Hi. OP here...Just to update...We are still looking for a school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The New School

What is that? I googled and only got a NYC school.

https://newschoolva.com/

Anonymous wrote:The New School

What is that? I googled and only got a NYC school.

The New School

Anonymous wrote:Is he average or above average IQ. Some schools will gladly take your application fee, but will not consider if any aspect of IQ is below average.

How are his interactions with peers?

A lot of the private schools that work with HFA do not have as small a class size as you mention. I might consider getting an educational consultant who can look at everything about your son. I certainly would not move to a place just to be near the private school he gets into. They will counsel out if it turns out the school is a poor fit. I would at least make sure the public schools in that area are good for HFA.

I see this thread is being bumped. OK where did he go?

Is he average or above average IQ. Some schools will gladly take your application fee, but will not consider if any aspect of IQ is below average.

How are his interactions with peers?

A lot of the private schools that work with HFA do not have as small a class size as you mention. I might consider getting an educational consultant who can look at everything about your son. I certainly would not move to a place just to be near the private school he gets into. They will counsel out if it turns out the school is a poor fit. I would at least make sure the public schools in that area are good for HFA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lab School in DC. Not sure if your child would be too high for that school but worth looking into.

Lab school focuses on LDs. Not suitable for an HFA kid without an LD.

Agree, however, Lab has admitted at least 3 HFA students that our family
knew personally. I wouldn’t recommend LSW for HFA, because we saw, first hand,
how poorly they were treated by the student body. It was a miserable experience for those students.

Anonymous wrote:Jenny - what did you guys decide?

I'm curious too. If you haven't decided, you should check out McLean. Small class sizes, individualized instruction, good with kids who learn differently and need supports for social skills.

Anonymous wrote:What about the deiner school??

That would only work for 1 year, which seems less than ideal.

What about the deiner school??

Jenny - what did you guys decide?

Thank you - great information here!

If you’re looking at Lab but it’s too much, also check Burke and Field. They’ve got small classes and flexible support but not dedicated LD teams.

In an educational setting beyond lower elementary, what works for kids with ADHD (and anxiety) can be very similar to what HFA kids need, which is why there are some ASD kids at Commonwealth. And based on what you share about your past school, could be a good fit.
However, as they will tell you, they do not specialize in offering direct social instruction. It can be helpful to communicate to them that your goal is to find the best fit and keep lines of communication open. I think all privates worry about accepting an ASD kid and then have to counsel them out leaving disgruntled parents who argue 'but you accepted him'.
FWIW we have a child at Commonwealth and have been happy there.

jbarceneaux wrote:Commonwealth looks good too - similar to my son's school now. Does anyone know if they have kids with ASD there? My son's autism wasn't diagnosed till he was 10 even though he was screened at age 4. The school that he goes to now has kids with mild autism and ADHD and Dyslexia- all types of different learners. Thanks.

Yes, they do have autistic kids there. Your son's current school would need to write a strong letter of rec that he could manage socially without explicit social supports.