Be careful not to get mislead by schools describing their "caring, supportive environment" it's not that the school doesn't provide that, they do but part of how that's done is selecting students who are capable of learning and developing those skills easily and readily. They want kids to come in being capable of absorbing the information through interactions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlike the person who keeps telling me I'm disdainful of SN schools, I actually have looked at the SN schools, so again I happen to know firsthand why they are not right for my child. I don't need to give our whole résumé and background to ask my initial question and I really appreciate those of you who gave constructive feedback without judgement.

I would just caution you to put down your dukes. Even if you found these schools not right for your DC, just using that phrase "not right for my child" is a much better way to describe them than you did previously in this thread.

Agree. Also, OP, I think more than one person thinks you're disdainful of SN schools. (It definitely comes through in what you wrote even if you don't see it.) Which SN schools did you actually tour?

Get a different consultant. Telling you to look at Sheridan and Lowell when your kid needs help with social supports (even if they're minor) is off the mark.

Anonymous wrote:Unlike the person who keeps telling me I'm disdainful of SN schools, I actually have looked at the SN schools, so again I happen to know firsthand why they are not right for my child. I don't need to give our whole résumé and background to ask my initial question and I really appreciate those of you who gave constructive feedback without judgement.

I would just caution you to put down your dukes. Even if you found these schools not right for your DC, just using that phrase "not right for my child" is a much better way to describe them than you did previously in this thread.

I meant I'm ONE of the people.

Anonymous wrote:Op here ... Our consultant recommended field, Lowell and Sheridan. They said definitely not mclean. The SN board doesn't have as many kids, if any at those schools, as this board does, so again, that's why I'm posting here.

I'm the people with a child with an ASD at a mainstream school. The SN board absolutely has parents of kids at these schools and as I wrote before its really only those of us who know about the intersection of these two issues. No one told you to get off this board (jeez, people, reading comprehension) just that you may get better advice there.

Have you spoken specifically with an educational consultant? I ask because the list of schools is not what I think they would recommend. McLean would be at the top of my list because they're the only ones who would offer even a hint of the kind of social supports you are looking for. In addition to what PP wrote before, Sheridan has one class per grade and that class is large in some grades. It would not have worked for my ASD DC. I also know of a very bright child with a very high functioning ASD who was counseled out of Lowell for social reasons. Burke and Field are great with minor academic accommodations and tend to be inclusive schools BUT they don't offer the kind of social support you say your DC needs.

An educational consultant could also advise you about public and whether it would be a better option.

Middle school is tough. Both my DC with an ASD and my NT DC struggled socially in those years. For many kids with ASDs, elementary are the golden years because learning is more rote (often these kids have trouble moving on to more abstract learning) and socialization is more accessible. Tread carefully here.

Unlike the person who keeps telling me I'm disdainful of SN schools, I actually have looked at the SN schools, so again I happen to know firsthand why they are not right for my child. I don't need to give our whole résumé and background to ask my initial question and I really appreciate those of you who gave constructive feedback without judgement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Work with a consultant and also ask your neuropsych for recommendations. Be open with the schools you apply to. Also be mindful of the vibes you put out in parent interviews.

What vibes should parents be concerned about giving out?

I'm not sayng parents in general should be mindful of the vibes they give out in interviews. I'm saying this particular parent should be mindful of it, based on her posts. The posts come across as a little disdainful of many kids who have learning differences or are "quirky."

What do "social supports" in the school environment entail?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally mainstreamed kids with no behavioral issues and no academic issues but needing social support. Any ideas?

I'm confused OP. Are you saying that your child has autism yet has no behavioral and academic issues? How did he/she receive a diagnosis then? These are two areas that are hallmarks of autism, along with social delays.

These are not "hallmarks of autism." You obviously don't know squat about autism, and are as full of prejudices about ASD as the OP is about SN schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here ... Our consultant recommended field, Lowell and Sheridan. They said definitely not mclean. The SN board doesn't have as many kids, if any at those schools, as this board does, so again, that's why I'm posting here.

Sheridan? It is a lovely school, but I know of a kid who was HFA who was counseled out of Sheridan. Sheridan could not offer any support for social cues. He is thriving in MoCo MS programs with specific support for kids with autism. He is in in mainstream classes all day and spends about 45 minutes at the end of the day working on social issues.

I'm a Sheridan parent who is highly supportive of the school, but I haven't seen the school offer this kind of support.

Maybe you could call the learning specialist at each school and find out what support they could provide.

+1, on all counts. It would be a mistake to conflate small, welcoming community with actual supports and a plan. In fact I've seen first hand as a parent what can go wrong when the school tries to use its general, well-intended approach to three different kids with actual SN. Two left (wonder if pp and I are thinking of the same kid) and one is still attending but making life difficult for -classmates- year after year. "Progressive pedagogy" =/= therapeutic plan

people on this board LOVE LOVE LOVE public school -- but it is not the best for everyone.

Anonymous wrote:Op here ... Our consultant recommended field, Lowell and Sheridan. They said definitely not mclean. The SN board doesn't have as many kids, if any at those schools, as this board does, so again, that's why I'm posting here.

Go with the less competitive, more supportive privates. Your consultant should know this inside and out.

Anonymous wrote:Totally mainstreamed kids with no behavioral issues and no academic issues but needing social support. Any ideas?

I'm confused OP. Are you saying that your child has autism yet has no behavioral and academic issues? How did he/she receive a diagnosis then? These are two areas that are hallmarks of autism, along with social delays.

Anonymous wrote:Op here ... Our consultant recommended field, Lowell and Sheridan. They said definitely not mclean. The SN board doesn't have as many kids, if any at those schools, as this board does, so again, that's why I'm posting here.

Sheridan? It is a lovely school, but I know of a kid who was HFA who was counseled out of Sheridan. Sheridan could not offer any support for social cues. He is thriving in MoCo MS programs with specific support for kids with autism. He is in in mainstream classes all day and spends about 45 minutes at the end of the day working on social issues.

I'm a Sheridan parent who is highly supportive of the school, but I haven't seen the school offer this kind of support.

Maybe you could call the learning specialist at each school and find out what support they could provide.

I post on the SN board all the time... This is a different board with different insights. What's with all the get off this board vibe?