Why don’t a lot of SN schools take autistic kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

To say one’s behavioral needs have been well established by middle or high school simply is not true. Any number of things can change those needs, for any child, at any time and puberty is a key culprit for factors that might change those needs. Schools need more resources to accommodate children with ASD regardless of behavioral needs. They need extra trained staff and resources on top of increased resources in case behavioral needs change (they often do) and children require additional support. Most schools simply are not staffed or trained to handle the demands of these children. The same can be said for children with other SN that nobody ever talks about, but that’s beside the point.

My question is if you have the money for a top level private then why you don’t hire a 1:1 full time and homeschool or find a school that can properly accommodate your child? That’s typically the best place to put your energy instead of publicly bashing some school you didn’t get into.

Because what parent, especially an ASD student who needs social interaction, wants that.

I thought we were discussing educational needs, not social ones. If you want social interaction join a club or group or something.

Oh sure, just toss them in a club—because nothing builds complex social skills like two hours a week of crafts and snacks. School is not just about academics; it is where kids, especially autistic kids, learn how to function in a world full of other people. That means daily exposure to peers, support from trained professionals, and structured opportunities to practice social interaction. Homeschooling might work for some, but it rarely offers that kind of social immersion—and no, the local Lego club does not coun

You cannot be this dumb. Or you are on the wrong board.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. One of its hallmark features is difficulty with social communication and interaction. This can include challenges with understanding social cues, forming and maintaining relationships, engaging in back-and-forth conversation, and interpreting nonverbal signals such as facial expressions or tone of voice. The degree and nature of these social deficits vary widely across individuals.

They aren’t getting any of that in public school. Just so you’re aware.

You might get it in ASD focused private.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

You are suggesting an investigation into a private school for refusing to accept ASD? That is ridiculous. It’s private they can pick and choose - that’s how those schools work. And until they have unfilled seats they aren’t accepting ASD no matter how mad it makes people

Yep, 100%. It is textbook disability discrimination to have a blanket refusal to accept a certain diagnosis without looking at the kid individually. Particularly with a diagnosis like ASD which is so heterogeneous.

I'm curious. Those parents who are using their kids high IQ's as reasons to accept them. Would you consider it discrimination if a school refused to accept kids with an ID diagnosis?

I’m not saying that LAB needs to accept any particular child. I am saying that they cannot have a blanket refusal to consider any child with autism.. So yes, it could be appropriate for LAB to say that it cannot serve a child with a severe ID. But autism is not the same as ID.

“Schools can have reasonable criteria related to their actual operations and structure.”

Unless it’s Autism? You aren’t making sense.

Correct. “No autism” is not a reasonable criteria.

Why not?

Because autism is extremely variable and you cannot assess an individual student based solely on that label.

IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL. They can do what they want. It’s the same as being denied from other private schools.

The whole premise of the school is to pick and choose who they want. Lab isn’t even some amazing school that will solve all of your problems anyway. It’s small and they counsel kids out.

They cannot actually do whatever they want. The ADA applies to private schools.

Not in this case. They don't have to admit if the disability is the type they can't accommodate due to staffing levels or expertise. They know it and that's why they don't admit. Otherwise you would be in a lawyer's office not fuming on an anonymous internet board.

[Anonymous]

Where are the publicly funded nonpublics in this discussion? Hardly anyone talks about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

You are suggesting an investigation into a private school for refusing to accept ASD? That is ridiculous. It’s private they can pick and choose - that’s how those schools work. And until they have unfilled seats they aren’t accepting ASD no matter how mad it makes people

Yep, 100%. It is textbook disability discrimination to have a blanket refusal to accept a certain diagnosis without looking at the kid individually. Particularly with a diagnosis like ASD which is so heterogeneous.

I'm curious. Those parents who are using their kids high IQ's as reasons to accept them. Would you consider it discrimination if a school refused to accept kids with an ID diagnosis?

I’m not saying that LAB needs to accept any particular child. I am saying that they cannot have a blanket refusal to consider any child with autism.. So yes, it could be appropriate for LAB to say that it cannot serve a child with a severe ID. But autism is not the same as ID.

“Schools can have reasonable criteria related to their actual operations and structure.”

