What're most Neuro Affirming Schools in Berkeley/East Bay No ABA?
Hi,
I am looking for recommendations on Neurodiversity affirming schools for a six yo AuDHD child, also 2E (twice exceptional). We are looking for strength-based, child-centering schools that value academic knowledge but have an understanding of how neurodivergent brains work, teach emotional regulation and co-regulation, do not have a behavioral approach, and do not want to modify your child. Dir/Floortime type. We visited Anova and Burkard, all heavy ABA. Will visit Helix. Big Mind didn't work; I tried Walden but didn't get in. Berkwood Hedge also didn't have enough support.
Please let me know if you have any advise. We are in AUSD, and they do not offer an inclusion setting; SCD is the most restrictive environment.
Nov 3, 2024
Parent Replies
Posting in solidarity; finding good schools for neurodivergent kids is HARD. Our 8-year-old AuDHDer is at Wildcat Canyon Community School and it's working well enough, but not spectacularly well. It seems like many ND kids have a hard time when there's limited space for individualized attention, which is often the case in classrooms even at expensive private schools. We've heard very good things about self-directed education programs; I've got friends who attend the Diablo Valley Sudbury School in Concord and LOVE it. Will definitely be watching to see what other responses you get.
Also posting in solidarity. My kid currently attends Forest school but at 7 years old, ages out. I’m thinking I’ll have to homeschool unless I find a setting that works. I’ve explored all of the schools you mentioned, and none of them seem suitable.
I’m exploring self-directed learning centers and outdoor education in other parts of the Bay Area.
Tilden Prep in Albany or Walnut Creek. But it's middle and high school only. One on one learning with a mix of students, many seem to be ND. It's worked well for us.
Keep this in your back pocket for when your child is older.