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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] I would like to add something about the very small schools suggested to you. I have experience with three of them and my kids are middle school ages, so I think it is pretty valid. (I am just noting that fact because sometimes you get anecdotes from parents with younger children at these schools...YMMV.)

To me, when you say social problems, that crosses the small schools (Field, Burke, Sheridan, Lowell) off the list. I say this because the social environment at these schools is very small. At middle school there may only be a dozen children of the same sex at the school. Using that tiny population to address social skills is problematic. First, many of the kids have been together years,so it can be hard to integrate anyhow. Second, there may only be one or two kids that your child enjoys due to the sheer lack of variety/type of kid that is there. We have found this to be the case with NT kids and SN kids alike. It is just a fishbowl.

I would personally look at schools that have bigger classes if I wanted to fix social issues. [/quote]

Sheridan parent  above, also Burke parent here. They are trying to increase the size of the middle school at Burke, but right now the classes are very small.  I think Burke is great, but, middle schoolers don't interact in classroom settings with a lot of different types of kids.  There is a lot of support for lots of kids at Burke, but I can't imagine they'd be wiling to take on an ASD kid.  The school isn't big enough to have the resources for everything.  My DC has mild ADHD and we included the neuropsych report with the application.  It was a risk to include that, but we couldn't risk DC going to a school that didn't have some supports for his needs.  His needs are met by being able to use his laptop to type everything instead of handwriting and by getting extra time on tests.  Those needs were easily met.

Have you told your consultant everything about the diagnosis?  I can't imagine a consultant saying to apply to Field, Burke, Sheridan, or Lowell with a diagnosis of ASD. They aren't big enough to offer support with social issues.  I also have trouble with the idea of a consultant recommending against McLean in your case.  I'd get clarification on the exact nature of the diagnosis and exactly what supports need to be in place to support your child.  Once you know what the needs are, look for schools that can meet those needs.  
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