Hello, can you please help me to understand the different private school options for a 6yo who has a learning challenge. He’s well behaved but has some sort of memory issue and potentially dyslexia. Neuropsychologist report was inconclusive so far
Are their consultants who specialize in helping families to identify the best fit amongst the SN schools, is so is there a consultant you’d recommend?
Thanks
Windward, Gaynor, Gateway seem to be the top choices among people I know who have LD kids.
Thanks, also Churchill, do you know if those are the only four? I need to find out what grade each starts at, I know Windward is second grade but Gaynor starts earlier. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of each one? Thank you
Gaynor I found is very wealthy and self-congratulatory. My SN kid did nicely there but it was one big eye roll experience for us as parents. Lots of nonsense. Maybe try Windward, Mary McDowell, Churchill? I think Gateway might have the same elitist crowd as Gaynor from what I have heard.
Thanks. Do you know what kind of SN they specialize in addressing? I’m not sure where to start with all this 😔
Has your current school suggested a SN school? Is DC struggling? Just curious. I am dyslexic (and not a "mild" case) and attended mainstream private schools. I did receive tutoring in elementary school and a few special accommodations throughout school (like time and half for tests), but I always had straight As and graduated from a top 20 college in 3 years. My private elementary school initially suggested my parents look at SN schools when I was diagnosed, but my parents advocated for me as they didn't see the need if my grades were still top of my class. If I was struggling though, they would have moved me.
Yes the school he‘s in flagged this for us. Plus his learning style is different to his older siblings. We don’t yet know if we can make do with extra tutoring or if we should move him altogether. I’m glad you’re doing so well now!
If you decide to leave, the school should help you with exmissions to the right place for him. Mainstreams have relationships with all the SN schools and should know where your DC will be a good fit
OP they haven‘t been that helpful so that’s why I’m asking for advice here. Thanks
You might google Sarah Birnbaum, who is a schools consultant (schools and other things I think?)
Thanks. I just looked her up and she has a great background for this.
Join the Brooklyn Special Kids group. It's really helpful, tons of answers and info. It's not Brooklyn specific so much, the schools, doctors, etc are all over the city so you will get recommendations outside of Brooklyn.
Thanks so much. How would I join?
@Anonymous You request to join and they email back asking you to say why you are joining.
@Anon You want this https://groups.io/g/BrooklynSpecialKids rather than the facebook group, I think? (If anyone has a legacy yahoo group or other weird old listserv in their life, groups.io is very good at moving them to a good new system. You can read the posts in a browser like here or ask to have a digest emailed to you. Thumbs up.)
Even though YBM is generally awful, their Special Needs board is actually quite helpful and the parents there are nice! I'd post there too.
Thanks
Yes
Windward I believe is more for straight dyslexia. Gaynor also does some processing / speech language delay issues. Again - I'm not delighted with nor advocating for Gaynor but im sure you will find plenty of people who will.
Isn't Churchill for dyslexia also?
Not sure. Also the JCC on the UWS is running virtual parent support groups for parents like us. That's where I found out where to go / apply.
What is the JCC