The Arc of Southern Maryland. First let me say thank you to everyone who mentioned/referred us as a resource! That is one of our goals and missions. We strive to be a community resource and to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. In following the thread, I read where someone posted that we primarily work with adults with developmental disabilities. That is true. We also work with youth while they are still in high school to help them have a smoother transition once they exit the school system. We also have a family resource coordinator. They work more with the families that have young children.

Rivergirl713, someone has kindly posted our website address: www.arcsomd.org. I would also like to provide you with my contact information as well. That way you can communicate with me directly, and hopefully I can answer any questions that you have about our organization. My email is: development@arcsomd.org.

I look forward to communicating with you!

Thank you very much "Development." As our time frame becomes more clear, I will be in touch. I am so relieved finding all this information. Finding services for my son has been a bit challenging where we are living but fortunately I know several people who I can ask for direction. The thought of moving across the country without knowing anyone and still needing to find therapies was overwhelming. This really helps! Thanks again!

 

[rivergirl713]

My children currently go there and it is an AMAZING school still!! That being said, since don't have a PreK program (not sure of the OP children's ages) those children go to Green Holly. Green Holly has A LOT of programs for special needs children there. Infants and Toddlers program, Head Start, Speech Therapy, etc.

I have seen several posts about town creek and it sounds really good, I think we will certainly try to live within the boundaries for the school. My boys are 3 and almost 5 so kindergarten is right around the corner for my oldest. My youngest is the one with special needs, that is good to know that green holly is the one with the pre k programs, I hadn't heard of it yet and look forward to finding more info on it.

I really didn't know what kind of response to expect here, thank you all! You are so kind and helpful, I really appreciate it. We have absolutely no ties to the area so all of this info really helps. Thanks!

 

[FASTPITCHDAD]

I do not have young children and have no personal experience with them but, here is a link to a preschool I've heard good things about.

http://hmcpreschool.com/

 

[acommondisaster]

I have seen several posts about town creek and it sounds really good, I think we will certainly try to live within the boundaries for the school. My boys are 3 and almost 5 so kindergarten is right around the corner for my oldest. My youngest is the one with special needs, that is good to know that green holly is the one with the pre k programs, I hadn't heard of it yet and look forward to finding more info on it.

I really didn't know what kind of response to expect here, thank you all! You are so kind and helpful, I really appreciate it. We have absolutely no ties to the area so all of this info really helps. Thanks!

Don't hesitate to ask - there are some people with good resources here who'll point you in the right direction. You'll find a few negative Nancies, but pay them no mind.