Re: School help! Re: Monarch

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add my two cents regarding Monarch. I have found it to be an ideal setting for my daughter who is very verbal. They have some very high functioning kids in their upper school. Several of the kids in my daughter's class last year were selected to be part of the summer volunteer group at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo last summer. One of the children in my daughter's class this year holds a part time job (with no supports). Some kids at Monarch are very intelligent - several have Asberger's and are at Monarch not because of what we typically consider communication issues, but are there because of the incredible social skills instruction and ability to meet individual needs for sensory/structure.

I think it is sad that many school systems and some parents do not recognize that Monarch is not just for kids who are non-verbal. Especially in the upper school (grade 7-12), many kids are there because they cannot handle the large, chaotic environment of local middle and high schools, and have sensory issues and behavioral issues that occur when they are in that setting. My daughter is in 8th grade there-is very verbal, reads on about a sixth grade level, volunteers at a pet grooming store, and is considered high functioning. The truth is she is high functioning because she is at Monarch, and they can accommodate her many sensory needs, needs for structure, consistency and have a nurturing environment with limited stress and NO bullying. She had major behavioral issues and was suicidal when in the public school setting. As she got in the upper grades, her social skill deficits became much more pronounced, the environment became more chaotic and truly it was a nightmare for all involved,

Good luck with whatever path you take- it is great that there are more schools opening to serve the wide range of needs of our children. What is a great school for many, may not fit every child.