School environments for K / elementary

[ABPW]

Hi all, for ADHD/anxiety kids, what school environments have worked? Public school with IEP / special needs schools / supportive mainstream schools? We're in NYC and our 6 yo is struggling in Kindergarten..

[Hidden]

Yanno, my daughter was in a charter school for three years and this year we switched to a public school. I am so thankful every day that we did. She was diagnosed at the end of August and we have had SO much support from everyone at her school, teachers, counselors, administrators, school psychologist, nurse. She just started her IEP and it is going great. I know not everyone has the same experience with public school, but it has been really great for us!

[anirush]

We personally couldn't afford a school specifically for ADHD kids. My daughter was in a private school but I had to fight with the administration constantly to get her accommodations. Even public schools are not all the same. I had to fight constantly for my grandson in gradr school but his middle school has been very supportive of with lots of things like an IEP to help him

[123boys]

Unfortunately, I think it is a trial and error process. Some states/school administrations/teachers are great and others not so great. It will all depend on your individual public school and it's staff. My son is in 2nd grade public school with adhd and anxiety. We only just recently got a 504 plan after trying since kindergarten. If we could afford the 35-40k/year tuitions for special or private school then we would do it.

You should look into Child Mind Institute since you are in NYC. They may have resources to help you.

Good luck!

[RichSeitzOceanNJ]

Push for your school or your teacher to get the Pax Good Behavior Game teaching strategy into the classroom. Reduces ADHD symptoms and improves behaviors of all students without focusing on ADHD students. Allows/encourages/ uses short physical activity rewards for behavior during class work. Cited in US Surgeon General's reports, Institute of Medicine reports, National Academy of Science reports. Here's one reference specific to ADHD: Bates, Mary. “Calm Down Boys, Adolescent Girls have ADHD, too.” Psychology Today, June 2012.

psychologytoday.com/article...

[MunchkinMommy537]

My son went to PreK at a private daycare and it was awful. They didn’t have enough staff to accommodate anyone that wasn’t NT. We fought to have them complete the paperwork for his evaluation (after they threatened to kick him out if we didn’t have one done), and the director actually convinced my 4.5 year old that he was going to go to jail if his behavior didn’t improve. We started regular public kindergarten and they were great. Half way through they decide he would benefit from being in a smaller class specifically for kids like him. His teachers are the most patient people ever. He’s still struggling, but at least he’s in the class all day (instead of being sent home).

[roseofmyheart85]

I agree with 123boys. I think it is a trial and error process. Some states/school administrations/teachers are great. It will all depend on your individual public school and it's staff.

Do you have a Scottish Rite Facility in NYC?

I will be praying for you and your family.