My son who is in 3rd grade, was just diagnosed with LD and also has speech impairment as well as Specific Language Impairment. He is mainstream in school but this year has been VERY difficult. We found a private school that is for children with LD and Language disabilities. We have been considering putting our son into this private school in 5th grade (the school is for grades 5-12) because the school is outstanding and of course its just perfect for him. I have asked a couple of professionals their oppinioin on taking him out of mainstream and placing him here. I have gotten different reactions. All say how great the school is but to place him in there where all of the student population has the same disabilities and with no one having good social skills…well there would be no one there to model good social behaviors. This cirriculum also offers daily socialization teaching…as well as tailoring teaching to their specific needs. The ratio is one teacher per 3 students!!!!!! Other professionals say to wait and see how he is doing at that time. Some feel its too restritive. I look at it as ideal. He gets to make friends with other kids with the same problems. He’s not the minority - he’s the majority. He wouldnt get all the pull outs, his school day is tailored to HIM. I would love to hear anyone’s oppinion on this. Or if anyone has been through the same situation. Thanks!
Re: Private school for LD VS staying mainstream
We have been out of the mainstream for 2 years. There are the pros that you have stated but there are some cons also. Let me point out a few of ours.
1. Our first LD School was very intensive and great for the kids academically but the socialization was horrible. The was no playground and the kids came from everywhere to attend this school. Needless to say no great bonds were formed.
2. We switched to a larger and more socialized school. Better playground, organized sports, etc. Thinking that this would be the better of both worlds. Well, the kids still don’t bond well and they still drive from all four corners. The academics are not as good as the smaller school so we perhaps made the wrong decision.
3. Last con, the cost. We have paid so far in the last two years close to $50,000 in tuition. Of course, this is for two kids. We are only in 2nd and 4th grade. They are not making great strides - mainstreaming might take years. Be prepared. We do look at it like an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure…..but it’s expensive!
We all want the best for our kids. You’ll know in your heart that it’s right decision or a wrong one.
Re: Private school for LD VS staying mainstream
If you are still watching this thread I wanted to respond. My son is in year 4 at an LD school (started in 4th grade) for similar issues. It has SAVED his life. He reads well above grade level and scores very high on all standardized tests for reading and math (untimed, of course). yes, the social piece is difficult, but you can overcome that if you are willing to make the effort.
I would take a careful approach and make sure that it really is appropriate for him. Will it meet his needs and prepare him for life outside of the school setting? Maybe make a list of the pros and cons of each program. Talk to other parents who have children in the LD school. Have him spend a day shadowing a student at the LD school next year to see how he likes it.
I’ve had friends who have had success putting their kids into LD schools and others who have horror stories. Each school and student are different and you have to find what fits your child.