school for high functioning autism

[jbarceneaux]

Thank you everyone. I didn't think anyone was holding back, in fact I'm thrilled with the very quick responses! We lived in Bethesda over 10 years ago and I loved the DC Urban Mom listserv back then. Happy to be able to draw on this incredible group's knowledge. I did some quick searching and it looks like Auburn is very similar to my son's current school.

[Anonymous]

There just isn’t a lot here in that space. Most non-religious private schools here are cutthroat and competitive and do t take kids like ours because they don’t have to. We are sticking with Arlington public schools and an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Do a search for Auburn. It was bought out by a for-profit and there have been a lot of posts about a quality decrease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jbarceneaux wrote:Thank you for the replies. We just wanted some names of private schools that serve high functioning autism kids and other kids with learning differences. Our son is on grade level, but needs small class sizes (less than 10) and some help with executive functioning - organization etc., and teachers who understand the quirks of kids with autism.

Jenny

There is a GT/LD program in Montgomery County. Can anyone give more info?

OP's kid would join the MCPS Asperger's program, not GT/LD. My kid is in the Asperger's program. Three classes a day are in small group and the rest are in general ed with a para. It's working well for my kid. OP can call the MCPS autism program for more info.

[jbarceneaux]

Ugh!! I just searched and messages about Auburn doesn't look good! I wondered why thier website had all info from 2019 and nothing recently. It's a shame I thought there would be more choices in the DC area. I'll keep searching and thank you so much for the great (as usual) advice!

[Anonymous]

Auburn also already decided that their whole school year will be virtual. Not caring about trying to get kids back in school, especially a population that really needs in person interaction and is already usuallly in very small classes, but wanting to collect tuition...doesn't send a very good message about the quality and dedication of their staff.

[Anonymous]

The leading school in this area is probably The Ivymount School. Howver it is very expensive ($66,000 is the last I heard) and mostly takes public placements.

[Anonymous]

I just looked at Auburn's website. They redid it and it is full of typos!

[Anonymous]

Look at the staff page, Fairfax has few staff and only one teacher (PE) listed.

https://www.theauburnschool.org/Page/56

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at the staff page, Fairfax has few staff and only one teacher (PE) listed.

https://www.theauburnschool.org/Page/56

Silver Spring has more teachers listed, two that I recognize from prior years. Maybe they are doing better than the Fairfax campys?

[Anonymous]

They obviously are trying to limp through this year using maryland campus teachers to cover the fairfax kids while still collecting all the fairfax tuition. they have had help wanted ads for months but won't pay enough to get any candidiates.

OP, look into here. Its not a special ed school but its worth checking out

Howard Gardner School.

[Anonymous]

The Lab School in DC. Not sure if your child would be too high for that school but worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Lab School in DC. Not sure if your child would be too high for that school but worth looking into.

Lab school focuses on LDs. Not suitable for an HFA kid without an LD.

[Anonymous]

Commonwealth

[jbarceneaux]

Commonwealth looks good too - similar to my son's school now. Does anyone know if they have kids with ASD there? My son's autism wasn't diagnosed till he was 10 even though he was screened at age 4. The school that he goes to now has kids with mild autism and ADHD and Dyslexia- all types of different learners. Thanks.