Aspie kids in the Big 3 Schools

[Anonymous]

My DC has Asperger's syndrome. What schools would be the best fit for him out of:
St. Alban's, Sidwell, and Maret?
He is very academically gifted as well at artistically gifted. He also excels in sports such as tennis and soccer He is very high functioning and his only problems are with social interactions. He shadowed at all of the schools plus GDS. He liked Sidwell the best. He needs a school with small class sizes a structured program and outlets for music, arts, sports, incorporated into the program. He also needs an academically challenging curriculum for math and a strong writing program. Which of these schools would be the best match for him.

Any first hand experience with children with Autism in the fabulous 4? All four schools said that they have had several children with Asperger's do very well in their schools and went on to top Universities.

[Anonymous]

Wow, as I glanced over your post, I felt like I was reading about my own DS. He is currently 8 years old, in 4th grade, and excels academically and sportswise, but is also not very social. But, as I tell my husband, "If DS did not do so well in sports, people would think he was a hermit!"

We have attributed his behaviour to being more "quiet" or "introverted", but now I wonder if he has Aspergers. He also prefers to be alone and we have often found him reading a book on the sofa when he has a playdate over (the friend is playing happily in the basement with my younger DS). He does not generally initiate conversations and sometimes flat out does not answer. When we ask him if he hears people talking to him, he says, "Yes, but I just don't feel like answering."

We are in Mont. Co public schools and are considering private b/c we think it would be a more nurturing environment. My DS is also very hard on himself grade-wise. Even though he does not like to speak up in class, he raises his hand in order to get an "A" in Participation. BTW, his teachers also think there is "no problem" b/c he is a quiet, well behaved, straight A student and that we should consider the GT program (if he gets in).

I know that your son has been accepted at St. Albans, Maret AND Sidwell! Congratulations!! What school environment are you coming from? Also, did your pediatrician help w/ the diagnosis?

Good luck to your DS - it sounds like he is in good hands and has many good choices. I wish you all the best!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, as I glanced over your post, I felt like I was reading about my own DS. He is currently 8 years old, in 4th grade, and excels academically and sportswise, but is also not very social. But, as I tell my husband, "If DS did not do so well in sports, people would think he was a hermit!"

We have attributed his behaviour to being more "quiet" or "introverted", but now I wonder if he has Aspergers. He also prefers to be alone and we have often found him reading a book on the sofa when he has a playdate over (the friend is playing happily in the basement with my younger DS). He does not generally initiate conversations and sometimes flat out does not answer. When we ask him if he hears people talking to him, he says, "Yes, but I just don't feel like answering."

We are in Mont. Co public schools and are considering private b/c we think it would be a more nurturing environment. My DS is also very hard on himself grade-wise. Even though he does not like to speak up in class, he raises his hand in order to get an "A" in Participation. BTW, his teachers also think there is "no problem" b/c he is a quiet, well behaved, straight A student and that we should consider the GT program (if he gets in).

I know that your son has been accepted at St. Albans, Maret AND Sidwell! Congratulations!! What school environment are you coming from? Also, did your pediatrician help w/ the diagnosis?

Good luck to your DS - it sounds like he is in good hands and has many good choices. I wish you all the best!

We are currently at a MCPS. He is fine with his school work but he has shut down to any type of social interactions. I really feel that he needs a private school setting at this point with small class sizes and various classes to arouse his interest. He was diagnosed by a psychologist I took him to because of his social shut down at school. Your son sounds like my son. He might be fine in the GT program. My son was in GT at his school for 4th and now 5th but he still was very akward with the other children. They were use to him and like him for who he was. I am glad they did not tease him and isolate him. He is fine with the children outside of school as in playdates. So he was still able to a a few friends. That helps alot.

[Anonymous]

How old is he?

For high school, I think any of the three would be fine. They are very strong academically (but the work load is very heavy).

For Middle School, St. Albans might be best - it's the most structured (by far) of the three.

If your son, like many Aspie kids, is very attentive to rules, Sidwell and GDS may be less comfortable. I think the culture at those very liberal schools has a strong dose of "let's see what we can get away with" and rule-breakers, to a point, are admired by their peers.

[Anonymous]

To OP - is your son at Chevy Chase elem for the GT Program? Does he enjoy it there? Have you decided on which school he will attend in the fall? Good luck!