Anonymous wrote:Dd has a 504. She does not qualify for gt/ld -- academically, she is not struggling yet (the standard for gt/ld). You need an iep to qualify for gt/ld. We are working with experts outside of school to address her many struggles.

We have visited Mclean and Siena. Long term, it may be where she ends up.

Thanks again.

Our DC is GT/LD and has an IEP. What does "not struggling yet" mean to you? Our DC has never received less than a P or S on his report card. In that sense, he is not "struggling" yet. But, he still has an IEP (mostly due to poor writing, but also due to ADD Inattentive diagnosis). To get an IEP you need to explain how the diagnosis "adversely impacts" the education and requires "special instruction". A kid who needs extensive help with organizational issues, time management and work management definitely can need "special instruction" in these areas.

On the social anxiety -- it's been our experience that the "social anxiety" our older (non-LD) child has had is due primarily to how gifted she is. She recognizes that she is very different from other kids -- different interests, much more mature grasp of language and self-motivation. This contributes a lot to her social anxiety. At the HGC, she was finally with kids like her, and she found true friendships. We felt at the HGC that the kids were much more accepting of each other's differences than in the "traditional" part of the school.

Original poster here -- for those with my dd's profile who thrived at the centers -- what supports did you find were most worthwhile?

We have a great psychologist, have seen great progress in social skills therapy, and have been aggressively teaching executive functioning since the fall -- weekly calendars, daily to do lists, etc.

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent here: schools that deal with these issues in a straight forward way do not inhibit a student's enrichment opportunities! In fact, addressing the issues that can harm a child's learning (ADHD, anxiety, social disorders, etc.) can profoundly help a child to reach their potential.

I am troubled by the suggestion in some posts that one should gravitate AWAY from the very programs that are designed to help.

NO ONE is suggesting this.

We are merely suggesting that the centers can and do handle GT/LD kids well, and have the benefit of being geared exclusively to kids who require a high level of challenge.

McLean parent here: schools that deal with these issues in a straight forward way do not inhibit a student's enrichment opportunities! In fact, addressing the issues that can harm a child's learning (ADHD, anxiety, social disorders, etc.) can profoundly help a child to reach their potential.

I am troubled by the suggestion in some posts that one should gravitate AWAY from the very programs that are designed to help.

My DC has the same problems as yours- plus a couple more. She went to a center and is now in a middle school magnet. Her experiences have been great. The fact that she needs accommodations doesn't mean she requires a less challenging curriculum. There's not much harm in trying it out.

Dd has a 504. She does not qualify for gt/ld -- academically, she is not struggling yet (the standard for gt/ld). You need an iep to qualify for gt/ld. We are working with experts outside of school to address her many struggles.

We have visited Mclean and Siena. Long term, it may be where she ends up.

Thanks again.

As a parent of GT/LD HS student: before you make a decision - check if HGC can provide appropriate accomodation to your child. Sometimes regular schools don't have enough resourses, and GT/LD school might provide your DD better balance of support & academic balance