Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

[Anonymous]

Hi - I have 2nd grade girl and am looking for schools that would be a good fit for ASD Level 1 and Pervasive Demand for Autonomy (PDA). So schools that use an ABA type approach would not be the right fit. I spoke with Oakwood and Newton and neither would be a fit they said for my child. We are dealing with school refusal and challenges after school - academically they are on track. I spoke with Linwood and they sounded promising but they barely have any girls in elementary and I have a social child.

What do you recommend in the DMV?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Sycamore would be great for middle school, but that doesn't help you now.

Maybe Maddux? Their 3rd grade will be new next year.

[Anonymous]

Consider Maddux

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider Maddux

Maddux doesn’t offer 3rd grade, yet.

[Anonymous]

The Lourie Center, Auburn, Diener.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider Maddux

Maddux doesn’t offer 3rd grade, yet.

They will next year, so a current 2nd grader could apply.

[Anonymous]

OP - looking for this year. Also anything in DC or VA or are all the good ones in MD?

[Anonymous]

Surprised Newton said no. Can you describe her challenges at school?

[Anonymous]

Masking at school but in reality the constant demands using an authoritative approach are too much for a PDA profile child and the length of the day because it's exhausting masking all day. High anxiety as well.
In the rare times she doesn't mask needing staff that understands she needs true sensory breaks and giving her space (instead of asking how she's feeling and telling her what she can and can't do which escalate her). Really a school that understands PDA and is flexible to support the needs of a PDA child when necessary.

[Anonymous]

Do the public schools in your area allow partial enrollment for homeschooled students?

[Anonymous]

NP. My DS with ASD/ADHD/PDA went to an FCPS ES without an IEP or 504, in AAP. He completed some of the schoolwork but definitely not all of it (he completed 30% of ELA assignments) - because it's elementary school, the grades don't really matter and it's SBG so, because the schoolwork that he completed was well done, he got mostly 3s.

I spoke to his teachers throughout ES and they were tolerant of it. The administration doesn't like to give 504, although we had a neuropsych eval, but the teachers were experienced and accommodating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surprised Newton said no. Can you describe her challenges at school?

Newton is not good at supporting students with PDA.
Their sweet spot is 2e wiggly kids with mild social deficits.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that Maddox would be able to support PDA. They don't really take kids with outward behaviors.

[Anonymous]

PDA doesn't typically present with outward behaviors. It's all internalized through masking and hence the school refusal and letdown after school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PDA doesn't typically present with outward behaviors. It's all internalized through masking and hence the school refusal and letdown after school.

Actually, PDA does typically present with significant externalizing behaviors. Maybe some kids can hold it together at school, but PDA typically describes students who react strongly to demands.