School for Mild Neurodiversity – ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, 2E

Finding the right school fit is always a priority, and it’s even more important for students with mild neurodiversity, such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, or other special needs. For students who are both gifted and have an additional neurodiversity, often called 2E, it can be critical to find the right combination of support and challenge. This blog will focus on the characteristics of a school that provide this ideal environment.

Public vs Private School

In addition to a free education, a major benefit of a public school is special education law. For students who qualify for an IEP for 504, their support in public school is legally binding and comes at no cost. The best way to find out what your school district will offer your child, file for an IEP (services) or 504 (accommodations). The district must respond within 15 days. For students who are offered a substantial IEP, the services will be offered at school and at no cost, saving families both time and money, and integrating the educational and therapeutic approaches. 

Unfortunately, many school districts deny IEPs and 504s on the basis of academic achievement, and not always a legally sound answer. If your child has a mild neurodiversity and is not below grade level, an IEP Advocate can be helpful to understand your rights under special education law. This is particularly important for 2E children, who are both gifted academically and have an additional neurodiversity.

For students who are denied an IEP, the advantages of private school are a lower student-teacher ratio and a more flexible approach to accommodations. While general education private schools rarely offer the comprehensive services in a robust IEP, the accommodations process is streamlined. Typically, the parent shares an educational or neuropsychological assessment with the school’s learning specialist or disability officer, and then the parent meets with this staff person to discuss the best options for the child. In cases without a robust IEP, a private school may therefore offer a better outcome for the child.

Neurodiverse Friendly School Features 

Before choosing a school, it’s important to think through your child’s needs. Their current school or preschool is most likely to understand their learning style, among several of the aspects below. My philosophy summarized, no school will meet 100% of your ideals, so think about what are the 80% most important features for your child. The fabric of the school’s philosophy and social environment should always be prioritized, whereas aspects that you can supplement outside of the school day can be flexed when necessary. After touring a school, ask yourself, Will my child be happy here? 

• High vs Low Structure. Some students thrive in a structured environment, and flail when not offered enough direction. Other students need low structure and high flexibility. To understand this aspect of each school, ask for a typical schedule and observe students on the tour. Look at projects and notice whether they look very similar or different. For example, does the class have specific times for each subject, such as math, language arts, and social studies? Do the students decide on their own projects, or do the students all make the same one? 

• Project-Based/Inquiry-Based vs Traditional. Depending on your child, they might prefer a more hands on teaching methodology. Ask about the school’s philosophy. A project-based, inquiry-based, or constructivist school will have many projects, exploration, hands-on learning, and few or no tests, whereas a traditional program will often have worksheets, testing, and more teacher-led explanations. For students who enjoy creativity, the progressive, hands-on methodologies are an enjoyable way to learn. For students who need more direction, either a progressive curriculum with more structure, traditional, or a balanced program might be a fit.

• Flexibility for Movement. Depending on the type of diagnosis, a student might need a classroom that allows for movement; often the more hands-on learning curriculums can meet this need. For example, some children need movement breaks, wiggle chairs, and break-out space. These classroom features are easily discernible during a school tour.

• Learning Specialist. Whether your child needs extra academic help or not, a learning specialist signals that the school takes neurodiversity seriously, and that there is a point person to discuss accommodations. These staff members have a background in understanding neurodiverse learners and can suggest ways for your child to be successful. You can often find these roles on a school’s website under staff listings.

• Academic Challenge or Support. Whether your child needs extra support in a subject due to a learning disability or attention challenge, or extra challenge due to intellectual giftedness, a school with flexibility on academic goals will be helpful. For instance, a 2E child who is mathematically gifted might need either harder problems and more word problems, or single subject acceleration in math. The same child who needs math acceleration might need extra support in essay writing, or the reverse where a child needs extra challenge in writing and extra support in math. For students needing support, look for schools that have learning specialist support, and a tutoring list. For students needing extra challenge, look for extra word problems and a policy that allows for single subject acceleration. Overall, a flexible school will be more likely to meet the needs of neurodiverse students.

• Outside Resources. A word on outside resources, parents often must bring in extra support or challenge on their own. By example, your medical insurance might pay for occupational therapy or physical therapy. An outside tutor familiar with dyslexia might help with reading challenges. 

Assessment Resources for Diagnosis

Most commonly, assessments are completed by psychologists or developmental pediatricians. If you live in the Bay Area, Vicky can send you her list of assessors.

Role of a K-12 Consultant 

A consultant can help you navigate through the school selection and application process process to develop the school list, edit your application essays, and select the best fit for your child. While I keep a list of schools with openings, I also consider the student and family needs when I craft a school list. A consultant can also review all admissions materials, in particular student and parent essays, to help focus them to each school’s admissions goals. How to share a neurodiverse child’s needs can be critical in gaining admissions. For those children who have challenges writing up their ideas, I can directly work with your child to brainstorm, draft, and edit their own essays. I provide feedback on whether the essays read as genuine and how to shine during the application process. 

Want more input on K-12 schools?

Vicky consults with families to help select, apply to, and communicate with public and private schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Vicky maintains a principle of non-judgment. Hourly, VIP, and Season packages include a discussion to review school options, applications, essays, and key decisions. Vicky offers a limited number of packages each year to assure her availability. 

Vicky’s own children have attended both public and private schools, and have received both accommodations and curriculum changes; her elder is in high school, and her younger in middle school. New clients can email to learn more about her services, or see her website to learn about her packages.