The McLean School: ASD kids need not apply

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to wit:"Our Abilities Model® starts with gifts and helps all students — conventional learners as well as those with challenges such as dyslexia, anxiety, and ADHD, or organizational challenges".

That is not on the spectrum.

NP. I have a DC with ASD (mild, sorry not sorry), who is on/above grade level, and some some executive functioning and organizational challenges. I would read the above and think it would be a good fit for my DC - until they say out loud that they do not take kids with ASD. Okay, then, no. We would walk out then too.

I disagree. I am reading "dyslexia, anxiety and ADHD, or organizational challenges". THAT does not say on the spectrum. Each SN school in the area has its own mission statement. You need to READ the statement and if confused, call. The McLean School has always in my mind been clear on autism. So you go look at Ivymont or the other area schools that specialize in that. For the same reason, Commonwealth Academy clearly states as its mission statement that it is for average to gifted kids with ADHD. It, too, will steer clear of ASD because its teachers are not equipped to teach to that set of issues.

CALL AND ASK THE School first. Don't blast them here.

I have nothing to do with the McLean School but think OP was grossly unfair. She should have read the particulars and if confused call and ask.

OP here: We were on the website. We had a consultant call on our behalf. Admissions said they do accept ASD kids, so long as they are engaged. That's why we went to the open house.

So you got the official info from admissions. You are putting way too muck stock in a brief remark from a person in a very temporary position. There is no need for all this drama.

Yep! Smelling a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disgusted. You'd think the co-head of school would have a bit more intelligence and class to not categorically dismiss a whole group of kids in a public statement.

I'm sure this won't make you feel better OP but this school is only good for a specific type of kid. They make kids who are not that bright seem bright by lowering the standards. It works for kids who feel stupid because they can't cut it in a mainstream environment by building up their self esteem but it doesn't really provide the support you'd think the do. It's a trick in some ways because they are not achieving more. They are just changing the goal posts but I do think this service is valuable to some kids.

You actually don't know she said it the way OP presents it. The McLean School is clear in its literature that it's not for autistic students. The schools are clear in their mission statements. Here's a list of the SN schools in the area. For autism you should look at St. Colletta, Ivymount, Phillips School and Kennedy Krieger. https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/11/01/special-needs-private-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-1/

OP here. DC is doing great in a school that is not designed for kids with ASD, so I have no idea why we would consider those schools. Not every kid with ASD needs to be in a school for kids with ASD. See the previous posts in this string.

That’s the hard part- a lot of ASD kids do better when integrated into classrooms that are majority or all neurotypical kids. As the number of kids with ASD increases, it will be harder to find space in these kinds of classrooms.

What you’re experiencing is those kinds of schools that do allow a small minority of ASD kids into their cohorts admitting that they are limiting the number of ASD kids to what they consider a manageable amount. It’s great for the kids that have ASD and join those schools early, but other families like yours are getting left on the outside looking in. Parents of “high functioning” (forgive the term) ASD kids are saying they want their kids in a neurotypical classroom, and parents of neurotypical kids are saying they want their kids in a neurotypical classroom. I’m not sure if we have a good solution for this in this generation.

Sure we have a good solution - the ADA prohibits segregating kids based on their disability alone.

I’m not an education lawyer but I’m pretty sure that Title II only applies to public schools and that Title III and “reasonable accommodations” leaves a ton of room for private schools to admit or deny whomever they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disgusted. You'd think the co-head of school would have a bit more intelligence and class to not categorically dismiss a whole group of kids in a public statement.

I'm sure this won't make you feel better OP but this school is only good for a specific type of kid. They make kids who are not that bright seem bright by lowering the standards. It works for kids who feel stupid because they can't cut it in a mainstream environment by building up their self esteem but it doesn't really provide the support you'd think the do. It's a trick in some ways because they are not achieving more. They are just changing the goal posts but I do think this service is valuable to some kids.

You actually don't know she said it the way OP presents it. The McLean School is clear in its literature that it's not for autistic students. The schools are clear in their mission statements. Here's a list of the SN schools in the area. For autism you should look at St. Colletta, Ivymount, Phillips School and Kennedy Krieger. https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/11/01/special-needs-private-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-1/

A school like Mclean cannot categorically reject students based on a disability. Hopefully they get sued.

I’m not sure that’s true. It’s a private school.

The ADA applies to private entities.

Only so much as it goes to reasonable accommodations. They can say they can’t provide reasonable accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disgusted. You'd think the co-head of school would have a bit more intelligence and class to not categorically dismiss a whole group of kids in a public statement.

