The Best of Autism Education
As described by a parent
Please read the social media post below to read a parent describe what the best of education for autistic students looks like.
Brea and I looked forward to seeing Claire every week. We started a year ago leading to my being on the board.
It is great to part of a community that totally gets how to support autistic 4-12 graders.
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Five years ago, our family made a difficult decision.
We left a place we loved and moved across the state because we believed Claire needed something different. We weren't looking for an easier path. We were looking for the right one.
Last weekend, Claire graduated from high school.
Looking back, finding Lionheart Academy was one of the greatest blessings our family has ever received.
Lionheart wasn't just a school. It was an island of refuge in a fast sea.
At Lionheart, they don't start by asking, "What rule applies?" They start by asking, "What does this child need?" They see the person before they see the diagnosis. They create a place where students belong, where they are accepted, celebrated, challenged, encouraged, and loved for exactly who they are.
What has always amazed me is the culture. The students genuinely care about one another. They celebrate each other's victories. They form friendships and bonds that are real and meaningful. It is a community built on dignity, kindness, and love.
Claire received the best education she could have received—not because it focused only on academics, but because it focused on helping her become herself.
A special thank you to Dr. Jessica Bramer Owens and Dr. Rosemary Adams. Thank you for loving Claire, accepting her, challenging her, encouraging her, and taking the time to truly know her. Thank you for seeing what we've always seen—that she is an amazing young woman with gifts, talents, humor, personality, and so much to offer the world.
Thank you also for supporting Jackie and me throughout this journey. There were difficult days along the way, and your guidance, encouragement, and friendship meant more than you'll ever
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She has persevered. She has grown. She has overcome challenges most people will never fully understand. And through it all, she has remained uniquely and wonderfully herself.
Congratulations, Claire.