We knew Aidan had problems from the time he was learning to walk. He was a delightful child, appeared to be fairly intelligent, but had obvious issues with balance. This was the first clue to some of Aidan’s future learning difficulties. Over the next several years, during which additional symptoms presented, Aidan was diagnosed with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and along with that came the diagnoses of Sensory Processing Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dysgraphia and Dyslexia, to name just a few.

Learning was a real struggle for Aidan and that developed into many behaviors that were not acceptable at school. I was convinced that if he could learn, the behaviors would lessen and possibly totally go away. Unfortunately, his teachers only saw the behavior that was disrupting their classrooms. They were unable to address the frustrations that were causing the behaviors.

Aidan was passed on from one grade level to next even though he couldn’t read, write or do math at the appropriate grade level. In 3rd grade, concerns were suddenly raised about his being able to pass the ISTEP tests. Of course he would not be able to, since he was not being taught in a way he could learn.

After reading an article about the Fort Wayne Center for Learning and a student that had issues similar to Aidan’s, I called. At this point, anything was worth a try. Aidan was tested and the Center developed a teaching plan to address his specific issues. Scholarship funding made the fees affordable for me. Not trying to help Aidan learn and advance WAS NOT AN OPTION as far as I was concerned. I was going to try anything I could possibly do to help Aidan succeed. The Fort Wayne Center for Learning turned out to be a godsend for Aidan.

He may never be up to grade level in his work, but he is now able to learn much better than ever before. The determination of the instructors who were NOT going to give up on him combined with the one-on-one attention he received, slowly showed Aidan that he can learn. In fact, he made more advances academically (and as a happy bi-product, behaviorally) while at FWCL for a few short months, than he made in four years in the community school.

He no longer misbehaves because he does not understand what he is being asked to do. He has mental tools to help him help himself to do his work. He reads better than he has before and struggles less and less. He is very proud of the fact that he now can do addition, subtraction and will be learning multiplication. He is excited about learning and proud of the stars that come home daily showing how hard he has worked. In the fall, he is looking forward to going to a new school and getting a fresh start.

FWCL not only helps their students improve, they help families improve. Co-workers and church friends have all commented that they can really see a difference in Aidan. He seems so much more mature and confident and he really makes a contribution to his surroundings.

I would recommend the FWCL program to anyone that has a child who needs academic assistance. The instructors not only have the knowledge to teach the child, they care about the children they are teaching. The atmosphere is supportive and encouraging.

I am very grateful to the companies and individuals that support FWCL, so students like Aidan can afford to receive this instruction and can have the opportunity to improve their lives and their futures!

One very happy Grandma