Catholic school for autism?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have experience with sending their child with autism to catholic elementary school? Do any catholic schools allow ABA providers in the classroom? We are looking at a few neighborhood catholic schools for our child who just finished preschool.

[Anonymous]

There are a few I this area that have a special program for DC with learning differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a few I this area that have a special program for DC with learning differences.

OP: Thank you. Do you know the names of some that do?

[Anonymous]

I would call the Catholic Coalition for Special education- they work with several parochial schools to help them develop their inclusion programs.

[Anonymous]

I won't go into details, but the epic battle we had with the Diocese of Washington over my son's inclusion in a prek classroom caused us to leave the church. It's not worth it. They pretend to be helpful but they aren't. Go public. This was 10 years ago and I still seethe over it. It was the most unchristian experience I ever had with the church. Went public with an IEP and kid is a straignt A student and so happy. Don't waste your time or money.

[Anonymous]

Are you really sure you want ABA? Adults who went through it often report feeling coerced and misunderstood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a few I this area that have a special program for DC with learning differences.

OP: Thank you. Do you know the names of some that do?

DP. I think the schools people mention do adhd, dyslexia, and DS.

There was a girl with high needs in DD’s Catholic ES class in second grade. They didn’t know how to help her emotional regulation. Various parents and grandparents volunteered to help as aides. That was a disastrous year for all. The situation completely masked my DD’s low needs Autism from the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located? Our Arlington diocese schools allows children to have aides that the parents provide. I am not sure about ABA, specifically.

[Anonymous]

If you are in ADW or ADB, then definitely talk to the Catholic Coalition for Special Education. They support the inclusion of students with IDD. Some schools that have a track record for including students with significant disabilities include: Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Bartholemew's, St. John the Evangelist, St. Mary's Rockville, St. Louis Clarksville, and Holy Redeemer Kensington. I am sure there others.

The Archdiocese of Arlington also has programs. I know less about them. The Basilica school of St. Mary's, and St. Mark's in Vienna are two I happen to know of with inclusion programs.

If your kid doesn't have a significant cognitive, language, or global delay, you may find that approaching a school that doesn't already have an inclusion program works too.

[Anonymous]

Do you need to be catholic for your child to be accepted to those programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you need to be catholic for your child to be accepted to those programs?

No, not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you really sure you want ABA? Adults who went through it often report feeling coerced and misunderstood.

Not op, but yes, I am very sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you really sure you want ABA? Adults who went through it often report feeling coerced and misunderstood.

ABA is different now. Give it a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call the Catholic Coalition for Special education- they work with several parochial schools to help them develop their inclusion programs.

OP: Thank you! Just went to the website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I won't go into details, but the epic battle we had with the Diocese of Washington over my son's inclusion in a prek classroom caused us to leave the church. It's not worth it. They pretend to be helpful but they aren't. Go public. This was 10 years ago and I still seethe over it. It was the most unchristian experience I ever had with the church. Went public with an IEP and kid is a straignt A student and so happy. Don't waste your time or money.

OP: Awful situation. I am glad that things worked out in the public school. We will need to move to be near a public school with a decent program. It's a consideration for next year.