Child with ADHD and Anxiety - Which School System in the D.C. metro are do you think is best

[Anonymous]

Which school systems in the D.C. metro area do you think is most user-friendly for families with these issues.

[Anonymous]

None, private school.

[Anonymous]

There is no entire school system that is friendly. For a child with special needs, an individual classroom or teacher or school year is going to be a good or bad experience. You really need to drill down to the micro level.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are trying to get at OP, but I think this is impossible to answer.

Every system in the region probably has students with this diagnosis who are thriving, and some who are not. Students' experiences can shift dramatically from year to year as they change teachers.

I think the best approach is to find a school system that is a good fit academically and is convenient to the health care providers and therapists your child sees regularly.

[Anonymous]

We haven't had success in DCPS. They don't seem to "believe" in anxiety.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, it has more to do with the principal than the school system. Find a school with a supportive principal, and you'll get more help with less hassle.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

Unfortunately, we can't afford $28-38K per year for private school so private school is not an option.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

Unfortunately, we can't afford $28-38K per year for private school so private school is not an option.

privates do give out financial aid. I used to think the same thing OP, but it eventually got to the point where we had to find a way to pay for it. We were spending thousands on tutoring and therapy when we were in public. When I did the math I quickly realized that private was not that much more of a reach from what we were spending out outside supports.

Again - It just all depends on the severity of the issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

DS has severe ADHD and Anxiety. We are currently in private. We have been asked to leave. We are going to MCPS with an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

DS has severe ADHD and Anxiety. We are currently in private. We have been asked to leave. We are going to MCPS with an IEP.

I'm sorry to hear that. This must be very stressful for you and DS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

Unfortunately, we can't afford $28-38K per year for private school so private school is not an option.

privates do give out financial aid. I used to think the same thing OP, but it eventually got to the point where we had to find a way to pay for it. We were spending thousands on tutoring and therapy when we were in public. When I did the math I quickly realized that private was not that much more of a reach from what we were spending out outside supports.

Again - It just all depends on the severity of the issues.

This is a good point. We're also spending quite a bit for tutoring, etc. Is private better primarily because of the smaller classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

Unfortunately, we can't afford $28-38K per year for private school so private school is not an option.

privates do give out financial aid. I used to think the same thing OP, but it eventually got to the point where we had to find a way to pay for it. We were spending thousands on tutoring and therapy when we were in public. When I did the math I quickly realized that private was not that much more of a reach from what we were spending out outside supports.

Again - It just all depends on the severity of the issues.

This is a good point. We're also spending quite a bit for tutoring, etc. Is private better primarily because of the smaller classes?

Smaller classes and individualized attention definitely help. There are also private SN schools. Have you looked at Auburn? They specialize in ASD and severe ADHD kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the severity of the issues OP. If mild, then I would say MCPS or FCPS. Otherwise, private. don't waste your time with public.

Unfortunately, we can't afford $28-38K per year for private school so private school is not an option.

privates do give out financial aid. I used to think the same thing OP, but it eventually got to the point where we had to find a way to pay for it. We were spending thousands on tutoring and therapy when we were in public. When I did the math I quickly realized that private was not that much more of a reach from what we were spending out outside supports.

Again - It just all depends on the severity of the issues.

This is a good point. We're also spending quite a bit for tutoring, etc. Is private better primarily because of the smaller classes?

Smaller classes and individualized attention definitely help. There are also private SN schools. Have you looked at Auburn? They specialize in ASD and severe ADHD kids.

certain privates (Lab, Siena, Auburn, Commonwealth etc) actually use different teaching modalities specifically targeted to the learning styles of the students. So private in and of itself won't always be enough. You need to make sure they are experienced in teaching your child based on their issues.