I'm sure this won't make you feel better OP but this school is only good for a specific type of kid. They make kids who are not that bright seem bright by lowering the standards. It works for kids who feel stupid because they can't cut it in a mainstream environment by building up their self esteem but it doesn't really provide the support you'd think the do. It's a trick in some ways because they are not achieving more. They are just changing the goal posts but I do think this service is valuable to some kids.

You actually don't know she said it the way OP presents it. The McLean School is clear in its literature that it's not for autistic students. The schools are clear in their mission statements. Here's a list of the SN schools in the area. For autism you should look at St. Colletta, Ivymount, Phillips School and Kennedy Krieger. https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/11/01/special-needs-private-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-1/

A school like Mclean cannot categorically reject students based on a disability. Hopefully they get sued.

Why do you post when you don't have a clue what you are talking about? You waste everyone's time. The McLean School is a private school for SN kids. It can do anything it wants. It can admit anyone it wants. It can counsel out anyone it wants to. It has a mission statement set out by a board of directors or trustees. It says it addresses ADHD kids/executive functioning/dyslexia. It does not say it handles autism kids well. There are lists of special needs schools in the area like the one listed above. After each school the mission statement is provided. It is incumbent upon the parent to READ the mission statements and figure out where their kids' diagnosis might be best served. It is not incumbent upon the school to read the mind of the parent or the child. Or do you expect the schools to list what diagnoses and issues they do NOT handle? Do you realize how long that list is? For the record there are four schools in the DC area that handle autism. Ivymount is the best known. The other three are St. colletta, Phillips and Kennedy Krieger. Those schools, too, can take any applicant they wish to and they can turn away anyone they wish to - like the ignorant OP. The McLean School narrowly missed a bullet on her.

Educate yourself before posting. No one is suing anyone. The McLean School did nothing wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disgusted. You'd think the co-head of school would have a bit more intelligence and class to not categorically dismiss a whole group of kids in a public statement.

I'm sure this won't make you feel better OP but this school is only good for a specific type of kid. They make kids who are not that bright seem bright by lowering the standards. It works for kids who feel stupid because they can't cut it in a mainstream environment by building up their self esteem but it doesn't really provide the support you'd think the do. It's a trick in some ways because they are not achieving more. They are just changing the goal posts but I do think this service is valuable to some kids.

You actually don't know she said it the way OP presents it. The McLean School is clear in its literature that it's not for autistic students. The schools are clear in their mission statements. Here's a list of the SN schools in the area. For autism you should look at St. Colletta, Ivymount, Phillips School and Kennedy Krieger. https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/11/01/special-needs-private-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-1/

A school like Mclean cannot categorically reject students based on a disability. Hopefully they get sued.

I’m not sure that’s true. It’s a private school.

The ADA applies to private entities.

Only so much as it goes to reasonable accommodations. They can say they can’t provide reasonable accommodations.

ADA addresses only "equitable access" meaning wheelchair ramps, hearing aids, test notes, if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP: how is it abelist and wrong? Some kids with autism are nonverbal and cannot attend school. Other kids can attend mainstream schools without any support. And kids fall anywhere in between. When you get an autism diagnosis, it's literally measured on a numerical system. It's called Autism SPECTRUM Disorder. The accommodations recommended for ASD kids are largely based on that measure. Do you really think a kid who can function in a mainstream school is the same as a kid who can't speak, wears diapers, and requires a caregiver? They are all the same? We measure intelligence on a scale. Is that ableist? We measure executive functioning skills on a scale, too. Is any measure ableist? When I say "high-functioning," I'm referring to a kid at the end of the spectrum who needs little to no supports. Honestly, that's like saying that describing someone as having a "stage" of cancer is wrong because anyone who has cancer just has cancer.

Nothing about autism is mild though realistically speaking. Even “high functioning” autism still impacts an individual’s life on a daily basis. It still requires hours upon hours of interventions, constant hard work from the individual with autism, nothing high functioning or mild about it. I don’t mind the term personally and don’t think it’s ableist but never forget the fact that high functioning or mild or level 1 autism is anything but difficult. Sure it’s a different set of challenges than level 2 or 3 or other disabilities but the challenges are real and often debilitating even if others consider it mild.

… and so does ADHD. Mclean seems to view autism as a stigmatizing diagnosis. [/quote]

No it doesn't. The website is clear as to their mission statement. OP didn't read it and didn't check it out in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to wit:"Our Abilities Model® starts with gifts and helps all students — conventional learners as well as those with challenges such as dyslexia, anxiety, and ADHD, or organizational challenges".

That is not on the spectrum.

