Learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD, despite being incredibly common amongst American children, can be frustrating. For a bright, motivated student who has fallen behind academically, learning guilt can cause a sharp decline in self-esteem and an increase in co-morbidities, including depression, anxiety, speech and language problems, and behavioral issues.

While dyslexic students and those with ADD symptoms benefit from a variety of academic accommodations, from individualized education plans (IEPs) to voice-to-print technology, the most important advantage that students with learning differences have is early intervention.

Just as one cannot expect their primary care physician to be the expert in their child’s symptoms of dyslexia or ADHD, one cannot expect a teacher with no professional training in these specific conditions to help your child succeed. Only special education schools, such as Lake Michigan Academy, employ educators with adequate training.

Alternatives are Available

While IEPs serve an excellent purpose for many students in traditional schools, not every student with dyslexia and ADHD will thrive in this hectic, fast-paced environment where student-teacher ratios are increasingly high.

On the other hand, alternative schools for students with learning differences are often a saving grace for students who are overwhelmed and falling behind in a traditional classroom.

With smaller student-teacher ratios, creative approaches to teaching, and an emphasis on individual empowerment, dyslexic students and those with ADHD thrive in schools such as our Lake Michigan Academy.

Staff Sensitivity and Greater Understanding

In special education schools, staff are equipped to manage symptoms of dyslexia, ADHD, and other common co-morbidities, such as oppositional defiance and behavioral issues, that might otherwise be disruptive in a typical classroom.

With patience, compassion, and understanding, educators help students stay on track and learn at a flexible pace while also keeping them fixated on the goal at the end of the road: achieving their high school diploma and attending post-secondary education, if they so desire.

Lake Michigan Academy’s mission is to provide differentiated instruction for each individual student, and with small class sizes and evidence-based teaching strategies, we are proud that our small, core team of educators provide a warm and welcoming environment in which to learn.