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.

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.

Please give me your thoughts. I am confused too. This is OP. We do indeed have behavioral issues but they are impulse control and hyperactivity and not following directions issues. I am not sure what public would look like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

thanks. I will start searching for recs on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Please give me your thoughts. I am confused too. This is OP. We do indeed have behavioral issues but they are impulse control and hyperactivity and not following directions issues. I am not sure what public would look like.

A bit of advice from a BTDT mom with nothing but positive intent.

First, ignore the term ADHD. It's overly used, extremely broad, and often mis-diagnosed.
Second, ignore school types and reputations. Public, private, "involved parents" -- it doesn't matter. You want staff with relevant experience.
Third, remember that no school is perfect forever. If there's not a "fit", it's because the school's profile and staffing don't align with your wonderful child.

Now, start over screening schools with what you know for sure about your child -- epilepsy, behavioral support (PBIS, etc), under 6 years old, needs classroom aide. Remember, ignore ADHD for now.

The Lab School would score 0 out of 4. They would be the first to tell you.

A public school in Alexandria might get 4 out of 4. It may not be perfect, but it may be good enough for a year or two until you can get more info on cognitive and academic skills.

Special Education at public schools varies by school and student needs. Classroom aides, behavior specialists, PT, OT, can be in the same school with a TAG/G&T program. Federal disability law requires public school systems to make resources available for your child's disabilities. Privates, no matter how expensive and how demanding the parents, are not required to offer this without an IEP. So try to keep an open mind about public vs private for early elementary grades.

But then there's the third rail of 2e. Neither public nor private schools have ideal profiles for twice exceptional kids. There are supporters and detractors of 2e. Only you can decide if you think it's worth exploring for your child. I'm no expert, but the the hyperactivity and not following instructions in a typical classroom environment sound a lot like 2e kids I know.

Best of luck OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Please give me your thoughts. I am confused too. This is OP. We do indeed have behavioral issues but they are impulse control and hyperactivity and not following directions issues. I am not sure what public would look like.

A bit of advice from a BTDT mom with nothing but positive intent.

First, ignore the term ADHD. It's overly used, extremely broad, and often mis-diagnosed.
Second, ignore school types and reputations. Public, private, "involved parents" -- it doesn't matter. You want staff with relevant experience.
Third, remember that no school is perfect forever. If there's not a "fit", it's because the school's profile and staffing don't align with your wonderful child.

Now, start over screening schools with what you know for sure about your child -- epilepsy, behavioral support (PBIS, etc), under 6 years old, needs classroom aide. Remember, ignore ADHD for now.

The Lab School would score 0 out of 4. They would be the first to tell you.

A public school in Alexandria might get 4 out of 4. It may not be perfect, but it may be good enough for a year or two until you can get more info on cognitive and academic skills.

Special Education at public schools varies by school and student needs. Classroom aides, behavior specialists, PT, OT, can be in the same school with a TAG/G&T program. Federal disability law requires public school systems to make resources available for your child's disabilities. Privates, no matter how expensive and how demanding the parents, are not required to offer this without an IEP. So try to keep an open mind about public vs private for early elementary grades.

But then there's the third rail of 2e. Neither public nor private schools have ideal profiles for twice exceptional kids. There are supporters and detractors of 2e. Only you can decide if you think it's worth exploring for your child. I'm no expert, but the the hyperactivity and not following instructions in a typical classroom environment sound a lot like 2e kids I know.

Best of luck OP!

I feel hopelessly uninformed - what is 2e, why does it sound like that, and what does that mean?

[Anonymous]

NP - 2e means 'twice exceptional'

Gifted + a learning disability/SN (dylexia, ADHD)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP - 2e means 'twice exceptional'

Gifted + a learning disability/SN (dylexia, ADHD)

Well, we won't know his IQ until much later and right now we have a hard time even getting him to sit, so, we really do not have any idea about how he is doing there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP - 2e means 'twice exceptional'

Gifted + a learning disability/SN (dylexia, ADHD)

Well, we won't know his IQ until much later and right now we have a hard time even getting him to sit, so, we really do not have any idea about how he is doing there.

The rest of 10:52's advice is solid. You are probably going to have your child in a couple of schools as he matures and you learn more about his needs. Look for one that can handle today's challenges and when those resolve or improve you reassess.

[Anonymous]

San privates are a waste of time and money at this point-he is only 4, you haven't tried medication yet, etc. Get him an IEP through your local school district and see how K goes.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others who suggested public school first. That's a good place to get your child screened, and public schools do have Special Ed teachers and psychologists as staff -- something rare in private schools unless they are private schools for SN children. A year or two at the public school will give you enough information on what school environment your child will thrive in.

I have a 6 y/o with impulsive behavior and emotional regulation problems which a private school was not able to handle. When we moved him to a public school 4 weeks ago, he did have impulsivity and regulation challenges the first two weeks, but he was able to participate a lot in school activities. He comes home now with stories he wrote, math work, reading workbook. The first two weeks of impulsivity were handled really well by the school -- I could tell that they spent a lot of time building a relationship with my child by talking to him and allowing him to express his feelings. He'll be on his fifth week in this new school next week, and I am simply amazed by the improvements he has shown. We are meeting with the school again next week to discuss his 504 (initial meeting was last week) -- yes, only 5 weeks into the new school and we are all planning what to put in his 504. I'm very happy with our school.

Of course we support our kid other ways, and do not believe that it is entirely the school's responsibility to help my child thrive. Other things that we do are the following:
1) Occupational therapy once a week
2) Biofeedback once a week
3) Minimal chiropractic adjustment (gentle with activator tool)
4) Social skills group once a week

Good luck.