GDS for a high schooler with ADHD/Autism

[Anonymous]

We have a high schooler freshman who is interested in transferring from a Catholic HS to GDS. Student hates all the rules at Catholic school (eg uniform) and went to Catholic K-8 with similar rules… Unfortunately, given ADHD and autism diagnosis, we’re concerned that GDS’ largely self-directed education wouldn’t be a good fit. Student gets A/Bs and scores high on standardized testing with accommodations and medication. Anyone in a similar situation at GDS with a thriving student?

[Anonymous]

Have you considered Field? I think your instincts are right.

[Anonymous]

Burke would be another good option. My kid with a somewhat similar history is loving high school there. If he needs more support, my kid has friends at Nora who love it there.

We looked at GDS for our kids, and it wasn't enough structure for them. It's also going to be very hard to get into after freshman year without straight A's, so I probably wouldn't waste time on figuring out whether it's a match till you know if he's in.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think GDS would take your kid.

[Anonymous]

How is his executive function? Is he good at keeping track and completing his assignments? Does he like school? I have two kids, a ADHDer who is thriving at GDS and an autistic child who would drown there and we never considered it.

[Anonymous]

They take so few new kids in high school I would not even bother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is his executive function? Is he good at keeping track and completing his assignments? Does he like school? I have two kids, a ADHDer who is thriving at GDS and an autistic child who would drown there and we never considered it.

One more thing: how does he respond to challenge? My GDS kid is inspired by challenge and works hard to get where he needs to be. My autistic kid gets overwhelmed and shuts down with (too much) challenge -- and that does not work at GDS. But not all autistic students are the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think GDS would take your kid.

Unfortunately, this.

[Anonymous]

Many but not all ADHD and/or autistic students need a more structured experience that GDS might provide. OP, if your instinct is that your child is one of these, listen to it. You know your child.

But I also agree that it’s probably moot because it’s extremely difficult to get in as a transfer anyway and, tbh, the diagnosis is probably a mark against them. I think others are correct that your child is unlikely to be admitted.

[Anonymous]

^more structured THAN it would provide, not that it would provide.

Yeesh, the difference a single letter makes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered Field? I think your instincts are right.

We haven’t. We were looking only at Catholics but it might not be a good fit as she gets older. We have a family friend whose son graduated from Field and then went to a Catholic college. Will ask about it!

[Anonymous]

My autistic, ADHD, low processing but high IQ kid attended an MCPS high school, with an IEP, then a 504 in his last year. He had double time, typing and calculator accommodations, and was able to do 11 AP courses.

Just something to consider, OP, especially if finances are tight and you're looking at funding college for him and other kids.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is a straight A student and scores well on the SSAT, GDS might be possible. But, as others have said, GDS is a place where kids must have strong executive functioning skills. Kids have a lot of independence, can go off campus for lunch and really have to stay on top of things. While there is support, there is also no hand holding. The block schedules, open campus, etc. really make it feel more like college. That doesn't work for kids who might need more structure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My autistic, ADHD, low processing but high IQ kid attended an MCPS high school, with an IEP, then a 504 in his last year. He had double time, typing and calculator accommodations, and was able to do 11 AP courses.

Just something to consider, OP, especially if finances are tight and you're looking at funding college for him and other kids.

We currently live in bounds for Jackson Reed. Extremely reluctant to send her to such a huge place when she’s been in small privates her entire life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My autistic, ADHD, low processing but high IQ kid attended an MCPS high school, with an IEP, then a 504 in his last year. He had double time, typing and calculator accommodations, and was able to do 11 AP courses.

Just something to consider, OP, especially if finances are tight and you're looking at funding college for him and other kids.

We currently live in bounds for Jackson Reed. Extremely reluctant to send her to such a huge place when she’s been in small privates her entire life.

PP you replied to. My two kids attended/still attend large MCPS schools. They're both on the spectrum, actually, but only one has the additional ADHD. The size of the school doesn't matter since kids just go to their classes and have lunch, and there's de facto a lot of structure built into the school day. The noise or feel of the crowds can matter enormously, but size of school and noise/crowds don't automatically go together: it depends on the building, specifically the corridors, and how it's all set up. They've never felt lost, and for certain neurodivergent profiles with social anxiety, the relative anonymity of a large school can be less intimidating than everyone knowing who you are.

I still suggest you visit with your child, just to make sure it's not an option. Also, keep in mind that at some point your kid will attend college. My autistic/ADHD kid attends a large private university in a urban campus open to the city - he chose it over our state flagship and lots of smaller LACS and rural, quieter institutions. His autism diagnosis entitles him to a private room, which is nice. He absolutely needs his own space and would feel incredibly anxious with a roommate sleeping in the same room. Keep that in mind for when your kid goes to college!