Why don’t a lot of SN schools take autistic kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which private schools may be able to cater to students with autism with above-average or strong academic capabilities but with social anxiety?

We are going to The New School of Nova with this profile. Very welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve worked in a private school that did not discriminate against ASD kids. We had some challenges. One of them was staffing. Despite having learning specialists in each classroom, paraeducators with the younger kids, and a school counselor, we did not have behaviorists. When we encountered school refusal, work refusal, disruptive stims, eloping, or emotional outbursts, we didn’t have good programs to help support children in those situations. We could only refer to outside service providers, and families did not always want to take those referrals. We also had a lot of students with competing needs. Some of our ASD kids were louder—due to trouble modulating voices, having noise-making stims, etc. At the same time, some of our ASD students were very sensitive to noise, even to the point of wearing hearing protection. Even with small classroom sizes, we were never successful in accommodating every student’s needs around ambient noise.

Often we would have ASD students who would work independently and not need behavioral support. The trouble is that it is so hard for admissions teams to know which child will fall into which group, especially as behavior changes over time and with development. We also had a lot of fraught conversations with already enrolled families whose children could not be accommodated well with the school’s existing resources. When families are counseled out, it creates a lot of ill will that schools wish to avoid.

Lots of kids with ADHD have the same issues you mention -- can be loud, disruptive, etc. Yet schools never have blanket rules against accepting students with ADHD and seem to be able to figure out which students they can serve.

ASD needs a totally different teaching curriculum. The way they process information is completely different. Especially in the early years. ADHD is not as prevalent as it’s actually diagnosed, it usually just means they need a bit more attention to stay on track. ASD is next level.

And ADHD kids can make meds adjustments/try different med options. ASD kids can not

[Anonymous]

I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve worked in a private school that did not discriminate against ASD kids. We had some challenges. One of them was staffing. Despite having learning specialists in each classroom, paraeducators with the younger kids, and a school counselor, we did not have behaviorists. When we encountered school refusal, work refusal, disruptive stims, eloping, or emotional outbursts, we didn’t have good programs to help support children in those situations. We could only refer to outside service providers, and families did not always want to take those referrals. We also had a lot of students with competing needs. Some of our ASD kids were louder—due to trouble modulating voices, having noise-making stims, etc. At the same time, some of our ASD students were very sensitive to noise, even to the point of wearing hearing protection. Even with small classroom sizes, we were never successful in accommodating every student’s needs around ambient noise.

Often we would have ASD students who would work independently and not need behavioral support. The trouble is that it is so hard for admissions teams to know which child will fall into which group, especially as behavior changes over time and with development. We also had a lot of fraught conversations with already enrolled families whose children could not be accommodated well with the school’s existing resources. When families are counseled out, it creates a lot of ill will that schools wish to avoid.

Lots of kids with ADHD have the same issues you mention -- can be loud, disruptive, etc. Yet schools never have blanket rules against accepting students with ADHD and seem to be able to figure out which students they can serve.

ASD needs a totally different teaching curriculum. The way they process information is completely different. Especially in the early years. ADHD is not as prevalent as it’s actually diagnosed, it usually just means they need a bit more attention to stay on track. ASD is next level.

And ADHD kids can make meds adjustments/try different med options. ASD kids can not

This is a really inappropriate and innacurate line of discussion. Just stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve worked in a private school that did not discriminate against ASD kids. We had some challenges. One of them was staffing. Despite having learning specialists in each classroom, paraeducators with the younger kids, and a school counselor, we did not have behaviorists. When we encountered school refusal, work refusal, disruptive stims, eloping, or emotional outbursts, we didn’t have good programs to help support children in those situations. We could only refer to outside service providers, and families did not always want to take those referrals. We also had a lot of students with competing needs. Some of our ASD kids were louder—due to trouble modulating voices, having noise-making stims, etc. At the same time, some of our ASD students were very sensitive to noise, even to the point of wearing hearing protection. Even with small classroom sizes, we were never successful in accommodating every student’s needs around ambient noise.

