Families sometime seek a private school for their child with special needs. They may be seeking an inclusive environment, or plan to educate the child in the same school as older brothers and sisters. Some private schools offer summer programs in addition to or that are included in the regular school year. Larger communities may offer programs that are associated with churches or are otherwise culturally appropriate for particular neighborhood groups, or feature staff who are multilingual as well as multicultural.

Some private school curriculum is based on Montessori methods or Waldorf education. Others may offer better schoolwide accommodations for hearing impairment, neurological or developmental disability, or chronic health conditions. Some private schools have accredited programs for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), or total communication.

Parents who would otherwise homeschool their children may find a private school in their area that features specific curriculum, class size, staff or philosophy that is a better fit for their families. Some private schools have been started by family members concerned with restricted options for a child with special needs. Many private schools provide partial scholarships for neighborhood children, offer reduced rates for the second or third child in a family, and may offer discounts to members of affiliated congregations and their own staff members' families.

If you are considering private schooling, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is an excellent resource to find quality programs throughout the United States. If your child is already enrolled in a private school, the NAEYC offers support, training, and has criteria for accreditation that will ensure better quality opportunities for children, staff and families.

Browse at your local bookstore, public library or online retailer for items like The Law of Special Education and Non-Public Schools: Major Challenges in Meeting the Needs of Youth with Disabilities, and How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way, Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, the Montessori Sorting Box for great ideas about encouraging children as they learn and grow.

Alternative Designs for Special Education
Support for Developing and Sustaining Programs in Private Schools
http://adspecialed.com/

Early Childhood Education and NAEYC
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art53251.asp

Montessori
Benefits to Students with Down Syndrome in the Inclusion Classroom
http://www.riverbendDS.org/bosworth.html

Salt Lake Tribune: Renewed approach to test the 'magic of Montessori'
Mom's trials educating daughter with Down syndrome led to
creation of new school - The Elizabeth Academy in Murray, Utah

Preschool and the Child with Down Syndrome
http://www.riverbendDS.org/gibson.html

University of Kansas Circle of Inclusion Project
Inclusion Within the Context of a Montessori Classroom
http://www.circleofinclusion.org/english/demo/lawrenceraintree/overview/mont.html

National Autistic Society
The Autistic Spectrum - Autism, Asperger syndrome (AS) and Semantic Pragmatic Disorder (SPD) - a practical Montessori response by Wendy Fidler
The three Rs of autism - Montessori learning environments

Typical Private Schools and Autistic Learners
http://autism.about.com/od/schoolandsummer/a/edoptionshub_4.htm

Waldorf Education
Camphill Association of North America
Waldorf Schools for Children with Developmental Disabilities
http://www.camphill.org/
Resources on Waldorf Education
http://www.waldorfanswers.org/Resources.htm
Frequently Asked Questions about Waldorf Education

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati - Education Resources
http://www.dsagc.com/programs.asp

Homeschool Considered Private School in Some States (Illinois)
http://www.riverbendDS.org/homeschooling.html


Deaf Education Information from the Clerc Center
Gallaudet University
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu

Alone in the Mainstream - A Deaf Woman Remembers Public School (review)
http://deafness.about.com/od/historicprogress/fr/alonemainstream.htm

Children with Diabetes
Children with Diabetes at School
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/survey/d_0h_131.htm

Information on Diabetes for Classmates
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0q_421.htm

Children with Diabetes and Behavior at School
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/dteam/index_behavior.htm

Protect Your Child at School - Diabetes Health
What if my child goes to private school?
www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2003/07/01/4017.html

Special Alternative Ed, Nonpublic schools, charter schools, consulting services
http://www.aes-schools.org/special.html

PACER Center - Parentally-Placed Private School Children with Disabilities
http://www.fape.org/

Friendship and Inclusion for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48700.asp

Special Ed Comes to Catholic School
http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2010/02/23/special-education-comes-to-catholic-school.htm