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schwza t1_j7ndsms wrote

Reply to comment by xPaladin117 in Autism and Schools by Ductomaniac

I’m looking for a public school district that is more progressive (not sure if that is the right word). I mean more affirming of neurodiversity, less focused on behaving “normal.” This is for a high-function 4 year old with ASD. Anything you would recommend? I’m looking especially at Worcester, shrewsbury, and westborough. Thanks!

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EridanusCorvus t1_j7pkc74 wrote

Westborough has a good program for students with severe disabilities, but in my experience don't believe "smart kids" would ever need accommodations.

Going in with a diagnosis may help, the stuff I struggled with was a bit more nebulous. My mom had to fight them on every front for testing, and even with my results they didn't accommodate me until my senior year. I was making "adequate progress". They made her find the exact legal wording that forced them to test me in high school, and told me if I disputed any of the subjective "observations" they wouldn't have time to put my 504 through before college applications (when at that point I just wanted to show that I did all I had while struggling with a disability they refused to accommodate).

I can't say whether they'd work for your kid, but they didn't do well with me. Kids who are the "right" type of smart can flourish there, and most of the other students meander down the path to graduation without major issues. Bullying happens, but for every terrible teacher there was a great one, they have a lot of opportunities for kids to explore their interests, parents have a lot of opportunity to help out in the elementary schools should they so choose, and it's well funded. I'm not saying steer clear by any means, it's overall pretty good. They have their failings, and this was one of them. Take this anecdote and make your own decision.

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