Nora age 7; Nash age 9
Beth’s now nine-year-old son Nash was diagnosed with autism before age 3. He was verbal, but she described his behaviors as “outrageous.” The public school he was enrolled in at age four was having difficulty managing him, and suggested Beth look at other options. She had no idea where to turn.
Fortunately, her boss knew someone who knew Jill Medley, executive director at The Learning Spectrum. They met, Beth learned about the program, and shortly after she enrolled Nash at TLS Central.
“I’m so glad we did. I’m thrilled — it’s just been life-changing,” Beth said.
TLS taught Nash coping skills, how to manage himself, and allowed him to work through his issues in a small environment. The typical developing students in the classroom gave him someone to model after.
“He got that early intervention, which they say is so key, and I absolutely believe it because they got him to the point where he can manage himself,” Beth said. “He has gained so much confidence from being there.”
Her daughter Nora, now seven, is also on the spectrum and attended TLS beginning at age four. She benefitted as well.
“It taught her those coping skills, so when she gets elevated she knows what she can do about it, “ Beth said, adding that the intimate setting gave Nora the opportunity to really practice it, with the attention that she needed.
For this school year, since both of her children excelled at TLS, Beth felt it was time to look at another setting. But she thought the public school system would be too overwhelming. At Jill’s recommendation, Beth enrolled both children at St. Tim’s in Upper Arlington, where they receive inclusions services from a TLS aide.
“I expected it to be a rough transition, but it has been amazing. My kids were so prepared,” Beth said.
Nash’s behavior is now under control, and has had a great start his third grade school year.
“Nash gets a perfect behavior chart every week. He’s participating. I honestly do not believe he would be there right now if we hadn’t found The Learning Spectrum,” she said.
Nora is now in first grade at St. Tim’s, and her teacher told Beth during a recent parent teacher conference that she never would have known that Nora is on the spectrum. She’s in the highest reading group, she’s in accelerated math, and she’s making friends.
“I want to scream from the rooftops — anyone I know who is struggling — you should try The Learning Spectrum!” Beth said.
Beth said when Nash was enrolled in public school system, they called her several times a day for every behavior he exhibited, which put a stress and strain on their family. She said TLS knows that is typical behavior for a child on the spectrum, and they know how to deal with it.
“My kids are confident now. I think they would have been less confident had they been in a different setting, and didn’t get that intervention and constant reinforcement,” Beth said.
To parents of young children recently diagnosed on the spectrum, Beth says this:
“It’s really important to be willing to look at alternative situations. I wanted Nash to be in as normal a situation as possible, keep him mainstream, in the public schools, and just work through it. I think that it is really important to look at all the other situations, and don’t let your knee-jerk reaction make your decision.”
She added that some people don’t look at all of their options because they think they could never afford it. But there are scholarships and funding available to help.
“It doesn’t need to be a battle every day, “Beth said. “There are places that will work with your kids, so you don’t feel like you are going to war every day.”
For more information about The Learning Spectrum and the programs available contact us at 614-844-5433.