What do you mean by minimally verbal? It could help to have a sense.

Our ASD DC who is about to transition to K pretty verbal (though I wouldn’t say DC’s at the level where you’d consider them to be more of the little professor precocious type). DC is conversational with peers and teachers, but it is definitely a bit atypical.

I did a lot of looking in NoVa where we are—most mainstream privates (maybe all?) wouldn’t accept them even though DC doesn’t have challenging behaviors. Some may consider it with an aide, but I was so worried my DC wouldn’t be embraced and would always be at risk of being counseled out. We ruled out Diener and Maddux for being too expensive and too far.

It was pretty slim from there. Even specialty schools for language disabilities like Oakwood say they won’t accept ASD. I looked at Potomac Crescent but they wouldn’t allow outside support and the 2 days of outdoor classroom wouldn’t work well for my child. It seemed to me your kid would have to be pretty verbal to attend.

That left us Newton in Sterling and Linder Academy in Alexandria. Linder had very much a start up vibe and isn’t accredited. Facility was beautiful, and they let you bring your own therapists in which is a pro for many of the families we spoke with who felt like there just aren’t a lot of options for ASD kids who have the ability to access gen ed curriculum but who public school wouldn’t be a good fit. Kids seemed happy, class size is small, but the lower grades were almost 100% boys.

We ended up going with Newton, Newton had us do a visit just me and spouse to get a sense of school and whether it would be right for our child. Then after applying they had us do a 2 day visit to make sure DC was the right fit. We were so impressed with the school and the HOS. I would agree with the PP who said minimally verbal may not be the right fit—but encourage you to reach out to them to see as they have been very transparent with us every step of the way.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you to everyone who has shared so far. We're just south of DC, but work north and east of the city and willing to move if needed. Public served us well for preschool, but kindergarten seems to be a different story. Have been investigating private kindergartens, but some are not willing to accept a little one with autism. I love hearing where everyone is going.

I would encourage you to look for a school that will be happy to have your child and do a great job educating them at all ages the school teaches, not just while they are a "little one". I know that's easier said than done, and I don't mean for this to sound harsh. But leaning on the "my child is so young and sweet and it's mean to exclude them" feeling isn't going to get you what you actually need-- a school that doesn't just tolerate your child, but embraces and cherishes your child all the way through.

Anonymous wrote:Potomac Crescent in Alexandria.
It was not a good fit for DC. It got better with time but we didn’t return the following year.
There was another child on the spectrum in my DC’s class who had a better experience and stayed.
The teachers were amazing but sadly it didn’t work for our family.
After kindergarten we went public with an IEP. The larger class size helped DC find friends who share their interests.
It is not perfect but DC is happy.

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you to everyone who has shared so far. We're just south of DC, but work north and east of the city and willing to move if needed. Public served us well for preschool, but kindergarten seems to be a different story. Have been investigating private kindergartens, but some are not willing to accept a little one with autism. I love hearing where everyone is going.

Privates might accept a minimally verbal child if absent from disruptive behaviors. But they will probably request a 1:1 support that you will be responsible to pay for.

Thank you. We're doing ABA at home right now and are planning to having the person go with my child school if we do private. DC follows directions, is easy going, and hasn't exhibited disruptive behaviors. One school never met my child or me, but said over the phone that they could not accommodate a child with autism and that an aide is too distracting. I thought most places would want a child to have an aide, but not this place. Trying to stay hopeful.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you to everyone who has shared so far. We're just south of DC, but work north and east of the city and willing to move if needed. Public served us well for preschool, but kindergarten seems to be a different story. Have been investigating private kindergartens, but some are not willing to accept a little one with autism. I love hearing where everyone is going.

Privates might accept a minimally verbal child if absent from disruptive behaviors. But they will probably request a 1:1 support that you will be responsible to pay for.

Potomac Crescent in Alexandria.
It was not a good fit for DC. It got better with time but we didn’t return the following year.
There was another child on the spectrum in my DC’s class who had a better experience and stayed.
The teachers were amazing but sadly it didn’t work for our family.
After kindergarten we went public with an IEP. The larger class size helped DC find friends who share their interests.
It is not perfect but DC is happy.

OP here. Thank you to everyone who has shared so far. We're just south of DC, but work north and east of the city and willing to move if needed. Public served us well for preschool, but kindergarten seems to be a different story. Have been investigating private kindergartens, but some are not willing to accept a little one with autism. I love hearing where everyone is going.

Anonymous wrote:Newton and had a fantastic experience. It’s may be too far depending on where you live but it was reasonable for us with their bus (Arlington).

Around four years ago I toured around the Newton School. I was positively impressed by what I saw.
My observation was that most of the students there were bright, the hyper-wiggly type, very social and highly verbal.
A minimally verbal child might not fit well into the Newton School.
Nonetheless, I’d contact the HOS, OP. They are very honest and professional.
If they can’t support your child’s needs they will provide recommendations to schools that might be a better fit.
Good luck!

Newton and had a fantastic experience. It’s may be too far depending on where you live but it was reasonable for us with their bus (Arlington).

Where are you located? There is a new, tiny school in Alexandria that is perfect for this. Poissant Place

A minimally verbal child typically will not do well in public. Homeschool/Verbal Behavior EIBI Program would be my suggestion but it’s work. You have to get those language skills increased now as it will only get harder with time. If that’s not feasible a verbal behavior based private school or classroom or clinic. Or even repeat PK if you can’t find that in a K setting.

Where are you geographically, OP?

Center for Young Children at the University of Maryland. They were amazing!

We tried public and it was a disaster. We transferred after two months to a neurotypical K-8. Our DC is happy. The small classes and calm atmosphere are just what she needed. Most friends are neurotypical. DC is absolutely thriving.

Having a hard time figuring out the best fit for kindergarten for minimally verbal ASD child. Would love to know where you sent or are sending your child for kindergarten?