school suggestions for kid with SPD and behavioral issues

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone... Not happy with our current school situation in the city and looking for elementary school suggestions. DC is struggling with emotional regulation (but hasn't been diagnosed as ODD or ED, at least not yet) and needs a fresh start.

At this point, I'm open to DCPS, charters, private schools (in or out of the city). I'm so tired, I'll even take suggestions for good public school districts outside of the city.

Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the behavioral issues? Does he see a psychologist or has he had a neuropsych? They might be able to recommend schools.

[Anonymous]

I feel your pain. We have been through a lot of schools over here. My SPD/behavioral problem kid ended up with a severe anxiety/OCD DX. Medication helped tremendously.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Psychologist. OT. Behavior ranges from defiance to tantrums. SPD is a big factor in the behavior and it's relatively unpredictable. Not a regular occurrence any more (part of the reason we need a fresh start), but it can be a big episode when it happens (at least to the school it's big).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel your pain. We have been through a lot of schools over here. My SPD/behavioral problem kid ended up with a severe anxiety/OCD DX. Medication helped tremendously.

How many meds did you need to try to find the right one? Current med gives a "flat affect" and sleepiness - I feel like I'm crushing who my kid is so he can attend school.

[Anonymous]

We started with Intuniv for a year or so. Didn't seem to do much but make DS a bit groggy and tired. Took a med break. Then we went to Risperdal, added Prozac to deal with the OCD. That combo worked great for the OCD and anxiety-fueled aggression. Unfortunatley the Risperdal caused very rapid weight gain. Now we're trying Abilify + Prozac.

[Anonymous]

Can you afford private? Isn't Auburn (in VA) supposed to be for sensory kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford private? Isn't Auburn (in VA) supposed to be for sensory kids.

Auburn will not take kids with major behavioral issues. But OP should at least go visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the behavioral issues? Does he see a psychologist or has he had a neuropsych? They might be able to recommend schools.

+1. At least get a neuropsych first so you know what is causing the behavioral issues. A good neuropsych will recommend a good child psychiatrist if they think medical management will help.

GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Psychologist. OT. Behavior ranges from defiance to tantrums. SPD is a big factor in the behavior and it's relatively unpredictable. Not a regular occurrence any more (part of the reason we need a fresh start), but it can be a big episode when it happens (at least to the school it's big).

Has he had a neuropsych eval or a psycho-educational evaluation yet?

[Anonymous]

OP. School did psycho-educational. Called it ADHD and SPD. On an IEP. No LDs. Performing at grade level. IEP and meds have helped reduce intensity, duration and frequency of incidents. We've made lots of progress. But at DC's age, several small incidents or even one big incident is an issue for the school (or summer camps, or little league, etc.) We've been to so many specialists... OTs, developmental peds, psychiatrists, psychologists. All but one agreed not ASD. All agree not ODD. No neuro-psychs though.
DC feels like a "monster" because of way school and other kids react to episodes. Needs a clean slate and maybe a place where teachers (and kids) have a better understanding of SPD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. School did psycho-educational. Called it ADHD and SPD. On an IEP. No LDs. Performing at grade level. IEP and meds have helped reduce intensity, duration and frequency of incidents. We've made lots of progress. But at DC's age, several small incidents or even one big incident is an issue for the school (or summer camps, or little league, etc.) We've been to so many specialists... OTs, developmental peds, psychiatrists, psychologists. All but one agreed not ASD. All agree not ODD. No neuro-psychs though.
DC feels like a "monster" because of way school and other kids react to episodes. Needs a clean slate and maybe a place where teachers (and kids) have a better understanding of SPD.

I'm here with you at age 3. I'm so sorry you are going thru this. I personally think the teachers in many instances are just not comment and there is such a rush to label and drug. Kids have tantrums that's what they do.
I just don't know about the schools in this area any more. It's as if you don't fit the cookie cutter model their is something wrong with you

[Anonymous]

If you are looking at a SN school, they require a neuropsych eval or psycho-edcuational eval for admissions. The later is usually for kids 5 and younger. However, since SPD isn't in the DSM, I'm surprised that they gave that finding. Was the testing conducted by a psychologist?

[Anonymous]

OP. Yes, it was a psychologist. I think only reason they acknowledged the SPD was because we had reams of evaluations from all of the other specialists we saw before the psycho-ed. I agree, if it wasn't for that, it wouldn't likely have been included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking at a SN school, they require a neuropsych eval or psycho-edcuational eval for admissions. The later is usually for kids 5 and younger. However, since SPD isn't in the DSM, I'm surprised that they gave that finding. Was the testing conducted by a psychologist?

Most public schools will only do a psychoeducational eval bc it costs less not due to age. If you want a full neuropsych, you'll have to fight the school or pay for it yourself. Children's and KKI will take insurance with copayment for a neuropsych eval.