NP. I have a DC with ASD (mild, sorry not sorry), who is on/above grade level, and some some executive functioning and organizational challenges. I would read the above and think it would be a good fit for my DC - until they say out loud that they do not take kids with ASD. Okay, then, no. We would walk out then too.

I disagree. I am reading "dyslexia, anxiety and ADHD, or organizational challenges". THAT does not say on the spectrum. Each SN school in the area has its own mission statement. You need to READ the statement and if confused, call. The McLean School has always in my mind been clear on autism. So you go look at Ivymont or the other area schools that specialize in that. For the same reason, Commonwealth Academy clearly states as its mission statement that it is for average to gifted kids with ADHD. It, too, will steer clear of ASD because its teachers are not equipped to teach to that set of issues.

CALL AND ASK THE School first. Don't blast them here.

I have nothing to do with the McLean School but think OP was grossly unfair. She should have read the particulars and if confused call and ask.

OP here: We were on the website. We had a consultant call on our behalf. Admissions said they do accept ASD kids, so long as they are engaged. That's why we went to the open house.

So you got the official info from admissions. You are putting way too muck stock in a brief remark from a person in a very temporary position. There is no need for all this drama.

The website is clear as to what they address. It says nothing about autism. That would be Ivymount. I don't believe your story about the consultant. Even if someone at admissions did say that - which I don't believe because we had a child at The McLean School and we knew it didn't handle autism - you should have figured this out by reading the website. DO you guide the entirety of your life by omissions? So a sign DOESN'T say you can't go 100 miles an hour means you can?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:15. Thanks for the feedback. If you don't mind my asking, is it Commonwealth?

DP. No. Commonwealth is 3-12, not K-8 and serves average to gifted kids with ADHD. It does not take autism. It avoids dyslexia but sometimes that is a comorbidity. It's very small and tries to stay true to its mission statement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disgusted. You'd think the co-head of school would have a bit more intelligence and class to not categorically dismiss a whole group of kids in a public statement.

I'm sure this won't make you feel better OP but this school is only good for a specific type of kid. They make kids who are not that bright seem bright by lowering the standards. It works for kids who feel stupid because they can't cut it in a mainstream environment by building up their self esteem but it doesn't really provide the support you'd think the do. It's a trick in some ways because they are not achieving more. They are just changing the goal posts but I do think this service is valuable to some kids.

You actually don't know she said it the way OP presents it. The McLean School is clear in its literature that it's not for autistic students. The schools are clear in their mission statements. Here's a list of the SN schools in the area. For autism you should look at St. Colletta, Ivymount, Phillips School and Kennedy Krieger. https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/11/01/special-needs-private-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-1/

OP here. DC is doing great in a school that is not designed for kids with ASD, so I have no idea why we would consider those schools. Not every kid with ASD needs to be in a school for kids with ASD. See the previous posts in this string.

That’s the hard part- a lot of ASD kids do better when integrated into classrooms that are majority or all neurotypical kids. As the number of kids with ASD increases, it will be harder to find space in these kinds of classrooms.

What you’re experiencing is those kinds of schools that do allow a small minority of ASD kids into their cohorts admitting that they are limiting the number of ASD kids to what they consider a manageable amount. It’s great for the kids that have ASD and join those schools early, but other families like yours are getting left on the outside looking in. Parents of “high functioning” (forgive the term) ASD kids are saying they want their kids in a neurotypical classroom, and parents of neurotypical kids are saying they want their kids in a neurotypical classroom. I’m not sure if we have a good solution for this in this generation.

Sure we have a good solution - the ADA prohibits segregating kids based on their disability alone.

I’m not an education lawyer but I’m pretty sure that Title II only applies to public schools and that Title III and “reasonable accommodations” leaves a ton of room for private schools to admit or deny whomever they want.

I’m an ed lawyer and Title II absolutely applies to private schools. And public schools. And any other place of business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to wit:"Our Abilities Model® starts with gifts and helps all students — conventional learners as well as those with challenges such as dyslexia, anxiety, and ADHD, or organizational challenges".

That is not on the spectrum.

NP. I have a DC with ASD (mild, sorry not sorry), who is on/above grade level, and some some executive functioning and organizational challenges. I would read the above and think it would be a good fit for my DC - until they say out loud that they do not take kids with ASD. Okay, then, no. We would walk out then too.

I disagree. I am reading "dyslexia, anxiety and ADHD, or organizational challenges". THAT does not say on the spectrum. Each SN school in the area has its own mission statement. You need to READ the statement and if confused, call. The McLean School has always in my mind been clear on autism. So you go look at Ivymont or the other area schools that specialize in that. For the same reason, Commonwealth Academy clearly states as its mission statement that it is for average to gifted kids with ADHD. It, too, will steer clear of ASD because its teachers are not equipped to teach to that set of issues.

