I note there was an open house today. Hope this helped clear up some questions.

Anonymous wrote:I could have sworn Maddux says on their website their population includes high fucntioning autism. I though it was Lab school thart made it clear they didn't want any form of PDD because they could not provide the ideal accomodations. From what i understand Maddux provides more support than McLean, but less than Katherine Thomas.

I think it used to. When it first opened I could have sworn I read that the school is for HFA and other diagnoses and I recall it being described for "at risk" kids showing signs of learning issues. Maybe that wasn't the wording, but it was more definitive and then at some point I noticed the language got toned down. Perhaps the language made some families rule it out where the child would have been a good fit or something. I notice most of the schools have toned down descriptions so as not to dissuade people perhaps.

Anonymous wrote:bump

I bumped it cause someone was wondering about what a typical Maddux student was like. I thought this would help...

Anonymous wrote:Maddux does take kids with high-functioning ASD, such as my DC who will start there in the fall. I really believe they don't get too hung up on the diagnosis, but they're able to identify kids who would do well in their program. I know it's hard to really nail down the type of kids that Maddux takes. The tour/open house made us realize that it will be a good setting for our child.

Thank you. This is helpful. That makes sense. It's nice to know you can share the diagnosis and it isn't held against you because they care about the fit not the label. I noticed on Maddux threads there are parents who seemed to imply there aren't kids on the spectrum there and they seem defensive about it. It is refreshing to read your post. Congrats to your DC on his/her acceptance!

I agree re:McLean. I believe I was told most of the teachers do not have degrees in special ed, though they do have training. I believe at Maddux the teachers are required to have degrees in special education and they are more equipped to accommodate special needs. McLean seems to have no issue with an Aspergers label as long as the child is a good fit and I haven't read any responses on here from parents implying HFA is a deal-breaker at McLean. I was also told plenty of kids from Maddux go on to McLean and Maddux prepares them well.