Rundown of schools to look into

[Anonymous]

Hi there
I have DS's who are not doing well at start of 5th grade. ADHD and rigid thinker (not aspergers) kind of one big NOS, the other ADHD And anxiety and dysgraphia.
The main issue is actually SOCIAL in that there is misery for DS's at school, can't handle unstructured time and don't get subtleties of friendships and care. Deepening depression. We are fortunate to have resources and have done psych, are in therapy for long term, ST/PT/OT route for a long time.

We are looking at new schools and wondering if someone could offer suggestions for schools to look into. Academically somewhat high functioning so far. Manage work fine (though homework a struggle for one)

Here is my list so far of schools that may accommodate/be good in MD/DC area. It's hard because the main trauma is social -

Sandy Spring
Auburn
Lab
Edmund Burke
Sienna

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi there
I have DS's who are not doing well at start of 5th grade. ADHD and rigid thinker (not aspergers) kind of one big NOS, the other ADHD And anxiety and dysgraphia.
The main issue is actually SOCIAL in that there is misery for DS's at school, can't handle unstructured time and don't get subtleties of friendships and care. Deepening depression. We are fortunate to have resources and have done psych, are in therapy for long term, ST/PT/OT route for a long time.

We are looking at new schools and wondering if someone could offer suggestions for schools to look into. Academically somewhat high functioning so far. Manage work fine (though homework a struggle for one)

Here is my list so far of schools that may accommodate/be good in MD/DC area. It's hard because the main trauma is social -

Sandy Spring
Auburn
Lab
Edmund Burke
Sienna

Thoughts?

McLean
Commonwealth
Field

Auburn has more ASD students from what I understand Their sister school, Sienna, has more ADHD students.

[Anonymous]

Many of the SN schools on your list will be represented at the upcoming Exceptional Schools Fair at AU:
http://www.exceptionalschoolsfair.com

For most you will need a full educational evaluation that is 2-3 years old. Most deadlines are in January.

Edmund Burke, Field, and Sandy Spring don't specialize in SN but may or may not be a good fit. You really need to tour the schools.

[Anonymous]

New

[Anonymous]

I heard Sienna has more kids who are more behind academically but Auburn has more that are ahead and allows for advancement in reading and math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard Sienna has more kids who are more behind academically but Auburn has more that are ahead and allows for advancement in reading and math?

Those two schools have totally different missions and student populations. Sienna specializes in kids with language-based learning disabilities (i.e. dyslexia). Auburn specializes in kids who need social learning supporting (including, but not limited to, autism).

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thank you and for fair info. I will tour all. Any with luck on midyearth entry? What to do for rest of their year? Touring soon and will get testi started

Little keswick?

[Anonymous]

Siena, Commpnwealth, and Lab will not take your kid unless he has a language based learning disability. You may want to also look at Chelsea. Mid-year acceptances at all three very hard. You may also want to look at Parkmont for next year.

[Anonymous]

Add Kingsbury to the list OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Siena, Commpnwealth, and Lab will not take your kid unless he has a language based learning disability. You may want to also look at Chelsea. Mid-year acceptances at all three very hard. You may also want to look at Parkmont for next year.

Lab also accepts kids with ADHD.

OP, you'll need testing thats between 2-3 years old if you want admission in any SN school.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, will look into those.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that many of these schools offer summer programs, which helps with backsliding and skills over the summer. It's a good way to get a feel for a school as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Siena, Commpnwealth, and Lab will not take your kid unless he has a language based learning disability. You may want to also look at Chelsea. Mid-year acceptances at all three very hard. You may also want to look at Parkmont for next year.

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I toured Commonwealth and they stated clearly that is primarily for kids with ADHD, though it seems like they are open to working with other learning differences. The curriculum emphasizes executive functions everywhere. I was very impressed and loved it but didn't end up having son go. My son has same issues (ADHD, anxiety, dysgraphia) and Oakwood is another that I looked into.

Lab is a definite possibility for those with dysgraphia, which of course is a language based learning disability. The kids I know who have gone through had ADHD or dyslexia.

Of course you should check everything out yourself but I talked with the folks at McLean and it definitely didn't seem like a good fit for my child. I got the impression that they are okay with accommodating some differences but mostly work for a variety of kids because of the teacher-student ratio and extra attention to kids. It won't necessarily work to support learning differences. This is surely ideal for some, but wouldn't have been enough for my guy who has severe dysgraphia but is also very advanced academically.