<p>My son was diagnosed with high functioning autism and is currently in a private LD school. He is doing well. I have started thinking about where to send him to high school in a couple of years. Public schools are not an option as I don't want to fight with them about services, IEPs, etc. I have high hopes for this kid and am looking for a top notch prep school which provides support to kids with learning differences. I realize that the very top rated prep schools probably don't want an application from us. Where have your kids with learning differences gone to High school (9-12) and how did you make the decision on the school? Thanks.</p>
<p>My son with Asperger’s attended a very large, rigorous public. After the initial diagnosis and plan of action, which occurred in 2nd grade (while in public school), we didn’t have to fight with anybody about services, IEP’s, or anything at all. We have been very, very happy with our public school system. My son is currently very happy and doing really well in college. I wouldn’t necessarily rule out public schools. Some are very good. They have excellent resources; smart, well-trained personnel who know how to develop a relevant, helpful IEP; and are more cost-effective than private programs. I cannot say enough good about the life-changing help my son received through our public school system.</p>
<p>I go to a small rural high school and I am doing just fine. Why would you have to fight anyone? If you find a school with a good learning support teacher and an autism support teacher, that is all you really need. Have you looked into your local high school? Don’t listen to what the neighbors say, if you haven’t talked to the school personnel first.</p>
<p>Plus I can do a lot more than my friends at a private school near here do. They don’t have a band, they don’t do plays, they don’t have a lot of things. I am on student council (they don’t have that), and pretty much all they do is bowl and play video games. Not that I don’t like video games. :)</p>
<p>I too would not rule out a public school. They have the mandate to serve all students, LD or not. Many or most college prep private schools do not have the resources or experience to handle LD issues, IMHO. </p>
<p>Are you looking for a school like this? [The</a> Phelps School -> Home](<a href=“http://www.thephelpsschool.org/RelId/33637/ISvars/default/Home.htm]The”>http://www.thephelpsschool.org/RelId/33637/ISvars/default/Home.htm)</p>
<p>I am sure others exist, but I am not familiar with them.</p>
<p>I didn’t have to fight much to get D’s public school 504 plan - - but getting it implemented was quire difficult, especially when the plan called for anything (like posting assignment son the web) that teachers weren’t absolutely required, by contract, to do. </p>
<p>We had varying degrees of success with three private schools. None of the schools required a 504 or IEP, since small class size was intended to premit accommodation for any/every student. The traditional, rigorous, affluent school was far more supportive (the staff was very talented and on-the-ball) than the more liberal/holistic programs, each of which, tho not for LD students, enrolled a number of LD students. The traditional school also had a MUCH larger endowment than the other two combined.</p>
<p>I am NLD, which falls under the same umbrella as aspergers and austism, although I am not either of those. I go to a large public high school in the north east, and I was only diagnosed in April 2011. We have not had to fight for my IEP to be put in place, you shouldn’t either.</p>