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About WMLC >>Endorsements
 

Quotes from Professionals (Spring 2008)

"Our district's students, staff, and families have benefited from the knowledge and expertise provided by staff from West Metro Learning Connections.  Their collegial approach makes working with each of them a rewarding professional experience."--Director of Special Ed., Public School District

"I have greatly appreciated their reinforcement of IEP goals!"--ASD Teacher, Public School District

"WMLC is a unique and valuable agency through which young people benefit from expert services and caring adults.  A respectful, creative and collaborative approach allows for partnerships with schools, families and other agencies.. (they) take on the challenges necessary to facilitate and celebrate the contributions of every individual.  Thank you, West Metro Learning Connections!"--Director of Student Services, Public School District

"Evaluations were complete and well-written.  Explanations of different tests were described to parents in parent-friendly language.  When Ms. Schipper needed to tell a family that their child had Autism, it was done with grace."--Special Ed. Teacher, Public School District

"The services supplied by West Metro Learning Connections were done with a high level of professionalism and care."--Director, Charter School

"The best thing about WMLC is that they see each child as a person, as a unique individual who has strengths and struggles.  They value each person as someone very special.  WMLC combines a depth of knowledge of autism, insight into each client, and practical and effective strategies."--Occupational Therapist, Public School District

"Deb Schipper has been a wonderful resource and has worked with our team on some very specific strategies for individual planning.  West Metro has provided wonderful services for students that needed alternative options for their learning.  I have learned a lot as an educator from Deb and value her opinion greatly."--Special Ed Teacher, Public School District


Quotes from Parents (Spring 2005)



“Brady loves to come to WMLC.  He loves his classes and the people at WMLC. Thank you!!”
-Michelle Lass

"What a difference WMLC has made in my children's lives! They beg to come to social skills each week and really enjoy the camaraderie and the friendships they have made! "
 - Andrea Madson  

“It is comforting to know that there is a place that my son can attend that allows him to try new things and meet new people in an environment that will not ridicule him, but will help him grow and cope in social situations”
–current West Metro parent

"WMLC is the only resource we have found, outside the school district that truly addresses our daughter's most critical need: learning the art of social interactions."
-Susan Kent

“Thanks for all your work with Josh- - he LOVES Friendship Group. It’s one of the few ‘real, live’ people things in life he expresses excitement and enthusiasm for.”
-Mary Selvig

“It has changed his life. He went from a total disaster to a very confident happy child.”
-current West Metro parent

"My son is going to live independent of support when he is ready to do so. For this I thank WMLC for their positive attitudes when working with the social deficits my son has to face. His future is brighter as are his days now as he understands with increasing amounts of self-confidence."
-Karla Stenson

Letter from a Parent

My West Metro Learning Connections Story                                                                         March 14, 2005

It's a place to go to, to be accepted and supported. I believe that any parent who has a child with special needs hopes these things for their child. At West Metro my child has gotten this, and as a bonus, I have too.

My son, Jack, is 9 ½ and was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 ½. That day will remain in my mind like it happened yesterday, and of course, changed our lives forever. We immediately were thrown into a whole other world of constant telephone calls, doctor appointments (of many varieties), therapist appointments (of many varieties), assessments, support groups, and special schools. We met people we never thought we'd have to meet, and we learned things we never thought we'd have to learn. In countless ways our lives are better for it, as Jack has taught us things beyond what we thought we would be taught by our own child. He's my guardian angel and I'm convinced I was born to take care of him. And to seek out others to teach him things that I cannot (it take a village). And at the same time it has challenged us more than I ever thought my mind and body could be challenged.

Our journey with West Metro began last spring when I was researching summer programs for Jack. We had always had wonderful summer help, but I thought it was time for Jack to do something else besides his usual summer school routine. I fell upon West Metro and couldn't believe the programs they had for children with Autism ("Catching On To Getting Along", "Emotions", and different levels!), and wondered why I hadn't heard of them before. When I mentioned them to our contact at our health care provider, she raved about them and said that she had other clients that went there and that Deb was wonderful. I remember thinking and asking Deb when I first spoke with her, "Is Jack appropriate for these programs? He's not Asperger's, but Autistic, and will need more 1:1 attention than perhaps some of the other kids." They were fully open to the idea of having Jack's summer PCA stay with him at camp last summer, and this fall, when Jack began a social skills class and therapeutic recreation, they started him out slow, 1:1, with the staff there, since I didn't have my summer PCA anymore. He quickly bonded with Deb (to this day, he walks in and asks where Deb is) and other staff, and now is in classes with other children. Even though every day is a challenge for him, with all of his anxiety and sensory needs, he's made good progress, and is a good friend.

My heart never felt so full when one night last fall during a social skills play time, I saw Jack catching and throwing a ball back and forth to a staff person. It may not sound like a big deal, but with his fine and gross motor skills being off, that's all I needed to see to make it all worthwhile. If that's all he learned how to do, that would be enough. And to see him holding hands in a circle, smiling, swinging his arms back and forth, and belting out the friendship song at the end of each class, makes me smile and so proud of him. And to hear him ask a friend, "How was your day?" is amazing. It's the little things.

I so look forward to going there each week and miss it when I don't. It's my down time and Jack's play time. You're always greeted with a friendly smile and hello. There aren't many places to bring children on the spectrum for social skills classes or friendship groups (Fraser perhaps), and I drive the 30-45 minutes 2 times a week to get Jack there. Jack does have social skill time at school, but this supplements that and brings him into the community as well. It's a place for him to be himself, be accepted, and learn. And it's okay if he has a bad day.

Recently our family has been going through a lot because Jack has had to go into a crisis home for 45 days because of some new aggressive behaviors he's been having at home. The support from West Metro staff has been incredible. They almost become a part of your extended family. I see Jack continuing with their programs for a very long time.

Bobbi Kady