Montessori better for SPD children?

I am wondering if anyone has found if the Montessori style of teaching is better than regular public school setting for children with SPD?




Any experiences and insight would be most helpful. Thanks.



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Apr 02, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Each Montesorri school is different
by: Anonymous

My son is going through the process of getting tested for auditory processing disorder. He is showing al the telltale signs of the disorder. He is going to a Montessori school. His first grade teacher ignored him completely and he did not learn anything last year. That teacher is no longer with the school.

Currently he is in second grade. His teacher has ADHD. He is quite sympathetic to my son. He went from reading at a preschool level to almost fluent in a year. He is excelling in
science and history. The teacher said he would probably not do well on the third grade test next year. However they are not showing any signs they will kick him out.

The disadvantage is that I have to drive to the local public school for his speech language therapist and audiologist appointments. I would say it depends on the Montessori school and how much time you are willing to invest.
May 09, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		No Montessori
by: Anonymous

My son was on the verge of being put in an alternative public school for his behavior with SPD, SID, ADHD. I transferred to a Montessori school instead. Big mistake. 3 days in and he has been kicked out. They said they are not equipped to handle special needs children.
Oct 07, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Montessori helped us... at first
by: Anonymous

Hi!
I am certainly no expert here; my first grade son has only been recently diagnosed. We believe in the Montessori philosophy as a parenting style and not just for school. Our house was a "prepared environment" from day one. No crib, baby on the floor nearly all the time. The calm house, the carefully selected toys (beautiful wood things, no loud light-up stuff) and the predictable schedule seemed to keep our fussy, intense child calm. Certainly all that fine motor practice helped as did giving him the opportunity for all that feedback from being on the floor.

Fast forward a few years. My son went to public school as planned after his years in the Montessori nursery. Holy cow! Kindergarten was SUCH a struggle. Too much of everything! G just could not adjust. At first it was thought he lacked "internal control" regarding his behavior and choices. Of course, that translates into it being my fault for providing "external control". It's always the mother's fault, right??!?

We gave it the year and nothing improved. Over the summer he was evaluated and diagnosed with SPD. Things are improving with OT and support in the classroom. So in my opinion, Montessori provided G with a terrific start and an opportunity to learn in a sensory environment he could manage. However, it probably delayed his diagnosis.
Jun 12, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		NOT better at all
by: Anonymous

so true, we had our child kicked out of Montessori for SPD. I do not suggest it.
Mar 23, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Montessori and my sensory seeker
by: Julia

I was a Montessori kid through 4th grade, so my lifelong dream was to have all my kids in Montessori school as long as I could afford it. I had my boy/girl twins there from age 2 and a half. At age (nearly) 4, my son was asked to leave. His sensory seeking was requiring one-on-one teacher intervention, which doesn't work with the Montessori method. The teachers tried really hard with him, but the fact is, private schools have not had to come up with ways to deal with difficult kids because they can kick them out. The public schools (at least around me) have had much more understanding and supports for kids like him, because public school can't kick kids out. They've HAD to come up with ways to help them. It pains me that my kids did not flourish at Montessori, but they're doing so well in the public system now that I can't complain.
Mar 20, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		I have had great public school experience
by: Anonymous

I have had a wonderful public school preschool experience with my child with SPD. The school has her on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and in it has strategies to help with her sensory diet. The school also has an OT in the classroom one day a week doing joint compression and brushing on her. I don't know much about Montessori, but as I said my public school experience has been wonderful and my daughter has made wonderful progress this school year. Good luck with your decision.

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