Anonymous wrote:The reason I asked is b/c deadlines for applying to private schools come up in January & Feb, so if you want to apply for next year, you'll have to go on school visits/submit applications. But it sounds like you have at least another year b/f kindergarten. (Also, nothing wrong in delaying kindergarten if speech is still a significant issue down the road.) Since your child's 4, I'm assuming you have an IEP through the DC equivalent of Childfind. In not, ask your pediatrician for a referral. If you like your home school, it might work out just fine in sending him/her there.
For now, there are a couple of options that might be helpful:
St. Columba in DC has an inclusive preschool:
http://www.stcolumbadc.org/stcolumbadc/Home.html
LEAP at the University of MD in College Park (PG county) is an excellent preschool dedicated to speech delays, but they do not take ASD kids:
http://www.bsos.umd.edu/hesp/clinicservices/leap.htm
LEAP may also have summer camp for speech as does National Speech Language Center:
http://www.nationalspeech.com/camp. The latter will be very pricey.
For later, here's a list of private schools for special needs in the area. It's rather dated, so it doesn't have the Newton School in Virginia. It's also missing Sienna School which starts in 4th and works with kids w/language based learning disabilities:
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/businesscareers/5515.html
You could also look at more "mainstream" privates as well b/c a lot could change over the next year. If you have concerns down the line, you could also hire an educational consultant to help you make the best match. For an overall idea of prices of private schools, pick up a copy of "Parents," the free magazine. They usually will have a listing of most of the area's private schools.
Thank you so much for this list!