Often we would have ASD students who would work independently and not need behavioral support. The trouble is that it is so hard for admissions teams to know which child will fall into which group, especially as behavior changes over time and with development. We also had a lot of fraught conversations with already enrolled families whose children could not be accommodated well with the school’s existing resources. When families are counseled out, it creates a lot of ill will that schools wish to avoid.

Lots of kids with ADHD have the same issues you mention -- can be loud, disruptive, etc. Yet schools never have blanket rules against accepting students with ADHD and seem to be able to figure out which students they can serve.

ASD needs a totally different teaching curriculum. The way they process information is completely different. Especially in the early years. ADHD is not as prevalent as it’s actually diagnosed, it usually just means they need a bit more attention to stay on track. ASD is next level.

And ADHD kids can make meds adjustments/try different med options. ASD kids can not

Your ADHD kid is by no means better than one with ASD. I’d much rather teach a kid with ASD than one with ADHD and it’s not even close. They’re very different but not in the way you’re implying here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

SCD would likely be a more accurate diagnosis for a child with that profile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

SCD would likely be a more accurate diagnosis for a child with that profile.

SCD is a garbage diagnosis that nobody actually uses. and FWIW you’re wrong about it anyway. SCD is not high functioning autism. It is social communication difficulties without repetitive behaviors. My DS has a high IQ and increasingly improving social skills, but definitely has the tell-tale repetitive behaviors of autism (stims, special interests).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

To say one’s behavioral needs have been well established by middle or high school simply is not true. Any number of things can change those needs, for any child, at any time and puberty is a key culprit for factors that might change those needs. Schools need more resources to accommodate children with ASD regardless of behavioral needs. They need extra trained staff and resources on top of increased resources in case behavioral needs change (they often do) and children require additional support. Most schools simply are not staffed or trained to handle the demands of these children. The same can be said for children with other SN that nobody ever talks about, but that’s beside the point.

My question is if you have the money for a top level private then why you don’t hire a 1:1 full time and homeschool or find a school that can properly accommodate your child? That’s typically the best place to put your energy instead of publicly bashing some school you didn’t get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

To say one’s behavioral needs have been well established by middle or high school simply is not true. Any number of things can change those needs, for any child, at any time and puberty is a key culprit for factors that might change those needs. Schools need more resources to accommodate children with ASD regardless of behavioral needs. They need extra trained staff and resources on top of increased resources in case behavioral needs change (they often do) and children require additional support. Most schools simply are not staffed or trained to handle the demands of these children. The same can be said for children with other SN that nobody ever talks about, but that’s beside the point.

My question is if you have the money for a top level private then why you don’t hire a 1:1 full time and homeschool or find a school that can properly accommodate your child? That’s typically the best place to put your energy instead of publicly bashing some school you didn’t get into.

You seem to lack exposure to older kids on the spectrum. By MS (12-13) it is quite clear which kids can handle advanced academic work and conform behaviorally to classroom expectations. There’s zero reason to claim that older kids on the spectrum always need “more resources” than kids with ADHD. Unless you’re talking about fake “ADHD,” which always messes up the conversation. But sure, if you’re comparing my HFA kid and a kid with “ADHD,” the latter needs fewer resources.

and why tf would I put my kid in homeschool when he can cope just fine in general education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

To say one’s behavioral needs have been well established by middle or high school simply is not true. Any number of things can change those needs, for any child, at any time and puberty is a key culprit for factors that might change those needs. Schools need more resources to accommodate children with ASD regardless of behavioral needs. They need extra trained staff and resources on top of increased resources in case behavioral needs change (they often do) and children require additional support. Most schools simply are not staffed or trained to handle the demands of these children. The same can be said for children with other SN that nobody ever talks about, but that’s beside the point.

My question is if you have the money for a top level private then why you don’t hire a 1:1 full time and homeschool or find a school that can properly accommodate your child? That’s typically the best place to put your energy instead of publicly bashing some school you didn’t get into.