Unless it’s Autism? You aren’t making sense.

Correct. “No autism” is not a reasonable criteria.

Why not?

Because autism is extremely variable and you cannot assess an individual student based solely on that label.

IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL. They can do what they want. It’s the same as being denied from other private schools.

The whole premise of the school is to pick and choose who they want. Lab isn’t even some amazing school that will solve all of your problems anyway. It’s small and they counsel kids out.

They cannot actually do whatever they want. The ADA applies to private schools.

Not in this case. They don't have to admit if the disability is the type they can't accommodate due to staffing levels or expertise. They know it and that's why they don't admit. Otherwise you would be in a lawyer's office not fuming on an anonymous internet board.

They cannot just declare they cannot accomodate any of a certain type of disability without actually considering the individual case. I would absolutely sue if we got rejected from Lab and they expressly told us that they never take any kids on the spectrum as a rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

You are suggesting an investigation into a private school for refusing to accept ASD? That is ridiculous. It’s private they can pick and choose - that’s how those schools work. And until they have unfilled seats they aren’t accepting ASD no matter how mad it makes people

Yep, 100%. It is textbook disability discrimination to have a blanket refusal to accept a certain diagnosis without looking at the kid individually. Particularly with a diagnosis like ASD which is so heterogeneous.

I'm curious. Those parents who are using their kids high IQ's as reasons to accept them. Would you consider it discrimination if a school refused to accept kids with an ID diagnosis?

I’m not saying that LAB needs to accept any particular child. I am saying that they cannot have a blanket refusal to consider any child with autism.. So yes, it could be appropriate for LAB to say that it cannot serve a child with a severe ID. But autism is not the same as ID.

“Schools can have reasonable criteria related to their actual operations and structure.”

Unless it’s Autism? You aren’t making sense.

Correct. “No autism” is not a reasonable criteria.

Why not?

Because autism is extremely variable and you cannot assess an individual student based solely on that label.

IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL. They can do what they want. It’s the same as being denied from other private schools.

The whole premise of the school is to pick and choose who they want. Lab isn’t even some amazing school that will solve all of your problems anyway. It’s small and they counsel kids out.

They cannot actually do whatever they want. The ADA applies to private schools.

Sort of. As PP says: they cannot say “no autism” because that is a form of disability-based discrimination.

They have to provide the equivalent of reasonable accommodations in a job—extended testing time, for instance—but they do not have to provide speech, PT, OT. No IEP or 504 plan equivalents are required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

You are suggesting an investigation into a private school for refusing to accept ASD? That is ridiculous. It’s private they can pick and choose - that’s how those schools work. And until they have unfilled seats they aren’t accepting ASD no matter how mad it makes people

Yep, 100%. It is textbook disability discrimination to have a blanket refusal to accept a certain diagnosis without looking at the kid individually. Particularly with a diagnosis like ASD which is so heterogeneous.

I'm curious. Those parents who are using their kids high IQ's as reasons to accept them. Would you consider it discrimination if a school refused to accept kids with an ID diagnosis?

I’m not saying that LAB needs to accept any particular child. I am saying that they cannot have a blanket refusal to consider any child with autism.. So yes, it could be appropriate for LAB to say that it cannot serve a child with a severe ID. But autism is not the same as ID.

“Schools can have reasonable criteria related to their actual operations and structure.”

Unless it’s Autism? You aren’t making sense.

Correct. “No autism” is not a reasonable criteria.

Why not?

Because autism is extremely variable and you cannot assess an individual student based solely on that label.

IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL. They can do what they want. It’s the same as being denied from other private schools.

The whole premise of the school is to pick and choose who they want. Lab isn’t even some amazing school that will solve all of your problems anyway. It’s small and they counsel kids out.

They cannot actually do whatever they want. The ADA applies to private schools.

Not in this case. They don't have to admit if the disability is the type they can't accommodate due to staffing levels or expertise. They know it and that's why they don't admit. Otherwise you would be in a lawyer's office not fuming on an anonymous internet board.

They cannot just declare they cannot accomodate any of a certain type of disability without actually considering the individual case. I would absolutely sue if we got rejected from Lab and they expressly told us that they never take any kids on the spectrum as a rule.

