| For 25 years, The Parish School has changed the lives of hundreds of children in our community. Recognizing that young children with communication and language-learning differences needed an academic setting that addressed their individual learning styles, Robbin Parish, M.A., CCC-SLP, founded The Parish School. In 1983, when the doors to the school first opened, four children were enrolled. Today there are 142 students with developmental capabilities from 18 months through the fifth grade enrolled at the school.
The Parish School offers a totally unique early intervention program. We give young children guidance when they need it most – before their learning difference becomes a roadblock to their success. The Parish School teachers prepare individual education/treatment plans for each child, focusing on the student’s strengths and learning styles to teach specific compensatory skills. The Parish School creates a positive, nurturing environment where children develop effective, lifelong communication, learning, and problem-solving skills.
Communication and learning differences affect over 20% of the population. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, this amounts to over 56,000 children in the Houston Metropolitan Area. These differences have no socioeconomic boundaries. Most often, children are diagnosed with a general "speech problem." While many professionals comfort parents by saying that their child will outgrow their difficulties, research shows that children with communication difficulties have a greater rate of failure when learning to read, write, and spell.
Our student population comes from all over the Houston area. These children possess average to above average learning capabilities. The Parish School programs and curriculum are designed to educate children through the process of learning to read. The transition from learning to read to reading to learn occurs between the third and fourth grades. Intervening during these crucial years can mean the difference between a child who is eager to learn vs. a child who is stressed by the thought of attending school.
Too many children with language-learning differences are living lives of frustration. The inability to express verbally their thoughts, needs, and wants causes learning and social challenges in “normal” life situations and in “traditional” classrooms. Language-learning differences can be rehabilitated with early identification, careful diagnosis, and the appropriate learning tools. These children can succeed in regular classrooms and in life, if they are taught learning skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills. The Parish School changes the lives of children with language and learning differences every day.
Donations for the 2010 season can be made beginning July 17, 2009 |