You seem to lack exposure to older kids on the spectrum. By MS (12-13) it is quite clear which kids can handle advanced academic work and conform behaviorally to classroom expectations. There’s zero reason to claim that older kids on the spectrum always need “more resources” than kids with ADHD. Unless you’re talking about fake “ADHD,” which always messes up the conversation. But sure, if you’re comparing my HFA kid and a kid with “ADHD,” the latter needs fewer resources.

and why tf would I put my kid in homeschool when he can cope just fine in general education?

The question here is about special needs private schools. Why would you put your kid in a special needs private school if they can cope just fine in general education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

You are suggesting an investigation into a private school for refusing to accept ASD? That is ridiculous. It’s private they can pick and choose - that’s how those schools work. And until they have unfilled seats they aren’t accepting ASD no matter how mad it makes people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

SCD would likely be a more accurate diagnosis for a child with that profile.

SCD is a garbage diagnosis that nobody actually uses. and FWIW you’re wrong about it anyway. SCD is not high functioning autism. It is social communication difficulties without repetitive behaviors. My DS has a high IQ and increasingly improving social skills, but definitely has the tell-tale repetitive behaviors of autism (stims, special interests).

I was referring to your previous post about a child, in general, with high IQ that just lacks social skills. For that type of child SCD would be something to consider. I not referring specifically to your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

To say one’s behavioral needs have been well established by middle or high school simply is not true. Any number of things can change those needs, for any child, at any time and puberty is a key culprit for factors that might change those needs. Schools need more resources to accommodate children with ASD regardless of behavioral needs. They need extra trained staff and resources on top of increased resources in case behavioral needs change (they often do) and children require additional support. Most schools simply are not staffed or trained to handle the demands of these children. The same can be said for children with other SN that nobody ever talks about, but that’s beside the point.

My question is if you have the money for a top level private then why you don’t hire a 1:1 full time and homeschool or find a school that can properly accommodate your child? That’s typically the best place to put your energy instead of publicly bashing some school you didn’t get into.

You seem to lack exposure to older kids on the spectrum. By MS (12-13) it is quite clear which kids can handle advanced academic work and conform behaviorally to classroom expectations. There’s zero reason to claim that older kids on the spectrum always need “more resources” than kids with ADHD. Unless you’re talking about fake “ADHD,” which always messes up the conversation. But sure, if you’re comparing my HFA kid and a kid with “ADHD,” the latter needs fewer resources.

and why tf would I put my kid in homeschool when he can cope just fine in general education?

Madam I don’t lack exposure to anything, I can assure you. I never spoke about ADHD in my post, so that indicates to me that you have a chip on your shoulder and just want to argue when I’m just providing information that others may (or may not) find useful. Have a nice day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

To say one’s behavioral needs have been well established by middle or high school simply is not true. Any number of things can change those needs, for any child, at any time and puberty is a key culprit for factors that might change those needs. Schools need more resources to accommodate children with ASD regardless of behavioral needs. They need extra trained staff and resources on top of increased resources in case behavioral needs change (they often do) and children require additional support. Most schools simply are not staffed or trained to handle the demands of these children. The same can be said for children with other SN that nobody ever talks about, but that’s beside the point.

My question is if you have the money for a top level private then why you don’t hire a 1:1 full time and homeschool or find a school that can properly accommodate your child? That’s typically the best place to put your energy instead of publicly bashing some school you didn’t get into.

You seem to lack exposure to older kids on the spectrum. By MS (12-13) it is quite clear which kids can handle advanced academic work and conform behaviorally to classroom expectations. There’s zero reason to claim that older kids on the spectrum always need “more resources” than kids with ADHD. Unless you’re talking about fake “ADHD,” which always messes up the conversation. But sure, if you’re comparing my HFA kid and a kid with “ADHD,” the latter needs fewer resources.

and why tf would I put my kid in homeschool when he can cope just fine in general education?

The question here is about special needs private schools. Why would you put your kid in a special needs private school if they can cope just fine in general education?

That’s a fair question. I’d like him to be in a more structured school with a higher student-teacher ratio because I think he would learn more in that kind of setting. A mainstream private wouldn’t take him because he is too visibly autistic but it would be nice if a school like McLean or LAB would.