Anonymous
Post 05/24/2023 14:05     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


How did Nora handle the work refusal?


Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.


Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?


Proactive. It's really built into their program, available to everyone. And when the already small chunks were still overwhelming, they worked with us to problem solve and have more frequent check ins.


That sounds amazing. I'm over here crying that they don't have a middle school. Hoping we can find an interim solution to get through one more year but we will almost certainly be applying after that.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2023 06:26     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


How did Nora handle the work refusal?


Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.


Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?


Proactive. It's really built into their program, available to everyone. And when the already small chunks were still overwhelming, they worked with us to problem solve and have more frequent check ins.


This sounds wonderful, thank you.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 19:08     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


How did Nora handle the work refusal?


Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.


Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?


Proactive. It's really built into their program, available to everyone. And when the already small chunks were still overwhelming, they worked with us to problem solve and have more frequent check ins.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 17:11     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


How did Nora handle the work refusal?


Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.


Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 16:56     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


How did Nora handle the work refusal?


Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 16:52     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


How did Nora handle the work refusal?
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 16:22     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Would kid be willing to go to the private school?
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 10:59     Subject: Re:School refusal - private school options in MC?
OP here, thank you!
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 06:56     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:We have almost the identical situation but are in VA. Please post if you have any suggestions there too.

We looked into Fusion and while it sounds interesting, it’s so expensive after we had the initial meeting. We can’t afford it full time right now.


I totally get this - Fusion parent here - the tuition is so much... why not consider signing your kid up for two summer school classes at Fusion Tysons? It might be the bridge your kid needs to dip a toe back into school and have a different experience. There are many kids who come just for summer or part time, but it is a generally welcoming, nurturing, low key environment.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2023 21:43     Subject: Re:School refusal - private school options in MC?
I would also check Oneness Montessori. Very small classes even in high school.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2023 14:15     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
We have almost the identical situation but are in VA. Please post if you have any suggestions there too.

We looked into Fusion and while it sounds interesting, it’s so expensive after we had the initial meeting. We can’t afford it full time right now.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2023 13:32     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:Butler Montessori is starting a high school program. It's a beautiful, serene campus with woods and creeks and strong academics but very low pressure. Kids will be given a lot of freedom to explore their interests including internships/career exploration. I don't know the extent of your child's issues but perhaps a change to a radically different school environment might help. Butler is not a school for special needs per se but could be a great fit for kids who don't like large pressure cooker environments.


Oh wow, this is good to know. My kids did summer camp at Butler many many years ago, it’s a fabulous place. Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2023 13:31     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.


Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2023 13:31     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Anonymous wrote:I have one with generalized anxiety + ADHD that led to school refusal. Fusion Rockville has been wonderful.


Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2023 09:48     Subject: School refusal - private school options in MC?
Butler Montessori is starting a high school program. It's a beautiful, serene campus with woods and creeks and strong academics but very low pressure. Kids will be given a lot of freedom to explore their interests including internships/career exploration. I don't know the extent of your child's issues but perhaps a change to a radically different school environment might help. Butler is not a school for special needs per se but could be a great fit for kids who don't like large pressure cooker environments.