Thank you,

     Everything you have done for Samuel has meant so much.  We will never forget it.  I know this was the best experience Samuel ever had.  He has grown so much.  He could have never done it without you all.  Thank you is not enough.

                                           -Lynn

I can say my child, who had lost his very limited language, tried to talk his 1st day at Rivendale and by day 5 he was repeating words.  I can say by 6 weeks he was potty trained, and by 8 weeks he was saying his alphebet.  Enrolling my child at Rivendale was the best decision I have ever made.  Without the intensity of the program and the quality of the dedicated staff I would have lost my son.  Now, my son is 5 years old and says I love you. 

                                             -Elizabeth

My daughter Evelyn began attending Rivendale Institute of Learning just one week ago and already the transformation is amazing.  Evelyn has severe learning and developmental disabilities as well as epilepsy and a brain malformation and she has always struggled to fit in.  She was so nervous to begin classes at Rivendale, after all, she had been attending the same public school since kindergarten and had virtually no friends her age.  Occasionally, Evelyn would have a seizure in class and lose control of her bladder or bowels in front of the other students.  She would always be embarrassed because she wouldn't recall what had happened or why, and sadly, that didn't keep the kids from teasing her non stop.  As adults we understand that she can't help it, but children do not understand so they would just tell her that she could not be their friend.

What a difference a day makes!!!  Following Evelyn's first day at Rivendale, she came home a different child.  No longer was she quiet, tearful, and withdrawn, but she is laughing, playing with her siblings, singing, dancing, and she even joined us for dinner at the table as a family, which she hasn't done for months.  She could not wait for day two, which was just as wonderful.  She began telling me about her new best friend.  ...She said that "I like everyone in my class, we are all friends.  You know what, mom? We are all very unique individuals."  I was so moved by that, Thank you Rivendale for transforming my public school "ugly duckling" into a beautiful swan.  I just keep saying over and over to myself, "And just think...this is only week one!"

                                         -Brandy

Rivendale provides many great things, but the one I am most thankful for is the safe and nurturing atmosphere they have wrapped around my child.  I believe, because she has been encouraged, appropriately directed, and valued rather than scorned or ignored, that she is closer to her true self.  I believe that I get to see more of the person she was meant to be, rather than a child shaped by bullying, or isolation.  And that is a very great treasure for both her and me!

                                            -Kristin  

                                           September 12, 2007

                                -Daughter: Schyler (Age 14)

                                Years at Rivendale: 7+

Last year we found out our son has Autism.  At first, we placed him in a public educational setting, but we saw little progress.  Our hearts-in- hand, we found Rivendale and the happy ending we were looking for.  My son has been at Rivendale for 6 months now, and in that time we have seen amazing progress.

                                      -Melissa, mother of Ben

Samuel was not being properly served by our local public school and we weren't finding appropriate options. Thank goodness we found Rivendale where we know his educational and social needs are being met via an intense, tailor-made curriculum just for Sam! The staff is very warm, enthusiastic and dedicated. Having our child enrolled at Rivendale has been a source of reassurance for our whole family.

                       -Rachel, mother of Samuel (age 5)