I first met Adom when he was in first grade—a strikingly handsome little boy with a serious face. While he was mostly developing typically, it was his challenges with social cues that brought him to my attention, and ultimately gave me the privilege of working with him. He began to frighten his peers because he […]
Author: Patty
When Learning Barriers Meet Faith, Support, and Persistence
Every child’s learning journey is unique—and faith-filled encouragement and targeted support can make a lasting difference. Faith and hard work netting success For several years, I worked at the school connected to my church. It was a genuine privilege. One particular year stands out to me even now—because of the students, the challenges they faced, […]
Audrey ~ an emotional struggle that blocked learning
Audrey, meaning noble strength, was a fourth grader that year. Audrey had an emotional, anxiety struggle that was a barrier to learning. Her parents were fighting frequently and she feared a possible divorce. She had frequent tummy aches during the school day. Her teacher learned to let her come visit me when it hurt. Somehow […]
Eliana’s Story: Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities: Hope, Faith, and Practical Strategies
Eliana’s success story shows how unique learning styles can be a gift. See how special education consulting helps students thrive. Eliana was a freshman in high school when I first met her. She was a diligent student who worked hard, but despite her best efforts, she was struggling to make passing grades. Her mom brought […]
The Students I Have Known…
My favorite people! I am a teacher. I have been very fortunate—not to teach a large number of classes, but to teach a large number of special students. This distinction matters. Though I cannot use real names or photos unless I have explicit permission, each of these stories represents someone real. If you recognize yourself, […]
Sensory Strategies for Impulsive Kids: Walking With Alina
Sensory Strategies for Impulsive Kids: Walking With Alina Helping Children With Autism Manage Impulses: Alina’s Story Parenting a child with special needs can feel overwhelming—especially when impulsive behaviors and sensory struggles are part of daily life. Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside a young woman I’ll call Alina, whose […]
Azim: Perseverance in the Face of Great Odds A story of faith, determination, and surprising progress in a student with fetal alcohol syndrome
When Azim enrolled at our private Christian school as a sophomore, his intake paperwork hadn’t yet arrived. It wasn’t until after his family had already completed admissions that I discovered he was reading at a kindergarten level. Had I known that beforehand, he wouldn’t have been admitted. But what a blessed mistake that was. A […]
Planning Ahead for Special Needs Care: Wisdom from a Friend
Every child has needs in a family with disabilities. Learn from Sonja’s story why early planning and intentional love matter for the whole family. Sonja was a dear friend for a season. I am deeply grateful for her wisdom, but also for the peace she carried. To spend time with her was to feel the […]
Down Syndrome ~ A Delightful Variety of Warmth
A delightful student was Abernathy Sweet! Abernathy was a child in a preschool in which I served as a volunteer. Abernathy was born with Down Syndrome, and was assumed to have a significant developmental delay, but was generally defying those expectations – particularly when it came to physical development. Abernathy was able to kick and […]
Let Them Fly: Rethinking Socialization in Homeschooling
Why homeschooling parents don’t need to fear “missing out” on school socialization—and how love, faith, and structure can support even the most vulnerable learners. If you put your children in public school, you might think they’re being socialized—but that’s not what’s happening. More often than not, they’re being systematically taught to fear. They sit beside […]