Alex J.
Alex has always done well in school. He has always been well behaved. He followed the rules and he was a favorite of all his teachers. Each time we got feedback from teachers, either in report cards or in person we heard what a wonderful child he is, how nice he is, and what a pleasure he is to have in class. Various accommodations were made in public schools to help Alex navigate, given his attention problems, and sensory issues. Our search for a new learning experience came when we realized that although Alex was continually listed on the honor roll he was 3-4 years behind his peers in math and writing skills. The accommodations for our wonderful child had completely backfired and were now holding him back academically, and socially.
As so many other parents have experienced, our search for the right environment for Alex involved a difficult, frustrating and often heartbreaking search. When we found LCA, we were cautiously optimistic. We were unsure what to expect but we knew that Alex deserved better, and we knew that he could achieve so much more. We decided to give LCA a try.
Alex has been at LCA for only 7 short months but already we can see some of his potential starting to shine. He has always been a strong reader, but he was never able to do any schoolwork independently. In the past he always needed someone right next to him, helping him for every step. When provided, that type of assistance actually made matters worse. Alex seemed to be excelling at schoolwork when he was actually unable to function on his own. This is how he came to be so far behind while getting almost all A’s in public school. This year at LCA, we have seen true growth in academics, especially in math and writing skills. Alex’s teachers have come up with strategies to help him with his attention struggles, which makes it possible for him to do the math that is presented to him. They also work to draw him out, getting him to communicate his thoughts verbally so he can begin to communicate effectively through writing. Now, not only can he sit down by himself at night to do homework, he is also responsible for remembering to do it himself. The individual attention available to each child at LCA is invaluable. This attention is what has afforded Alex his growth this year. This individual attention is highlighted by the daily home-school communication forms that come home with Alex every day. Never again will we be surprised by our son being left far behind his peers while we only hear great things about him in report cards. We hear details every day about how Alex is doing, what he is struggling with, and what is being done about it. There are even suggestions about what to practice at home.
In addition to academic growth, the emphasis LCA puts on social experiences has also made a huge difference in our son. He is more comfortable in social situations than he ever has been, and is actually beginning to become proactive in social situations. Alex has had other socialization training, but in the past it has been all about the mechanics of communication. Now, Alex has begun to understand why he needs to be able to communicate. The approach that LCA has taken on this topic is exactly what Alex needed to start to make sense of the world around him.
We have always believed that Alex is as wonderful as his previous teachers told us that he was. Now, with the help of LCA, our family has found a path to lead us to the wonderful, independent, and successful adult that we have always dreamed he could be.
Mike and Laura