Nobody cares what you would do. We’re having an adult discussion.

[Anonymous]

I agree with a lot of things here-e.g. they don't want to take the chance, they may not have the resources, that is not their target client, they won't give a kid with mild issues a chance, they fill spots easily and can choose exactly what is easiest for them/what they can handle.

That said, having been on both sides, the parents of kids with mild HFA will absolutely complain about kids with autism with more needs taking up too much of the teacher's time. Also, some will refuse to consider a school that is set up to accommodate a child's needs. There definitely is an aspect of everyone wanting their kid in the club that won't accept them and too many people who make it want to club to be even more exclusive not less.

[Anonymous]

Many parents think they’re too good for SN privates, until they get older and then they go to apply and seats are very limited. Then they get mad and blame everyone but themselves when it’s their fault for not doing more when the kid was younger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are the publicly funded nonpublics in this discussion? Hardly anyone talks about them.

Yeah we’re always kept out the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think not knowing the kid there’s too much variability in the diagnosis to know how it really plays out socially or in the classroom. And they don’t have the resources so they just say they don’t take ASD students. I feel for these parents though because a lot more schools are willing to deal with/ adhd, anxiety etc.

By middle and high school this isn’t true anymore - the kids behavioral needs are pretty well established. LAB especially has zero justification for refusing to admit kids with autism and should be subject to some kind of investigation about it.

And of course the flip side is that many kids on the spectrum have high IQs and no language impairment, so many of the so-called SN schools would be academically inappropriate. People don’t want to say this too loudly, but private pay SN schools are often for rich families who are disappointed that their children are not achieving academically. So no, they do not want high IQs but socially awkward kids on the spectrum taking away from the environment they are trying to create.

You are suggesting an investigation into a private school for refusing to accept ASD? That is ridiculous. It’s private they can pick and choose - that’s how those schools work. And until they have unfilled seats they aren’t accepting ASD no matter how mad it makes people

Yep, 100%. It is textbook disability discrimination to have a blanket refusal to accept a certain diagnosis without looking at the kid individually. Particularly with a diagnosis like ASD which is so heterogeneous.

I'm curious. Those parents who are using their kids high IQ's as reasons to accept them. Would you consider it discrimination if a school refused to accept kids with an ID diagnosis?

I’m not saying that LAB needs to accept any particular child. I am saying that they cannot have a blanket refusal to consider any child with autism.. So yes, it could be appropriate for LAB to say that it cannot serve a child with a severe ID. But autism is not the same as ID.

“Schools can have reasonable criteria related to their actual operations and structure.”

Unless it’s Autism? You aren’t making sense.

Correct. “No autism” is not a reasonable criteria.

Why not?

Because autism is extremely variable and you cannot assess an individual student based solely on that label.

IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL. They can do what they want. It’s the same as being denied from other private schools.

The whole premise of the school is to pick and choose who they want. Lab isn’t even some amazing school that will solve all of your problems anyway. It’s small and they counsel kids out.

They cannot actually do whatever they want. The ADA applies to private schools.

Sort of. As PP says: they cannot say “no autism” because that is a form of disability-based discrimination.

They have to provide the equivalent of reasonable accommodations in a job—extended testing time, for instance—but they do not have to provide speech, PT, OT. No IEP or 504 plan equivalents are required.

True. But they cannot offer those sorts of accomodations to some kids but refuse to offer them to kids with autism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a lot of things here-e.g. they don't want to take the chance, they may not have the resources, that is not their target client, they won't give a kid with mild issues a chance, they fill spots easily and can choose exactly what is easiest for them/what they can handle.

That said, having been on both sides, the parents of kids with mild HFA will absolutely complain about kids with autism with more needs taking up too much of the teacher's time. Also, some will refuse to consider a school that is set up to accommodate a child's needs. There definitely is an aspect of everyone wanting their kid in the club that won't accept them and too many people who make it want to club to be even more exclusive not less.

