Private schools for kids with dyslexia + ADHD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it not even worth considering the more academically rigorous schools? It’s tough because her intellectual abilities are very strong. One of those tough 2E kids.

Remediate first, then switch to more rigor. It’s worked great for my 2e child, also dyslexia. Originally DC also had a mild ADHD (inattentive) diagnosis, but the results of the most recent retest (you have to retest every 4-5 years) no longer met the ADHD definition. Does have mild anxiety as well that we’re keeping an eye on; does not meet an official GAD diagnosis and we hope it never does. We did remediation in 1st-4th (O-G 3 or 4 times per week, at school), then switched to a k-8 with an excellent learning center that gave the support needed to build EF skills, study skills, and self-advocacy skills (but no further remediation needed at that point), and then switched to a HS that provides needed accommodations (just standard ones needed now—extra time, spelling doesn’t count on tests/in-class work, etc). DC had a scheduled time slot in the learning center as a freshman and now no longer even needs that, although the center is always available as a resource for any kid with accommodations at anytime during their 4 years in the HS.

So yes, a traditional/mainstream school may be a great fit—the doc who did our testing even recommended *against* a specialized school for dyslexic students, because it wouldn’t provide enough academic challenge—but possibly not until late ES/MS, after further remediation.

OP here. Thanks! This is so helpful. The neuropsych who diagnosed DC also recommended against a specialized school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mind mentioning which K-8 had the good learning center? And then the HS that has one? Would be helpful to know for my DS.

Congressional, but the learning center director who was there when DC went there left. I have heard good things about the new director but have no personal experience. Then to SSSAS.

PP again, just to add—I know the hate that both of these schools get on this board, but they were/are *fantastic* for my kid and we wouldn’t change a thing.

Ours as well, but not facing the same issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boy or Girl? Would you consider single sex?

Girl, lower ES age. Definitely think she’d be happy with single sex, though she enjoys her co-ed school.

Madeira (but not yet). Find a K-8 with good support in the meantime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2E kid in an early grade at Siena and it's going great so far. But I respect if you've seen it in action and determined that it's not for your kid.

Not op but in the same situation. Sienna just seems like standard special education. Socially stifling at best. I just couldn't see a typical kid with an LD there and happy. A quirky kid sure, a shy kid, absolutely, but a kid that loves the social parts of school, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not looking for specialized schools like Lab or Siena. I’m interested in which mainstream private schools best support a kid with the following profile:

- Dyslexia
- ADHD (hyperactivity type); mild

99th percentile IQ with particularly strong visual-spatial reasoning and math abilities

Strong interest and aptitude in the arts

We’re currently at a K-8, but I’m trying to get a sense of our options moving forward.

My kid was diagnosed with ADD just prior to covid (executive functioning skills are awful). Online learning was a disaster for my kid.

My kid attends a Big 3. Grades are not on par with peers. Has had to fight and work hard for every grade made. The best news for us is our kid has stepped up to the challenge and is doing better than freshman, sophomore and junior year.

In my opinion, kids mature at different ages.. I can only encourage them on their journey. My kid is on par to make several A's this year. Super proud!

IMO, kids that have learning disabilities need to be challenged. It helps them even if it is difficult. Life is tough. Better to figure it out now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not looking for specialized schools like Lab or Siena. I’m interested in which mainstream private schools best support a kid with the following profile:

- Dyslexia
- ADHD (hyperactivity type); mild

99th percentile IQ with particularly strong visual-spatial reasoning and math abilities

Strong interest and aptitude in the arts

We’re currently at a K-8, but I’m trying to get a sense of our options moving forward.

My kid was diagnosed with ADD just prior to covid (executive functioning skills are awful). Online learning was a disaster for my kid.

My kid attends a Big 3. Grades are not on par with peers. Has had to fight and work hard for every grade made. The best news for us is our kid has stepped up to the challenge and is doing better than freshman, sophomore and junior year.

In my opinion, kids mature at different ages.. I can only encourage them on their journey. My kid is on par to make several A's this year. Super proud!

IMO, kids that have learning disabilities need to be challenged. It helps them even if it is difficult. Life is tough. Better to figure it out now.

Was your child already at the school when there got the ADHD diagnosis, or did they transfer after?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2E kid in an early grade at Siena and it's going great so far. But I respect if you've seen it in action and determined that it's not for your kid.

Not op but in the same situation. Sienna just seems like standard special education. Socially stifling at best. I just couldn't see a typical kid with an LD there and happy. A quirky kid sure, a shy kid, absolutely, but a kid that loves the social parts of school, no.

OP here. This is part of my concern with a very small, specialized school. DD is very social and loves school.

[Anonymous]

I'd look at St. Andrews or Bullis if you can afford it.

The thing about being 2Es is your child can thrive in public if there are specialized programs so they can thrive but most of those programs are in HS.

My children's IQ was just below the threshold for public to work. We could not afford Bullis or St. Andrews so we supplemented with tutors at a Catholic school then did the Ryken program at Good Counsel. Also, I had boys and they needed sports.

[Anonymous]

NP. What about the Lab School? I'm curious if that would also be too limiting/socially stifling or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. What about the Lab School? I'm curious if that would also be too limiting/socially stifling or not.

OP here. Her neuropsychologist strongly feels Lab would be premature at this point. She was only recently diagnosed and her neuropsychologist wants to see how she responds to enhanced interventions in her mainstream private school before moving her to a more intense and potentially socially stifling environment.

Lab does seem like an amazing school for kids with LDs, but it’s tiny and I’m concerned it would be too small for my very social kid. I’m also concerned it wouldn’t challenge her in other subject areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. What about the Lab School? I'm curious if that would also be too limiting/socially stifling or not.

Lab is small so you could have some of the same social limitations. Plus OP specifically is asking about mainstream schools, not schools that specialize in learning differences.

[Anonymous]

We were also told by the team that conducted my daughter’s neuropsych (and diagnosed her with ADHD/dyslexia) that schools like Lab would be overkill. They recommended that we apply to mainstream privates. She did not get in (no idea to what extent this related to her learning profile vs other factors) and we ended up at McLean. It has generally felt like a good fit - lots of kids with a similar profile. I’m not sure we’ll stay there for MS/HS (both because I think she’d do better in a bigger school and might benefit from the option of more rigorous academics in some areas), but it’s been great for remediation and fostering a love of school in ES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every single school has at least some support for ADHD, particularly if your kid is in the 99% of IQ. If the dyslexia is under control and manageable with support, again, every single school supports this.

+1
We know kids at Sidwell, Landon, St. A's who have LDs are fine. As long as you are prepared to provide a lot of support with tutors at home any school you think is a fit for your family should be a possibility. Suggest you think about mental health in making your choice however as some of these schools are pressure cookers and it may require more work thank others for her to keep up. Some kids can manage in those environments but it can be crushing to those who can't.

[Anonymous]

If she's in a K8 why not keep her there and see how she does before looking way forward to HS? You'll get a better sense of her learning style in middle school and can choose appropriately at that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boy or Girl? Would you consider single sex?

Girl, lower ES age. Definitely think she’d be happy with single sex, though she enjoys her co-ed school.

Madeira (but not yet). Find a K-8 with good support in the meantime.

+1