OUr daughter went to a private school for a year. There were some positive things, but also some negative. One of the major issues I had is that as you said, because its a private school, they are not accountable to anyone. The director of the school was the boss, and no matter what the teachers, who actually worked with your child said, her way was the only way. She was a self professing psychologist as well, and was always trying to push a supplement of some sort on you. I felt like the more money you donated to the school, and the more you paid in for private therapy ( through her), the better care and attention your kid got. Her teachers were good-and that is why I stayed out the year, but now our daughter is in a public school-in kindergarten, and doing very well. She is an a special ed classroom, but is doing all the work of the mainstreamed kindergarten. Honestly, private schools are businesses. They are for profit. The director is a great sales woman-when I toured the school, I fell for the sales pitch. It sounds like you have a good plan in place..wish you the best with it :)

I had my son in a private school for a short time. I pulled him out because they lacked understanding of his needs. The principal even had the nerve to attack my parenting! Like I had done something wrong to make my child 'different'. He is in public school and has an IEP. It's not perfect, but they are always willing to make changes as needed. Chris is regular ed but his school does have a specific program for children with Autism. He's not in that class but they are an excellent resource and his IEP have consulted them any times. As time has gone on, and the educators at the school have grown to know me and my child more, things have gotten even better.

Your child has a legal right to receive accommodations and services specific to his/her needs. Sometimes you have to show them that you are willing to fight for them. Very early on, his school was holding up their end of the deal and I went on an email writing campaign which I sent to the State Board of Special Education, Autism Speaks, and a few other resources I found who were advocates for children of Autism. Well, needless to say, I've had no trouble sense then. lol When they got a call from the head of the State Board of Special Education, they stood up and paid attention!

Was the school aware of his diagnosis? I only ask b/c a lot parents do not always reveal their child's diagnosis & then something happens. Not all schools are trained to deal with children w special needs.
My son was in a Public School & did very well until he was 12. He started being disruptive by laughing out loud,& singing out loud. This was all of a sudden, clearly something changed we just cldn't figure it out.
They brought in a behavioral therapist & he cldn't figure it out.
I went to school to see if i cld figure it out. My thoughts we're that he was over stimulated b/c the behaviors wld happen during 10mins before the bell wld ring.
The teachers tried to put him in a different room, but it didn't work.
I made the decision to take him out of the school & put him in The Jessie Kaplan school. That was the best decision I've ever made.
If you have a service coordinator... that person will help you & give you a list of schools for your child.
Good luck in your search.

My child's private school was aware as well. In fact, I made sure, prior to enrolling him, that they were fully aware. He even got pulled by the school district for his special services so there is NO WAY they could have not known.

Thank you @KathleanConner! Yes! That's exactly what this "co-founder" of the school told me too! She's not even a teacher!! She was a real estate agent before that! And she questioned my parenting too.. Amazing! then they broke their own rules, I called them on it, and she said, oh, well, we had that meeting.. On our books we had it.. It doesn't matter what you say... There should be a law against this! And as long as people keep quiet and support such impostor schools the problem will perpetuate, money will be pulled away from the public system which is regulated and at least tries to help! It's a vicious circle! It needs to stop!