Anonymous
Post 11/06/2025 09:06     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Sadly there aren’t many options for that profile.
I can only think of Auburn or ivymount.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 15:09     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:Any schools other than Diener and Maddox?



Auburn School in Silver Spring
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 14:32     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:Any schools other than Diener and Maddox?


Ivymount
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 13:00     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Where are you located? I'd check out Harbour School also - they have two locations, Annapolis and Owings Mills.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2025 12:36     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Any schools other than Diener and Maddox?
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2025 10:41     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PDA doesn't typically present with outward behaviors. It's all internalized through masking and hence the school refusal and letdown after school.


Actually, PDA does typically present with significant externalizing behaviors. Maybe some kids can hold it together at school, but PDA typically describes students who react strongly to demands.


As the parent of two PDA'ers, it really depends on the kid - some are more internalized, some are more externalized. My older PDA (more internalized) appeared fine at school but would explode at home. We managed at a normal school by significantly demands at home, meaning she could better handle the demands at school. But part of that was that we eliminated all homework, which the school reluctantly worked with us to do.

My younger (and less severe) PDA'er LOVES school and the social components. Her friends help her regulate so school is easier. But when she is at her limit, she is done and she shows it at school.

Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 20:50     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:My child is similar and has done well at Diener.

I was going to suggest Diener. My dd is too delayed in expressive language for Diener, but I loved everything about it when touring.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 20:46     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Lourie Center, Auburn, Diener.


Lourie Center is not the best place for ASD kids.


Certain kids with ASD do quite well at Lourie - it depends on specific needs. Its worth looking into
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 14:56     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:The Lourie Center, Auburn, Diener.


Lourie Center is not the best place for ASD kids.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 14:49     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Have you tried Ivymount? They should be able to fit your needs.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 13:21     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Auburn
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 09:34     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter has a similar profile, although she’s in prek-4. We’ve loved Maddux for her. They think outside the box and individualize their approaches to each student. After a terrible experience at a Montessori school last year, we moved from DC to Maryland so she could attend Maddux. I have no regrets. It’s been wonderful.
Could I ask why Montessori was a bad fit for PDA?

NP here. We steered clear of Montessori preschool for our ASD/ADHD/PDA kid because of how much agency kids are given. Without a very skilled Montessori teacher, we thought our kid would have stuck to their preferred activities and never come out of their comfort zone. We had success with a more structured, play-based preschool with high-skilled, high-warmth teachers.
Thanks for responding. We’re thinking of Montessori K-8 and then supplementing math and reading outside of school. I’m worried that traditional private will be too rigid.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 07:10     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter has a similar profile, although she’s in prek-4. We’ve loved Maddux for her. They think outside the box and individualize their approaches to each student. After a terrible experience at a Montessori school last year, we moved from DC to Maryland so she could attend Maddux. I have no regrets. It’s been wonderful.
Could I ask why Montessori was a bad fit for PDA?

NP here. We steered clear of Montessori preschool for our ASD/ADHD/PDA kid because of how much agency kids are given. Without a very skilled Montessori teacher, we thought our kid would have stuck to their preferred activities and never come out of their comfort zone. We had success with a more structured, play-based preschool with high-skilled, high-warmth teachers.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2025 00:53     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has a similar profile, although she’s in prek-4. We’ve loved Maddux for her. They think outside the box and individualize their approaches to each student. After a terrible experience at a Montessori school last year, we moved from DC to Maryland so she could attend Maddux. I have no regrets. It’s been wonderful.
Could I ask why Montessori was a bad fit for PDA?
Anonymous
Post 10/28/2025 19:58     Subject: Recommendations for schools for ASD/PDA child

My daughter has a similar profile, although she’s in prek-4. We’ve loved Maddux for her. They think outside the box and individualize their approaches to each student. After a terrible experience at a Montessori school last year, we moved from DC to Maryland so she could attend Maddux. I have no regrets. It’s been wonderful.