Anyone in Illinois with AS get into IMSA?

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That has always been my son's dream, but he is so disorganized that his grades have always suffered. However, if you test him, he's always in the 99th percentile in the nation.

Is anyone familiar with IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy) and know whether or not they accept kids with AS and organizational problems? I fear that left to his own devices, he may fail to turn in work or lose it, just as he does now, but I hate to see this opportunity wasted. He was only recently diagnosed after years of being thought of as a lazy student. His algebra teacher was the only one that could see past his difficulties and was amazed to find that he grasped concepts in his mind that she could barely do on paper.

We met with his teachers last year and all thought the idea was ridiculous and that he could never make it on his own...all except that lone algebra teacher.

Any suggestions? He's a freshman and the applications are due in March.

Thanks,
CCat

oops, triple post. see below

Last edited by DW_a_mom on 05 Nov 2010, 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

oops, triple post. see below

Last edited by DW_a_mom on 05 Nov 2010, 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

If you think this place could inspire your child, I'd drive right on over and ask them. I wouldn't hide anything; let them see your son's gifts as you see them, and ask if they think it could be a fit. You'll never know if its a school full of teachers like the algebra teacher, or a school full of your most disliked teachers, until you look.

My son is only in 5th grade, but that is where I want him to go to high school. I don't know anything right now about the admission criteria. I would think your son having AS would be a benefit on the application, not sure. Let me know how it goes. I bet you could call the school and tell them you are considering applying your son - ask for parent references and feel out the parents you call to see if you feel comfortable asking them and get as much info out of them as you can.

We did go up for a visit last year and were able to speak to some of the parents, but, unfortunately, the staff were so busy that we didn't get a chance to speak to them directly. I was so impressed with the school (and so was my husband and son) that's all we talked about for months. We thought the visit would be a huge motivator for his underachievement, but things stayed the same regarding his homework and organization. We didn't have a diagnosis back then, and the parents that we talked to said that homework is a big part of the grade there and if he can't get it turned in then he wouldn't make it.

You present an interesting conundrum: getting into any of the CPS magnet programs is a gamble at best, and the "gifted" programs are even more difficult - however, if your son is under an IEP or a 504 his executive function would be covered under the ADA. I think they'd have a hard time turning him down and would have to offer accommodations.

What does his current school think of the idea?

Unfortunately, trying to get some AS boys (and some boys, period) organized is about equivalent to asking a third grader to take on that level of responsibility. They aren't developmentally ready to take on what they aren't developmentally ready to take on. My husband and I utilized every back up we could find to track my son's homework assignments through the first two years of middle school and, now, suddenly, he's grown into enough of the skill to get by without us. A few missed assignments, but nothing fatal. I'm amazed. You do what you have to do on that, even if it means stopping by each teacher's classroom every day after school. Many schools have phone message systems and internet postings now, so utilize EVERYTHING. Academic support programs are great for helping with it, as well, and many schools now have that as an elective class for children with diagnosed educational differences (even some private schools). I would NOT let the worries about organization and homework keep you from pursuing the school you think is best for your son. You push to meet with them as soon as he gets in, and you work out a plan. Some of the most brilliant minds in the world suffer from executive dysfunction. It can be worked around and supported with help from others.

just looking over the website, it seems that its a state funded school, so i would assume its considered public and they would have to comply with IDEA laws. you could always just call them and ask. use a friends phone if you are worried about them taking note of your number or caller id info.

Thank you all for the information and the encouragement. He's already working on his essays, so we will go ahead and send in an application. He did not get an IEP or 504. I met with the teachers and staff at his high school after his diagnosis and they thought it was best to have the social worker help him with organization, and that he stay after school several nights a week for tutoring which is also for organizational skills. He's yet to take advantage of the after-school tutoring though. He also didn't want to draw attention to himself and was afraid that an IEP or 504 would cause him embarrassment, especially after all the years of bullying he's put up with. Things are so much better now, in high school. He gets along much better with the other kids than he ever did in grade school or junior high. He makes average grades, but excels on tests, and because he was making average grades, they said he really didn't qualify for an IEP or 504.

Page three of the application includes a space to let them know about learning or attentional differences, and is to be completed by the student.

There's also an area for the parents to state in 200 words or less why their child would make a good candidate and it allows you to provide any additional information that you choose to share. I don't want them to think that I'm trying to make them feel sorry for him or anything, but I know if they'd meet with him and give him a chance, they'd be impressed, especially if they can overlook his bluntness. I'm not good at writing (takes me forever to type something coherent, even though my brain knows what I want to say, I can't get it typed properly without going over and over it), so I think I will just come up with the main points I'd like for them to know and see if my brother can polish it up. I'm that way in person too, and occasionally can't speak much at all, so I don't want to ruin it for him. Thankfully, he doesn't have that problem.

What they told you is incorrect. They may believe it, but it is incorrect. An AS diagnosis is an automatic qualifier for both in most states. What it does not guarantee is that anything will actually be offered in the documents, but they have to meet with you and create them. In a public school, anyway.

Plus, the IEP/504 is a private document that guarantees him certain rights - you have a certain amount of control on how they are shared. If he's struggling with executive function, it can PREVENT them from labeling him something like "lazy," or "bright, but doesn't apply himself." Sounds like you have very understanding teachers and support - but these laws protect you when he gets that one @$$-hole teacher that everybody eventually gets.

We recently have come to realize, after all our past concerns about labels: a diagnostic label is considerably better than a mean label. Better for DS to call himself Aspergers than crazy.

I would venture to say there are quite a few children at the school with an ASD. ASD people often make great math and science professionals. The black and white, yet oddly creative thinking, works well in fields such as engineering. I would bet that there are many children with the same personality and traits (AS or not) as your child. I know there are tons of children with an ASD at the Center for Gifted that my son attends 2x a year. The conversation shouldn't be all about your son's 'disability', it should be all about him. There is no reason to bring it up except in the medical section.

I have also heard that Elgin Academy is a very good school to consider, although I think that one is private, not sure.

I would love to know how this turned out. My husband and I are actually both members of the first graduating class from IMSA. We are both on the spectrum (we were both diagnosed as adults). The school has changed greatly since we were students there. It was very difficult, but we both made it through. I wish I had known then about my ADHD and Asperger's. It would have made it easier to understand why some things were so hard.

If there is anyone who is still considering IMSA, feel free to contact me. As an alum, I can help with connections at the school.