Ben was in fourth grade when he started receiving inclusion services from The Learning Spectrum at his elementary school, St. Brendan Catholic School in Hilliard. Now a senior at Watterson, Ben has his eye on Wright State, where he wants to major in international business. His aides from TLS have been with him through all his transitions.
“It’s been a very positive experience,” said Justine, Ben’s mom.
When Ben was in elementary school, Justine noticed that he was struggling, but there were no signs. Test results determined he had high functioning Asperger’s. She wanted him to stay in the Catholic school system, so she started doing her research of local companies and schools that could help.
“The Learning Spectrum was what I felt attached to,” Justine said. “So when I met with Jill, we moved forward. And we haven’t looked back.”
Mr. Josh was Ben’s first aide at St. Brendan. He was charismatic and accepting, and Ben really took to him. He also arranged special lunches out with Ben and a friend of Ben’s choosing.
“He was always there to direct him socially, keep him on task, but be in the background,” Justine said.
Miss Allison was Ben’s aide when he transitioned into middle school, and she went above and beyond helping him prepare for the state level National Geographic Bee. Mr. Seth, his aide at Watterson, helps him stay on task, redirects social behaviors, and helps him if he doesn’t understand something.
Mr. Seth helps with other social issues, too, like safe use of social media, what’s appropriate to say and what’s not, and how to tell if someone is taking advantage of him, without taking away his good heartedness.
“They are my eyes and ears in the classroom,” Justine said.
Over the years, the aides have helped Ben be a success at school, and also created awareness of students with special needs, offering workshops and helping the teachers. Since most teachers in our inclusion schools aren’t trained in special education, having Intervention Specialists and paraprofessionals with special needs training in the classroom to support and assist is a huge benefit.
When a child is newly diagnosed, Justine advises parents to trust their instincts, and be their child’s advocate.
She was told that Ben would have to go to a special needs school. But he has stayed in the Catholic school system, has his driver’s license, holds down a job, gets good grades, and is going off to college in the fall.
“When you’re told your child is atypical, your dreams for what you thought would be go out the window,” she said. “Trust that the support you need is going to be there. Trust your instincts – if something is not feeling right, it’s probably not. And enjoy your child and enjoy the difference, because there are times when it’s hard. But trust, trust, trust. It does work out, it really does.”
For more information about The Learning Spectrum and the programs available contact us at 614-844-5433.