Neurodiverse friendly homeschool coops for older kids

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of having my autistic 8th grader repeat a grade next year, in order to fill in the gaps caused by distance learning. We will need a friendly, accepting coop for socializing and "fun" STEM classes. Assuming that things open up normally, are their coops that would work for us? When I google, most seem to be for younger kids.

[Anonymous]

I think you’d need to be very honest with them (and yourself) about your child. For example, could the other kids or teacher be subject to any physical harm (even if it’s unlikely)? That would change things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you’d need to be very honest with them (and yourself) about your child. For example, could the other kids or teacher be subject to any physical harm (even if it’s unlikely)? That would change things.

Holy moly pp the op said nothing about her sons behavior, to assume just because her child has autism they might cause physical harm?? Such a huge jump and I would encourage you to be a little more open and learn more about neurodiverse kids because it seems like you have a pretty narrow view. Sorry op I don’t have ideas but was just really shocked by this first response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you’d need to be very honest with them (and yourself) about your child. For example, could the other kids or teacher be subject to any physical harm (even if it’s unlikely)? That would change things.

Holy moly pp the op said nothing about her sons behavior, to assume just because her child has autism they might cause physical harm?? Such a huge jump and I would encourage you to be a little more open and learn more about neurodiverse kids because it seems like you have a pretty narrow view. Sorry op I don’t have ideas but was just really shocked by this first response

OP here, and thank you to the PP.

If that's a coop's first question, that would be a good way to weed them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you’d need to be very honest with them (and yourself) about your child. For example, could the other kids or teacher be subject to any physical harm (even if it’s unlikely)? That would change things.

Wow I’ve read some sh_t in my time on DCUM but this takes the cake. WTF is wrong with you? (Not the OP)

[Anonymous]

What is your location? Off the top of my head, there's Compass in Howard County and Cheverly Stem in PG.

[Anonymous]

You still have a half of year to work with your child and summer. If they are behind due to SN, a co-op isn't going to meet their needs any better. For socialization, try something like boy scouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You still have a half of year to work with your child and summer. If they are behind due to SN, a co-op isn't going to meet their needs any better. For socialization, try something like boy scouts.

Agreed... We've tried 3 co-ops in n. VA, and all have been worthless for socialization. Combination of the fact that 1 HR/week is not enough time for the kids to get comfortable with each other and existing cliques are impossible to break into.

Also, most co-ops in the area are closed due to covid, Compass (herndon) being the exception. No one knows if they will be able to reopen in the fall or not.