Last weekend I saw a mom and her two little boys at the counter of an ice cream shop trying to decide what flavor to choose. And there were so many choices! The little guys were so excited!
It made me think about a breakthrough that one of our students had a few years ago. She was 11-years old and had never, ever chosen any kind of ice cream other than vanilla when her family went to Baskin Robbins, which they liked to do. She was on the Autism spectrum and very afraid to branch out and try anything new. One day, her mom came into the Learning Center, ecstatic, saying that her daughter had chosen chocolate ice cream on the family’s weekend trip to the ice cream shop!
One of the things that we see with our students, regardless of the type of challenge, it that as we work to help them develop more consistent and stronger underlying learning/processing skills, they become more secure, confident, and mentally flexible. Being able to process information more quickly and accurately frees them to understand and accept change more easily.
April is Autism Awareness Month so let’s talk a little bit about autism…or not. As a dear friend and mentor once told me, “We’re teaching kids – not labels – kids.” And here’s what we know: Every child with autism is unique, and as with any other learning or attention challenge, the stronger the underlying skills are, the stronger higher-level learning and functioning can become.
I am so proud of all of our students for their hard work each and every session. Wherever they are in their process, I see them moving forward, improving their skills, and getting a little more independent each day.
As parents and educators, we need to notice and value each step forward, whether small or large. Choosing a different flavor of ice cream may feel like a little triumph, but it is a big step towards functioning more comfortably in the world.
So congratulations, SLC Students for going after the challenges and changing your future for the better! We think you’re fantastic!
If you have a child who is struggling with learning or attention challenges, we can help.
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“Helping smart but struggling students dramatically improve or completely correct their learning and attention challenges by developing the underlying learning skills that are not supporting the learner well enough.”
We serve children and adults with diagnosed or undiagnosed learning and attention challenges including learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.
Jill Stowell, M.S.
#1 Best-Selling Author: At Wit’s End A Parent’s Guide to Ending the Struggle, Tears, and Turmoil of Learning Disabilities
Founder and Executive Director – Stowell Learning Centers
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