Do private schools take kids with ADHD

[Anonymous]

Mild to medium per testing. If we tell his school it’s in his record forever and I’m scared about how it follows the kids. Thx

[Anonymous]

My child has ADHD and is at a private school (not one specializing in special needs). They have an academic support team and varying levels of support, dependent on what the child needs. They admit students who they feel they can support and try to keep the numbers low so they can provide the needed accommodations. I think sharing the diagnosis is so important. The school needs to tell you their supports and how they can teach your child who may need more than a “typical” student. They can’t do that if you don’t share and that could negatively impact your child.

[Anonymous]

If you don't tell his school, his behavior looks like he's "bad" or "lazy" and that stays in his record forever. He's going to get labeled regardless -- would you rather it be with a medical diagnosis and accommodations or by his failure to meet expectations?

The only exception is if he is getting good grades, not having any social or behavioral problems, and doesn't need accommodations -- but then he probably wouldn't have been diagnosed.

My DS has ADHD and attends a selective private school and is doing great with meds and accommodations.

[Anonymous]

I only know ones that were already in the private school, later got diagnosed, and have some minimal accommodations. I don’t know any who applied with the diagnoses.

I also don’t know if mainstream private schools here provide remedial or help with math or reading. Do they? Or do they tell you to supplement or tutor?

[Anonymous]

Yes they do, but it also depends on the type of school. The most selective will be more reluctant, the less selective will be more open to it. You should not withhold the information on the application because it will come to bite you down the road.

[Anonymous]

Maybe ADHD depending on the kid. But you better hope there's no potential for autism because they'll screen the child out asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only know ones that were already in the private school, later got diagnosed, and have some minimal accommodations. I don’t know any who applied with the diagnoses.

I also don’t know if mainstream private schools here provide remedial or help with math or reading. Do they? Or do they tell you to supplement or tutor?

Basic accommodations like extra time, proximity to the teacher, etc. Most everything else, parents hire outside tutors for after school and weekends.

[Anonymous]

All the private school applications ask if your child has ever had academic or neuropsych testing and ever been diagnosed with any attention or learning issues. You don’t really want your child at a school that isn’t supportive of this, so it’s better to be transparent about it from the beginning. And also yes, I have 2 kids with ADHD who went to private schools.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the school but yes. Especially schools like McLean who tend to specialize in special needs.

[Anonymous]

Yes - what grade are you looking at?
Field, Burke, McLean, Bullis all have long reputations for supporting children with mild learning needs.

Many parents selected schools like Lowell and Sheridan due to the outdoor focus knowing their kids needed more ability to move.

High schools like SJC, Good Counsel have specific programs tailored to support students.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I was just about to ask the same question as OP! We are moving to a new area and I'm wondering about this. My child was diagnosed while at her current school and I'm wondering about how disclosing her diagnosis in the application process for new schools will affect her. She actually doesn't even really need accommodations at her current school because of the way it's set up and the environment, but I can't seem to find a school in the new city that will be similar. She does well academically and socially and doesn't causes any disruption or problems at school (unless the teacher is holding back from me, which I doubt she is), so I would like to think that it's not going to be held against her too much, but frankly I think some of the more competitive schools are going to look for any reason to reject a kid. Based on her progress report/report card and teacher conference, you wouldn't know that there are any issues.

Honestly we got the neuropsych because of issues we were having at home and not because of issues at school. The whole covid situation was a huge part of it plus a major change in our family life. If it weren't for the pandemic stress, we probably wouldn't have gotten her evaluated because I don't think she would have been having the anxiety and defiance to such a strong degree. I am hesitant to disclose in the application process, but if I don't and later want accommodations--mainly frequent breaks and extra time and a quiet room on tests--that it's going to be a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only know ones that were already in the private school, later got diagnosed, and have some minimal accommodations. I don’t know any who applied with the diagnoses.

I also don’t know if mainstream private schools here provide remedial or help with math or reading. Do they? Or do they tell you to supplement or tutor?

Basic accommodations like extra time, proximity to the teacher, etc. Most everything else, parents hire outside tutors for after school and weekends.

Then fit for learning style versus teaching style is even more important if applying to private schools. Non-stop tutoring sounds horrible. Just find a school that has better instruction and student work products conducive to learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I was just about to ask the same question as OP! We are moving to a new area and I'm wondering about this. My child was diagnosed while at her current school and I'm wondering about how disclosing her diagnosis in the application process for new schools will affect her. She actually doesn't even really need accommodations at her current school because of the way it's set up and the environment, but I can't seem to find a school in the new city that will be similar. She does well academically and socially and doesn't causes any disruption or problems at school (unless the teacher is holding back from me, which I doubt she is), so I would like to think that it's not going to be held against her too much, but frankly I think some of the more competitive schools are going to look for any reason to reject a kid. Based on her progress report/report card and teacher conference, you wouldn't know that there are any issues.

Honestly we got the neuropsych because of issues we were having at home and not because of issues at school. The whole covid situation was a huge part of it plus a major change in our family life. If it weren't for the pandemic stress, we probably wouldn't have gotten her evaluated because I don't think she would have been having the anxiety and defiance to such a strong degree. I am hesitant to disclose in the application process, but if I don't and later want accommodations--mainly frequent breaks and extra time and a quiet room on tests--that it's going to be a problem.

Our family has a similar question. We just needed help figuring out our kid after 2+ years of poor schooling and subpar teachers, but at those pivotal mid-elementary grades. No major diagnoses but we have to disclose to everywhere? Half of the test was the WISC anyhow.

[Anonymous]

The Barrie school will not, fyi

[Anonymous]

You really want to disclose this at the front and hear if they are willing to accommodate. Do not try to sneak your kid in to a school that won't accommodate him, you are asking for trouble down the road. If your child has ADHD and the school doesn't have resources to support them, you need to know that before you commit. Don't put your kid in an environment where he will fail.