Schools to apply for K for child with severe ADHD (should be medicated by then) and possible LDs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lab does not take kids with this profile. You should look at Kingsbury but even they won't deal with these issues unless you put him on medication. If you look at Maddux, you want to be sure he won't stick out and or it will be hard for him to make friends, which will be stressful for him and you.

Okay. I feel like this is a little disparaging, honestly. I can't stand this board when people feel the need to rank special needs. Not quite sure why this is so much worse than all the other profiles out there, but alright, I guess.

I think what PP was getting at, which mirrors my own experience, is that profiles that include significant behavioural elements ARE different. We all know that some learning differences lead to frustration and acting out, but what you are describing sounds like the impulse control and behavioural stuff are part of the profile, not a result of the profile. And, yes, that can lead to social issues at some private SN schools.

I know OP is looking for a private option, but she's getting a lot of advice here from parents who have BTDT and for whom private with an IEP was a better option because you can't be counseled out of public school.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I was an earlier PP who inadvertently offended OP. I suggested public school for his profile, because it is similar to my own child's. I have spoken to many private schools looking for the perfect fit and when I couldn't find it, we ended up in public. We were pleasantly surprised with the experience and have been able to put our money into therapy and other areas. We have also tried to find the magic medication and we keep having great success and then the medication loses its impact. In public we can adjust the iep and level of support and not have to worry about being counseled out. Unfortunately there are very few privates that deal with behaviors.

[Anonymous]

Op here - thanks, I'm not trying to be overly sensitive. It's just tough to hear, oh no! Not those issues, shudder! Yes, behavior is part of it for him. He has epilepsy and that is a pretty common profile for people with his type of epilepsy. We are hopeful it calms down with the medication but we are slowly titrating to a working dose of the epilepsy medicine. He hasn't qualified for child find the last few times so he is kind of an enigma. Hard but in different ways. It's a struggle.

[Anonymous]

I know that Kingsbury requires kids with severe ADHD with the symptoms you described to be on medication or they may be asked to leave. You just have to be open to hearing everything because you hope to find a place your child can stay. I think that if you have behavior issues, not learning issues, at Maddux - that will be tough socially for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here - thanks, I'm not trying to be overly sensitive. It's just tough to hear, oh no! Not those issues, shudder! Yes, behavior is part of it for him. He has epilepsy and that is a pretty common profile for people with his type of epilepsy. We are hopeful it calms down with the medication but we are slowly titrating to a working dose of the epilepsy medicine. He hasn't qualified for child find the last few times so he is kind of an enigma. Hard but in different ways. It's a struggle.

OP, I would be concerned about medical care at some of these private schools and would wonder if public would be better if they have a nurse on site. My kid was having some small seizures, including one when I picked him up. We don't know why it was happening and it only lasted a few months and seemed to stop. School was pretty dismissive but one teacher thought she saw something and ever said anything or called to come get him. Most are not equipped to deal with seizures. I'd also be concerned about some of the privates as if you have to change medications/have more behavioral issues, will they kick him out vs. working with you to get the medications right.

[Anonymous]

I understand. It's hard because I went to private and so did my husband and I'm nervous of public especially with his issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand. It's hard because I went to private and so did my husband and I'm nervous of public especially with his issues.

I would be more concerned with a nurse on staff vs private school. Put the money to tutoring, activities, services or college. Epilepsy is serious and not all staff can deal with it or the medication side effects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand. It's hard because I went to private and so did my husband and I'm nervous of public especially with his issues.

Why do you think private would be better? Class sizes? Because you'd be paying for a higher quality experience? Academics?

[Anonymous]

Class size, no comparisons, peers that are similar, careful parents, etc.

[Anonymous]

With epilepsy there's a better chance of getting an aide in public. You could have dr document that he could have seizures at school that could endanger him (drop seizures, uncontrolled seizure).

I hear you on the behaviors thing. It's so hard, so very very hard. We got rejected from Kingsbury twice because they didn't feel like they could handle DS's behaviors. They were probably right. His behaviors need a specialized approach that he is getting at another school. I would mention that school but it only takes kids funded by their jurisdiction.

We hated public due to misunderstanding of the behaviors and therefore not approaching them in the most effective way and the peer issues. I would not imagine that services would be super in Old Town public schools so that would concern me.

I agree Newton could be a possibility. Auburn?

[Anonymous]

Yes, we will move if public. I'm guessing fcps or Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Op, can the seizures and/or medications be causing the behavioral issues? Some of the epilepsy mess can cause behavioral and other side effects (but they are necessary). I would not drive to MD, especially to a school that demands you medicate. What if the meds do not work or need adjusted? Can your child handle that long of a drive? How would you get there quickly if there was a medical emergency? I have commuted with my kid for the past 4 years 30 minutes each way and its fine as I am not working but it's basically a big chunk of my day.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should hire a consultant to help advise you on schools. There are folks who specialize in that for SN kids. It could save you a lot of time and heartache and may get you better advice than crowdsourcing here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With epilepsy there's a better chance of getting an aide in public. You could have dr document that he could have seizures at school that could endanger him (drop seizures, uncontrolled seizure).

I hear you on the behaviors thing. It's so hard, so very very hard. We got rejected from Kingsbury twice because they didn't feel like they could handle DS's behaviors. They were probably right. His behaviors need a specialized approach that he is getting at another school. I would mention that school but it only takes kids funded by their jurisdiction.

We hated public due to misunderstanding of the behaviors and therefore not approaching them in the most effective way and the peer issues. I would not imagine that services would be super in Old Town public schools so that would concern me.

I agree Newton could be a possibility. Auburn?

Do you mind sharing the name of that school? I have a friend whose dc
is not doing so well in an FCPS ED class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lab does not take kids with this profile. You should look at Kingsbury but even they won't deal with these issues unless you put him on medication. If you look at Maddux, you want to be sure he won't stick out and or it will be hard for him to make friends, which will be stressful for him and you.

I'm surprised to hear this. Lab does take students with ADHD. I'm also surprised to hear people recommending public schools with an IEP - the notion that a public school will effectively serve a child like this seems to be a bit of a stretch.