My daughter will be a junior this year in high school. She is LD and has had always had troubles in making and keeping friendships. Due to this, she would like to attend a new school, even a boarding school. I hate to send her to a new place, only have her to struggle again socially. Therefore I was wondering if anyone knows of a boarding school which an emphasis on developing social skills, or maybe even a short seminar or symposium she/I could attend on developing social skills.
Thanks
Re: Private schooling on social skills
Before considering a boarding school which is probably not the least restrictive environment talk with your school guidance counselor. She may have a social skill deficit and needs to have some direct instruction in this area. We sometimes assume that children will intuitively know what behaviors are appropriate in all social settings. Through modeling, demonstration and guided practice she may experience success. I am a teacher in a middle school. At this stage of development I notice that most of my students feel insecure and some are clueless about what is appropriate or inappropriate. I teach LD and EH and focus on these skills during my Unique Skills Class.
You don’t say where you’re located. In my area, there is an excellent program for helping kids with social skills although I’m not sure it goes up to high school age kids. It might also be that trainees of this program are out there with groups of their own now. The program is called Collage.
As to schools with programs that direct themselves to this, try looking under the special needs section in Peterson’s Guide To The Independent Schools.
You can find it in any library or good book store.