Looking for a private school to accomodate dyslexia...

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for local elementary schools that can accommodate a kid with dyslexia?

Thank you in advance,
Mom

[Anonymous]

The usual suspects - Lab, McLean, etc. Lab really specializes in this. There is lots on the SN board on this topic. Also ask your neuropsych as they may have some experience with the local schools.

It also depends on the age of the child and the extent of the issue. Mine stayed in mainstream schools the whole time but it was very difficult at times. Schools are usually willing to meet accommodations but if the curriculum is very traditional it may not be a good fit. You need to understand how your child learns and where the challenges are, which is different for different kids. Dyslexia cover a wide range of learners.

[Anonymous]

What area are you looking for? Are you looking for a typical private that can "accommodate" dyslexia or a special needs school that can help with learning strategies and specialized instruction? You might also want to post in the Special Needs forum. The Lab school in DC and the Siena school in Silver Spring are two schools for kids with language based learning differences.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your replies. NoVA, DC, or MD [Potomac/Bethesda/Gaithersburg area] are all accessible for us.

[Anonymous]

I hear good things about Woods Academy. Friend's dyslexic child is there and they have been very happy with his progress.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! How religious is Woods Academy? We are not Catholic.

[Anonymous]

I'd be careful that the school will actually be able to support your child. I have a kid with mild SN in private and it works most of the time, but there's a child we know with dyslexia and it has been a struggle. She works privately with Lindamood Bell tutors, but I'm not sure how well the classroom teaching works for her.

[Anonymous]

Oakwood in Annandale and perhaps the Newton School in Sterling.

[Anonymous]

For future reference St. John's, Paul Vi and good counsel have programs for kids with mild ld's ... For HS.

It does not matter that you are not catholic but going to a woods would help with admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The usual suspects - Lab, McLean, etc. Lab really specializes in this. There is lots on the SN board on this topic. Also ask your neuropsych as they may have some experience with the local schools.

Lab specializes in dyslexia as does Siena School. McLean does not. It's not a SN school. OP take a tour of Lab and Siena. They will knock your socks off.

[Anonymous]

Highly recommend Siena for dyslexia!

[Anonymous]

Mild, moderate or severe dyslexia, OP? Any co-occurring issues? That makes a big difference in helping define school options.

[Anonymous]

5:59 again, sorry. Also, do you mean accommodate in the literal sense, i.e., are you seeking only classroom accommodations? Or do you hope for special instruction and a real understanding of LDs?

[Anonymous]

Most will accommodate dyslexia, I think, but you will need to be in charge of the extra supports needed. And there will be extras, like tutoring. How old is your child, OP, and how new is the dx? Do go over to the Special Needs Forum for more info on dyslexia, if you are looking for it.

Dyslexia is very common, OP, and if your child is still very young (like K, 1st, 2nd) there is every reason to think your child would thrive at a mainstream school, with support. If your child is older and has been struggling for a few years, a more tailored learning environment might help a lot!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most will accommodate dyslexia, I think, but you will need to be in charge of the extra supports needed. And there will be extras, like tutoring. How old is your child, OP, and how new is the dx? Do go over to the Special Needs Forum for more info on dyslexia, if you are looking for it.

Dyslexia is very common, OP, and if your child is still very young (like K, 1st, 2nd) there is every reason to think your child would thrive at a mainstream school, with support. If your child is older and has been struggling for a few years, a more tailored learning environment might help a lot!

Good luck!

I posted earlier in the thread. I don't think any of us posting here are saying a child with dyslexia can't thrive in a mainstream school. But in my experience, many administrators and faculty in independent schools lack awareness of and information about how to best help kids with LDs. This means parents have to ask a lot of questions and do a lot more work, especially if the school doesn't have a learning specialist. It can be difficult at times, as several of us have noted in this thread. That's why I asked OP what kind of supports she seeks and how significant the dyslexia is.