That’s why PPs advised OP to check to see if recommended schools fit the child’s needs.

Can you recommend any mainstream private schools for OP?

Think long and hard about what you want for your kiddo. Most teachers in Catholic aren’t special Ed teachers and don’t know the first thing about how to adapt the curriculum to fit a student with special needs so they actually access learning. Most Catholic schools are not equipped with special resources such as speech therapy, OT, PT and special Ed. It’s ok to admit that special need kids learn differently and need a varied and more targeted approach based on where they are developmentally. If you go Catholic, you’ll be foregoing all the specialized support that they can get early on that’s imbedded in the classroom. It just does not happen even if they tout the buzz terminology “inclusion”. At best they’ll be stuck with an aid who isn’t super knowledgeable who will just do everything for them or have a limited understanding of where they are developmentally and which activities are the “right fit challenge”. The student sadly ends up being along for the ride, but not in the drivers seat. I’ve seen teachers try to make a kid trace their name when they could not even hold a pencil correctly or consistently draw a vertical line. If you have a whole support system of specialists set up who then consult with the teacher that’s certainly better. No doubt Catholic schools have awesome and caring cultures. They want to help but aren’t equipped. Consider public to gain some skills and revisit in HS. Then you can look at O’Connell, which has a specialized program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools do not offer the support needed for most special learning needs. It’s sad, but true. I’ve seen extra help for typical learners, but not for a constant need. Catholic schools should rethink what God has called them to do.

You are not familiar with the schools in this area. There are several schools in the Arlington Diocese that have the resources to work with Down syndrome kids and other learning challenges. It doesn’t make sense for every school to offer those services, but they are available at schools for families who need them. Op listed several in the op.

I am familiar and live in Arlington.

My kids are at one of the schools listed in the op and they do a great job with kids who have Down Syndrome, and also kids with learning difficulties like dyslexia. They have a whole department of people dedicated to working with them. I disagree with your post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

I did not feel offended reading this. It’s true and heartbreaking. Religious schools should accommodate everyone. ADHD and dyslexic students typically have a normal IQ, and can get extra help with reading and focusing. With a low IQ the need is across the board in all subjects.

Why religious schools? Have any non-religious mainstream schools been recommended?

because catholic schools have that as part of their mission.

And non-Catholic schools should have it as part of their mission as well. At least they say that’s their mission - to be inclusive, welcoming and diverse.

There is an extremely high % of Down’s syndrome babies aborted when parents learn of diagnosis. Obviously the Catholic Church is against abortion and this is one way they are “pro life.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools do not offer the support needed for most special learning needs. It’s sad, but true. I’ve seen extra help for typical learners, but not for a constant need. Catholic schools should rethink what God has called them to do.

You are not familiar with the schools in this area. There are several schools in the Arlington Diocese that have the resources to work with Down syndrome kids and other learning challenges. It doesn’t make sense for every school to offer those services, but they are available at schools for families who need them. Op listed several in the op.

I am familiar and live in Arlington.

My DC with dyslexia did wonderful in our Catholic school. There was a reading specialist that worked with her. We did supplement also. The school also has a larger program for DC with greater needs.

What kind of behaviors does your child exhibit?

Some of the Catholics can serve kids with minimal maladaptive behaviors. They struggle with more extreme behaviors which the school won't acknowledge.

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools do not offer the support needed for most special learning needs. It’s sad, but true. I’ve seen extra help for typical learners, but not for a constant need. Catholic schools should rethink what God has called them to do.

Start donating. Special training, special designed classrooms and bathrooms, special curriculum, therapists, special testing, and bespoke relationships for high school options and beyond.

Maybe there’s some federal grant programs that can help. It’s very costly and time consuming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

I did not feel offended reading this. It’s true and heartbreaking. Religious schools should accommodate everyone. ADHD and dyslexic students typically have a normal IQ, and can get extra help with reading and focusing. With a low IQ the need is across the board in all subjects.

Why religious schools? Have any non-religious mainstream schools been recommended?

because catholic schools have that as part of their mission.

And non-Catholic schools should have it as part of their mission as well. At least they say that’s their mission - to be inclusive, welcoming and diverse.

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools do not offer the support needed for most special learning needs. It’s sad, but true. I’ve seen extra help for typical learners, but not for a constant need. Catholic schools should rethink what God has called them to do.

You are not familiar with the schools in this area. There are several schools in the Arlington Diocese that have the resources to work with Down syndrome kids and other learning challenges. It doesn’t make sense for every school to offer those services, but they are available at schools for families who need them. Op listed several in the op.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

I did not feel offended reading this. It’s true and heartbreaking. Religious schools should accommodate everyone. ADHD and dyslexic students typically have a normal IQ, and can get extra help with reading and focusing. With a low IQ the need is across the board in all subjects.

Why religious schools? Have any non-religious mainstream schools been recommended?

because catholic schools have that as part of their mission.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

I did not feel offended reading this. It’s true and heartbreaking. Religious schools should accommodate everyone. ADHD and dyslexic students typically have a normal IQ, and can get extra help with reading and focusing. With a low IQ the need is across the board in all subjects.

Why religious schools? Have any non-religious mainstream schools been recommended?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

I did not feel offended reading this. It’s true and heartbreaking. Religious schools should accommodate everyone. ADHD and dyslexic students typically have a normal IQ, and can get extra help with reading and focusing. With a low IQ the need is across the board in all subjects.

It is unrealistic to expect every Catholic school to be able to optimally serve the needs of this population.

Jumping on the activist entitlement bandwagon?

Folks it’s not mentally retarded, that was 30 years ago. It’s not special needs, that was 10 years ago. It’s differences”. We’re all the same, just on a spectrum. Everyone can and should go to whatever school or job or company they desire. Or else we’ll sue you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one recommendation for a non-Catholic mainstream private in NoVa? Any in DC or MoCo (assuming OP is in Va and MoCo is closest Md county)?

Go on Special Needs forum. Mainstream parochial, public or private schools are not equipped to specialize for various LDs or SNs. I'm sure you already know this.

What an ignorant and arrogant comment. Wow. Your mainstream school has ADHD kids and kids with dyslexia, etc. Open your f++king eyes. Maybe you meant to be more nuanced...?

I did not feel offended reading this. It’s true and heartbreaking. Religious schools should accommodate everyone. ADHD and dyslexic students typically have a normal IQ, and can get extra help with reading and focusing. With a low IQ the need is across the board in all subjects.