Maddux versus Public School with IEP

[Anonymous]

I realize this has been discussed on here before but the conversation got pretty diluted. We have decided to do another year of Pre-K but as we look towards the next year we think our options might be Maddux (if we get in) or public school with an IEP. I have heard about Diener too but have not visited so I can't judge the kids. My DS is smart, extremely vocal but has sensory and regulatory issues ( I'd say on the moderate, definitely not severe side), and the big issue is his tendency to play solo without tons of prompting. I have lots of "experts" in social groups and OT telling me he'll need a small environment like Maddux. But the devil's advocate in me says, won't he "get it" albeit later than other kids, eventually on the social side, and if he doesn't will two years of a special school really help? When I was in elementary school there were plenty of kids like my DS and isn't it better to be exposed to a more typical environment. My concern is that once you start down this "small, special" environment, you are locking yourself in to exposing your child to a very certain type of environment, that's not like the real world. Ok, I realize we are talking about 4 and 5 year olds, but you know what I mean.

I'd love to hear from Maddux or Diener parents that were able to mainstream their kids after a year or two there, or from people who chose to mainstream right away and hear how it went. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Do you live anywhere near Maddux? Does your son know any kids in the neighborhood who might be in his class at public school?

I think neighborhood schools can be great for kids like yours. He really needs just one friend that he can see a lot and proximity makes a big difference.

In my expereince, when you get a bunch of kids with social challenges together, there is no one to do a lot of the "heavy lifting" and it can be even more challenging. Having a mix of more typical peers can help, along with a teacher who is more socially attuned.

[Anonymous]

Does he have problems with fine motor? Lots of targeted fine motor OT is one of the pluses of Maddux.

Does he play well, albiet independently? We were scared off by their "guided play", my child wouldn't take well to that degree of micomanagement, but for some kids who aren't able to play, it can be really helpful.

How easily will his sensory needs be accomodated in a bigger classroom? Are we talking "doesn't like to touch glue" or "freaks out if there is background noise"?

What about a school like St. Columba's where he can work on his social skills in a more typical environment and where they understand the sensory piece? I think they have spots.

[Anonymous]

No, we do not live anywhere near Maddux -- it would be quite a financial and geographic burden for us. My hope would be to do it for a year to give him a boost. But yes, PP, you hit my concern -- how do a bunch of kids who don't know how to socialize learn how to socialize together?

[Anonymous]

Do you live in DC or close in MC? I like the St. Columba's idea. It's not a full day so there is time to have playdates after school. My kiddo with regulatory issues does best socializing on the playground, not sure about yours, and St. C's focuses a lot on outdoor play. If you and your son are going to be spending hours in the car each day (and you will be stressed out by the $), I'd try a good preschool rather than Maddux. I had a friend who paid a grad student to shadow her child at St. C's, I think just for a few months. The student was able to foster playing with other kids (and the teachers and lots of playdates helped) and after a while it just took off.

[Anonymous]

I think that the kids at Diener might have more issues than your son.

[Anonymous]

This would be for K, not pre-school.

[Anonymous]

McLean can be good for this, or a school like Grace Episcopal, both have very small classes. St. C's and NCRC often have kids that stay for an "extra" year before K too.

If you are not close to Maddux and would not stay more than a year, it might be hard if he DID make friends, he'd just have to enter a whole new group the next year. What would the social support be at your local public? It really just takes one well suited, loyal friend.

[Anonymous]

what are the kids typically like at Maddux and Diener?

[Anonymous]

recent thread with maddux info
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/55533.page

[Anonymous]

One thing I would be careful about at both schools (Maddux or Diener) is the interactions between the teachers and kids. The programs are both great on paper but they are implemented by people. Like any school they have a certain culture. Is it a place you would want to spend your days? Of course, you have to make sure that the kids are the right fit for your child too.

I personally found the atmosphere at Maddux cold and institutional. I had really wanted to like it. The director has great social skills, but how much is she in the classroom? The teachers are the role models and if they don't relate in a warm and appropriate way it doesn't help the kids as much. One in particular seemed to "bark" at the kids. My kid does best in a warm and supportive atmosphere with patient, friendly adults. I didn't see a lot of smiles on my tours of Maddux (teachers or kids). I thought that the kids looked tense. The half day teachers did seem warmer.

We are a big Floortime family (kid with regulatory issues) and got the strong sense that it would not be a good fit. It's not just a school, it is a therapeutic environment, so the right fit is so crucial. I've known a few kids that went to Maddux, some did a lot better and some were more or less unchanged/more withdrawn.

A poster in another thread said that the staff interactions she saw with the kids at Diener were "disturbing". It was too far for us so we didn't look at it.

[Anonymous]

PP (12:08) Where did you wind up sending your kids to school? We do floortime too -- does floortime not fit in with Maddux?

[Anonymous]

I did not get the sense that the administrators are fans of the Greenspans or of Floortime. I understand from acquaintances who have had kids at the school that they use a very behaviorist model. The atmosphere and interactions between the teachers and the kids did not seem warm/related, which is what works best for my particular child.

We were very close to the cutoff anyway (very end of August bday) so we ended up doing an extra year of preschool.

[Anonymous]

my dc is going to maddux, and we do floortime. we decided that in a school environment, the structure that comforts her would help her learn and master the skills that she needs to master. then at home we will challenge her with floortime (when she is open to it), and her private therapists also use that model in treating her (speech and ot). we did not think a mix of approaches would be a problem. we're trying it, and we'll see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

I would not get into a discussion about doing floortime with Lucy or Andrea.

I hope that your daughter has a great year.