he will remain how he is.
But if you treat him as if he were
what he ought to be and could be,
he will become what he ought to be
and could be."
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749-1832
Our Mission
To provide comprehensive
educational support in a
nurturing environment so that
children with learning differences
are able to gain knowledge
and develop skills while satisfying
their natural curiosity,
helping them to perform and
participate to the best of their ability.
Robbie is a handsome, healthy, active two-year-old with big beautiful eyes. His parents love him but are beginning to wonder why he seems so different from his older sister. Although he repeats certain words he hears over and over, he doesn’t really talk in any meaningful way. He spends most of his time by himself playing with a few favorite toys. He doesn’t seem to notice if anyone else is around, nor does he seem to care.
He sometimes rocks back and forth or uses strange gestures or movements repeatedly and seems distracted by some unknown force within himself. He never looks anyone directly in the eye and seems to be off in his own private world. If his routine is changed in any small way, he has begun to exhibit tantrum-like behavior which far exceeds the intensity of the “terrible twos” his parents hoped could serve as an excuse. Sometimes it seems as if he doesn’t hear at all.
After consulting with the family doctor, Robbie is professionally evaluated by behavioral specialists Their conclusion is that Robbie has some form of autism. As disturbing as this is for his parents to accept, by getting an early diagnosis and beginning treatment, Robbie will have the best chance to grow and develop to the best of his abilities. His parents take comfort in the knowledge that they aren’t alone and that Robbie and the whole family will be getting the help they need.
How We Can Help
Extensive research has shown that children exhibiting symptoms of autism who receive early and intensive education reinforcing appropriate behavior have significant gains in cognitive, communication, and social skills.
Our goal is to help every child achieve the highest level of independence possible and to teach the skills needed to function successfully in life.
Our intensive program is individualized to meet the needs of each unique child. We offer intervention using discrete trial instruction, verbal behavior strategies, and incidental teaching opportunities. Our goal for every child includes the development, generalization and maintenance of social skills, speech and language, cognition, and daily living skills. Our services are available in the home, in schools and and within the community.
Teaching the Child with Autism or Other Related Disorders
What is Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)?
What is Incidental Teaching?
Shadowing within Mainstream School and Community Environments
The Benefits of Social Skills Groups
Symptoms of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder
For help with your child’s ability to communicate, understand language, play, and relate to others, contact:
Shades of Learning LLC
646-530-1468
info@shadesoflearning.com
Copyright 2010 Shades Of Learning LLC
The information provided on this website is partially made possible through the Academy for Educational Development AED and the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education (OSEP). For further information about disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation's special education law; No Child Left Behind, the nation's general education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities, contact NICHCY, 1825 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20009
Shades of Learning is a full service agency for students/parents/school districts in the states of New York and Connecticut providing psychological/educational evaluations, teaching/advocacy/training for children with Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, emotional disabilities, developmental disabilities, and learning differences, using Board Certified Behavior Analysts, therapists, tutors, shadows/mainstreaming, social skills group, discrete trial/verbal behavior/incidental programming to assist parents, families and siblings to cope with associated life issues.