CALL AND ASK THE School first. Don't blast them here.

I have nothing to do with the McLean School but think OP was grossly unfair. She should have read the particulars and if confused call and ask.

OP here: We were on the website. We had a consultant call on our behalf. Admissions said they do accept ASD kids, so long as they are engaged. That's why we went to the open house.

So you got the official info from admissions. You are putting way too muck stock in a brief remark from a person in a very temporary position. There is no need for all this drama.

Yep! Smelling a troll.

NP. No, she’s not a troll. I attended the open house today and heard OP’s comments in person (and I cringed because she was so emphatic about how mild her daughter’s autism is). The co-head said they don’t serve students with autism well. That is not the same thing as saying they don’t accept kids with autism. You are taking this way too personally and you fell down on the job when you apparently agreed with your daughter’s comment that the school doesn’t want her. No one said they don’t want her specifically, they were giving you a heads up that the school typically does not meet the needs of someone with autism. You could have followed up with them one-on-one to discuss whether the school would likely meet your daughter’s needs. Instead you got defensive and then came to rant on DCUM and make some unfair accusations about the school. I wasn’t all that impressed by the open house (so it’s not like I’m trying to prop up the school) but i think you’re being really unfair. You might also want to rethink that educational consultant, they should have a better handle on the area schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to wit:"Our Abilities Model® starts with gifts and helps all students — conventional learners as well as those with challenges such as dyslexia, anxiety, and ADHD, or organizational challenges".

That is not on the spectrum.

NP. I have a DC with ASD (mild, sorry not sorry), who is on/above grade level, and some some executive functioning and organizational challenges. I would read the above and think it would be a good fit for my DC - until they say out loud that they do not take kids with ASD. Okay, then, no. We would walk out then too.

I disagree. I am reading "dyslexia, anxiety and ADHD, or organizational challenges". THAT does not say on the spectrum. Each SN school in the area has its own mission statement. You need to READ the statement and if confused, call. The McLean School has always in my mind been clear on autism. So you go look at Ivymont or the other area schools that specialize in that. For the same reason, Commonwealth Academy clearly states as its mission statement that it is for average to gifted kids with ADHD. It, too, will steer clear of ASD because its teachers are not equipped to teach to that set of issues.

CALL AND ASK THE School first. Don't blast them here.

I have nothing to do with the McLean School but think OP was grossly unfair. She should have read the particulars and if confused call and ask.

OP here: We were on the website. We had a consultant call on our behalf. Admissions said they do accept ASD kids, so long as they are engaged. That's why we went to the open house.

So you got the official info from admissions. You are putting way too muck stock in a brief remark from a person in a very temporary position. There is no need for all this drama.

Yep! Smelling a troll.

NP. No, she’s not a troll. I attended the open house today and heard OP’s comments in person (and I cringed because she was so emphatic about how mild her daughter’s autism is). The co-head said they don’t serve students with autism well. That is not the same thing as saying they don’t accept kids with autism. You are taking this way too personally and you fell down on the job when you apparently agreed with your daughter’s comment that the school doesn’t want her. No one said they don’t want her specifically, they were giving you a heads up that the school typically does not meet the needs of someone with autism. You could have followed up with them one-on-one to discuss whether the school would likely meet your daughter’s needs. Instead you got defensive and then came to rant on DCUM and make some unfair accusations about the school. I wasn’t all that impressed by the open house (so it’s not like I’m trying to prop up the school) but i think you’re being really unfair. You might also want to rethink that educational consultant, they should have a better handle on the area schools.

So OP made all these comments in public and then stormed out?

Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to wit:"Our Abilities Model® starts with gifts and helps all students — conventional learners as well as those with challenges such as dyslexia, anxiety, and ADHD, or organizational challenges".

That is not on the spectrum.

NP. I have a DC with ASD (mild, sorry not sorry), who is on/above grade level, and some some executive functioning and organizational challenges. I would read the above and think it would be a good fit for my DC - until they say out loud that they do not take kids with ASD. Okay, then, no. We would walk out then too.

I disagree. I am reading "dyslexia, anxiety and ADHD, or organizational challenges". THAT does not say on the spectrum. Each SN school in the area has its own mission statement. You need to READ the statement and if confused, call. The McLean School has always in my mind been clear on autism. So you go look at Ivymont or the other area schools that specialize in that. For the same reason, Commonwealth Academy clearly states as its mission statement that it is for average to gifted kids with ADHD. It, too, will steer clear of ASD because its teachers are not equipped to teach to that set of issues.

