We receive many heartfelt letters and stories from families whose son or daughter has successfully transitioned from one of our school programs. They highlight the positive impact these programs have on individual lives. We invite you to explore these success stories, as they reflect the growth, resilience, and achievements of our students.
A Letter from the Dufour Family
Jared Dufour came to Sargent at the age of six, diagnosed with apraxia, a neurological disorder that impacted his speech. When he began at Sargent, Jared was non-verbal and had limited academic skills. Jared's team of therapists at Sargent included two speech-language pathologists, occupational therapist, special education teacher, social worker and case manager.
Jared's speech team worked in harmony with all school personnel to assist Jared. While one speech therapist focused on teaching Jared to communicate with an augmentative device, the other concentrated on helping Jared improve his speech. Jared learned vocabulary and language structure utilizing his augmentative device. He also learned to break each speech sound down to its simplest form and then to build words and phrases. Jared's speech team utilized specialized techniques and programs that focused on literacy and motor speech. As his speech and written language improved, his augmentative device was phased out gradually.
Jared's occupational therapist, teacher and social worker were working collaboratively with his speech team to improve his visual perception, fine motor planning, sensory regulation, and language processing skills. Jared had a high intensity level of intervention from his team at Sargent and his family provided daily follow up training at home as well.
As a result of Sargent Center's interdisciplinary team approach and specialized expertise and with Jared's own determination, he has had success! Now in his community school, Jared will continue to work on both his language and his processing.
We wish him continued success!
Former Sargent Student Overcomes a Traumatic Brain Injury
McKenna was just a few weeks into the eighth grade when she was hit by a landscaping truck while biking to school, changing her life forever.
"Our family’s involvement with Sargent has been nothing short of wonderful in every way. Parents with neuro-atypical children face challenges unknown to the general population and we experienced some difficulty finding the right fit for our son Patrick. This odyssey started with attempts to home school and included multiple therapists, hospitalizations, and another therapeutic school that just wasn’t what he needed. It’s therefore gratifying and validating to be able to send him to a place that is both familiar with these challenges and welcoming while conveying a genuine sense of caring for Patrick. Sargent demonstrates kindness, compassion, flexibility and great understanding in engaging with neuro-atypical students. Their programs are sufficiently broad and accommodating to deal with a wide range of issues since no two children are the same. Yet they’re focused on giving students what they need including willingly challenging Patrick academically within the constraints imposed by his mental illness. Sargent also works hard to bring the world into the school while getting students out into the community. They do this by hosting visits from the Providence Bruins and New England Revolution, bringing in karate instructors, getting the kids to the gym, taking them sailing in the summer, and many other activities (it seems like every week during the summer, Patrick is coming home with the story of something new and fun). Overall, we’re very happy our school district recommended Sargent (the interaction between district and Sargent has been seamless from our perspective). We couldn’t be more satisfied with our family’s experience with this great institution and its committed and dedicated faculty and staff."
"Our son’s experience at Sargent has been integrative, coordinated, and motivating for his unique learning style. The kind of support he receives was not possible in other places. What makes the Sargent Center unique is how the team approaches complex learners-making a progressive academic program accessible— and attainable!"
"My son truly loves going to school. He smiles ear to ear as soon as we pull into Sargent's parking lot. His classroom team and his therapists have done an amazing job!"
"My daughter was a non-verbal child when she started at Sargent. Now with the help of Sargent Center staff, she is able to communicate. How grateful we are to hear our daughter's voice."
"When our son started at Sargent, he could barely talk. He has since formed many lasting friendships and has come a long way. Sargent Center has worked miracles on our son."