I’m sure that’s true but the issue a lot of parents face with HFA is finding a school that provides the appropriate academics. Most of the SN schools for autism (mostly public placements) do not. The private pay SN schools (and most mainstream privates) seem to have more potential to do so but then they blacklist kids on the spectrum. Our kids can mostly get by in public with IEPs but we’d sometimes like more than just getting by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are the publicly funded nonpublics in this discussion? Hardly anyone talks about them.

I literally mentioned a specific one up thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a lot of things here-e.g. they don't want to take the chance, they may not have the resources, that is not their target client, they won't give a kid with mild issues a chance, they fill spots easily and can choose exactly what is easiest for them/what they can handle.

That said, having been on both sides, the parents of kids with mild HFA will absolutely complain about kids with autism with more needs taking up too much of the teacher's time. Also, some will refuse to consider a school that is set up to accommodate a child's needs. There definitely is an aspect of everyone wanting their kid in the club that won't accept them and too many people who make it want to club to be even more exclusive not less.

I’m sure that’s true but the issue a lot of parents face with HFA is finding a school that provides the appropriate academics. Most of the SN schools for autism (mostly public placements) do not. The private pay SN schools (and most mainstream privates) seem to have more potential to do so but then they blacklist kids on the spectrum. Our kids can mostly get by in public with IEPs but we’d sometimes like more than just getting by.

Are they blacklisting or is it not a good fit? I thought Lab focused on dyslexia/learning disorders, so is focused on remediation. My son does not have ASD, but his friends who are on the spectrum are generally strong academically, at least in certain subjects. Their challenges have been finding schools that are flexible and able to provide advanced instruction so they are not bored. I’m not sure that would be a match for students with dyslexia or dysgraphia where they are helping students a year or two behind. Are you saying these schools will not accept ASD students who are also dyslexic/dysgraphic/have other learning disorders? Our neighbor who attended Lab gave us the impression it was primarily about supporting and remediating academics, but doesn’t really do social or life skills; their son went on to a traditional private for high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are the publicly funded nonpublics in this discussion? Hardly anyone talks about them.

Yeah we’re always kept out the discussion.

Feel free to share. When I looked into it there weren’t any publicly funded ones that seemed appropriate for my kid - he also was doing well enough in mainstream public that he wouldn’t have gotten a private placement most years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a lot of things here-e.g. they don't want to take the chance, they may not have the resources, that is not their target client, they won't give a kid with mild issues a chance, they fill spots easily and can choose exactly what is easiest for them/what they can handle.

That said, having been on both sides, the parents of kids with mild HFA will absolutely complain about kids with autism with more needs taking up too much of the teacher's time. Also, some will refuse to consider a school that is set up to accommodate a child's needs. There definitely is an aspect of everyone wanting their kid in the club that won't accept them and too many people who make it want to club to be even more exclusive not less.

I’m sure that’s true but the issue a lot of parents face with HFA is finding a school that provides the appropriate academics. Most of the SN schools for autism (mostly public placements) do not. The private pay SN schools (and most mainstream privates) seem to have more potential to do so but then they blacklist kids on the spectrum. Our kids can mostly get by in public with IEPs but we’d sometimes like more than just getting by.

Are they blacklisting or is it not a good fit? I thought Lab focused on dyslexia/learning disorders, so is focused on remediation. My son does not have ASD, but his friends who are on the spectrum are generally strong academically, at least in certain subjects. Their challenges have been finding schools that are flexible and able to provide advanced instruction so they are not bored. I’m not sure that would be a match for students with dyslexia or dysgraphia where they are helping students a year or two behind. Are you saying these schools will not accept ASD students who are also dyslexic/dysgraphic/have other learning disorders? Our neighbor who attended Lab gave us the impression it was primarily about supporting and remediating academics, but doesn’t really do social or life skills; their son went on to a traditional private for high school.

The ADA issue is that they cannot just declare that anyone with autism is a “bad fit” - that is discrimination based on the disability. And yes, there are many, many anecdotes about kids on the spectrum who need additional language based help being told “LAB does not take kids with autism”. LAB is currently now touting itself as a school for kids with ADHD, so it is very hard to see how they could see themselves as able to teach kids with ADHD but categorically unable to teach kids with autism. They are definitely different conditions but they intersect in the need for executive function support as the main issue with academics.