CALL AND ASK THE School first. Don't blast them here.

I have nothing to do with the McLean School but think OP was grossly unfair. She should have read the particulars and if confused call and ask.

OP here: We were on the website. We had a consultant call on our behalf. Admissions said they do accept ASD kids, so long as they are engaged. That's why we went to the open house.

So you got the official info from admissions. You are putting way too muck stock in a brief remark from a person in a very temporary position. There is no need for all this drama.

Yep! Smelling a troll.

NP. No, she’s not a troll. I attended the open house today and heard OP’s comments in person (and I cringed because she was so emphatic about how mild her daughter’s autism is). The co-head said they don’t serve students with autism well. That is not the same thing as saying they don’t accept kids with autism. You are taking this way too personally and you fell down on the job when you apparently agreed with your daughter’s comment that the school doesn’t want her. No one said they don’t want her specifically, they were giving you a heads up that the school typically does not meet the needs of someone with autism. You could have followed up with them one-on-one to discuss whether the school would likely meet your daughter’s needs. Instead you got defensive and then came to rant on DCUM and make some unfair accusations about the school. I wasn’t all that impressed by the open house (so it’s not like I’m trying to prop up the school) but i think you’re being really unfair. You might also want to rethink that educational consultant, they should have a better handle on the area schools.

So OP made all these comments in public and then stormed out?

Interesting.

She spoke during the Q&A portion. I think she asked them to elaborate on their point about not serving kids with autism well, and she said more than once that it’s a spectrum and her daughter is mild. It was a civil discussion, she did not storm out, they remained seated for the remainder of the Q&A.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disgusted. You'd think the co-head of school would have a bit more intelligence and class to not categorically dismiss a whole group of kids in a public statement.

I'm sure this won't make you feel better OP but this school is only good for a specific type of kid. They make kids who are not that bright seem bright by lowering the standards. It works for kids who feel stupid because they can't cut it in a mainstream environment by building up their self esteem but it doesn't really provide the support you'd think the do. It's a trick in some ways because they are not achieving more. They are just changing the goal posts but I do think this service is valuable to some kids.

You actually don't know she said it the way OP presents it. The McLean School is clear in its literature that it's not for autistic students. The schools are clear in their mission statements. Here's a list of the SN schools in the area. For autism you should look at St. Colletta, Ivymount, Phillips School and Kennedy Krieger. https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/11/01/special-needs-private-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-1/

A school like Mclean cannot categorically reject students based on a disability. Hopefully they get sued.

They aren’t categorically rejecting students based on disability. They say they don’t serve students with asd well not that they don’t admit students with asd.

Someone posted info from their website: we are most successful with bright students whose primary challenge is not behavioral, SOCIAL, or emotional." By definition every one who has been diagnosed with asd has or had deficits in SOCIAL communication and interaction. That’s part of the criteria: “Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history”.

So if it just by history and not current social deficits that the school is not able to accommodate then OP should have applied.

It’s interesting because when it is convenient to discriminate to get a benefit then I guess it is ok. If your kid has adhd insurance is NOT mandated to provide any behavioral therapy. But if they have autism then insurance has to pay. Often times the behavioral issues are exactly the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the OP said McLean doesn’t serve ASD kids well, not that they don’t serve ASD kids at all. McLean also explained what population they do serve well.

OP also said the school evaluates on an individual basis, but rather than go through that process they walked out. How do we know if the school would or wouldn’t serve a child with the profile in question if they don’t apply?

If your kid doesn’t fit the school profile fine, but attacking a school for being honest about the populations they can serve well or not serve well sounds ridiculous. Given the context of this being an informational meeting, it seems some people are getting upset about semantics. At least apply first then complain.

This, the supports needed can be very different. OP child was not denied entry because of ASD, and OP hasn't applied to see if it would be a good fit. I'd rather know up front that they didn't have the supports for a child with my child's diagnosis. We looked at schools and were told it wasn't a good fit. No big deal. Other schools welcomed us with open arms.

[Anonymous]

Op we had this experience in nyc when I wa exploring schools for ds whose main challenges are behavioral/ social/ emotional. All the adhd sn schools are for kids who can’t pay attn. it’s funny bc to your point most adhd kids have social emotional deficits and I read somewhere that up to 80% have clinically significant autistic traits (which an evaluator would probably always say means they are autistic until we change the dsm to think in less black and white terms).
So basically these schools are not helpful nor even accurate in their understanding of how most kids are being dx now.