Northern Virginia schools accepting students with Down Syndrome

[Anonymous]

Flint Hill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out what catholic schools are a member of the Catholic Coalition for Special education.

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/05-0611009

What a great org - and yes Catholic schools are way, way better then most public schools for special Ed. Smaller, less distraction and more loving. Wish we had done all Catholic in the early years...

CCSE is a great organization, but it only serves schools in the ADW and the ADB. There are schools in the Arlington Diocese as well, which probably make more sense for OP if OP's in NoVa.

Porto Charities is a similar organization in NOVA supporting the Diocese of Arlington schools.

https://portocharities.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St Mark, Vienna VA has an Evangelist Program. I am not sure what their capabilities/capacity is now. My DC graduated 4 years ago - there was a down syndrome child in his grade level. The school integrated him into class (where they were able-- religion, art, PE, social studies), class activities, and paired him with buddies. I agree, you may get more support a public school, but it depends on what you need. We've been out of the school for a number of years, but it is worth a call

This seems to be a leader.

Don't hesitate to call the Diocese and ask for advice.

[Anonymous]

Can I suggest that you ask the school which public school system they are closest too?

One county in the Diocese does a better job at extended supports to dual enrolled students than the other.

Meaning, if the student's IEP in public school (if they went) requires speech therapy, they would permit the child to come to public school for 30 minutes a week (or what have you) for that therapy. Another county has a more "if they can afford private tuition, they can afford private therapy" model.

Also, not every child with Down Syndrome has the same need for supports. Would the child require a 1:1 aide? Would they need assistance with feeding/toileting? Are there vision issues? Are there cardiac concerns? Gross motor issues? Communication needs?

You, as the parent, will be the case manager so try to find a school that can answer these questions easily (or who ask the important questions of YOU).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you will find more trained and appropriate teachers at a special needs private or public. Not Catholic.

I think you are not aware of the services that catholic schools offer in this area.

Catholic schools are known for educating students with Down and other IDs.

+1

Catholic schools were accepting and educating children with Down Syndrome and other similar disabilities long, long before the public schools were.

My aunt with Down Syndrome was educated in Catholic school in the 1950s. The public schools would not accept her and advised her parents to institutionalize her. Kids who were institutionalized in those days often died. My aunt instead eventually was able to live semi-independently because of the education she got and she lived a long and happy life.

I am Catholic + have a DS niece. Catholic Schools had better teach DS kids since they are so against abortion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bishop O'Connell - I've heard great things from parents of children with Down Syndrome.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you will find more trained and appropriate teachers at a special needs private or public. Not Catholic.

Why do you say that ?

I would think that, given that the Catholic church opposes abortion, such as when an amnio shows Trisomy, that they would carry those values through with mainstreaming for education. I also think that having inclusive classrooms mentors compassion and isn't that a main value of the Catholic Church ?


Why do you seem to think otherwise ?

Not PP but we had a hideous time on a parochial school that refused to teach to LDs. Many teachers don’t have the teainkk on g … and then they take it out on the kids. Do your homework. Some Catholic schools can be very cruel.

[Anonymous]

Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it state law that all public schools have to ?

If not it should be - long overdue

People affected by Downs Syndrome are - in my experience- wonderful people to have in any organization: hard working ( used to trying their damndest to keep up ) , honest ( completely without artifice ) , warm hearted and caring , sincere

In other words : an example to us all and an assert in every classroom . They should def be mainstreamed

The dozen or so IQ points they may lack below the average IQ they more than make up for in the above qualities - our kids learn compassion from them as does rest of society

I am honestly shocked if they are t mainstreamed - this is long over due

That’s a gross generalization. The one child I know with DS is a frequent absconder and will never be able to live independently or hold down a job. It’s very sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your child currently enrolled in a public school? I’d imagine you’d find the most support there.

Do you have experience, or are you guessing?

Not the PP, but nearly every child I know with profound developmental challenges has been better served in a public school than a private. It's basically scale - if federal law compels public school districts to provide services, then there will be a greater concentration of students and more likely teachers and staff with specialization. That was also our family's experience with our sister who had Down Syndrome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your child currently enrolled in a public school? I’d imagine you’d find the most support there.

Do you have experience, or are you guessing?

Not the PP, but nearly every child I know with profound developmental challenges has been better served in a public school than a private. It's basically scale - if federal law compels public school districts to provide services, then there will be a greater concentration of students and more likely teachers and staff with specialization. That was also our family's experience with our sister who had Down Syndrome.

Privates or parochial? Catholic school embrace their mission to education developmentally disabled children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

I can't think of any, but I think it would depend on the cognitive profile of your child. What are the specific learning needs? Some schools might be capable for accommodation for certain profiles and others less so. Depends on the kid -- and the school -- but that's pretty much the situation for all kids with some sort of diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Catholic schools do not offer the support needed for most special learning needs. It’s sad, but true. I’ve seen extra help for typical learners, but not for a constant need. Catholic schools should rethink what God has called them to do.