Caroline finished up her time at Langsford this week. All I can say is WOW!!! In a matter of four months she has gone from a reluctant reader to a lover of reading. She would never have picked up a book to read before now she reads all day long!!
Below is the letter I wrote for Langsford describing our experience:
“When I start reading I don’t want to stop, I LOVE TO READ!!!”
This is what I always wanted to hear Caroline say, now that she has come to Langsford I hear that all the time.
Being a home school mom I was really concerned about Caroline’s reading and spelling for a very long time. One thing that you usually hear from other homeschooling moms is, “Kids learn at their own pace. Don’t push her she’ll get it.” That is true for some, but once your child is nine she should be reading. We had tried different programs for her, but those take so long to get through it could have taken us years. We didn’t have years. She was already so far behind.
The situation had begun to affect Caroline in the other areas of her academics: math, science, etc.; socially she was having trouble socializing with girls her own age in a group; and she had developed a facial tic. That was it. Once it started to affect just everyday life for her something had to be done. I have a nephew and niece who had both come to Langsford years before and decided it was time to admit I couldn’t do it myself so I contacted them. Stephen called one evening and answered all my questions and helped me see that things could get better!!! I set up her evaluation right away and we got started.
She was diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disability. We decided, with the recommendations of Langsford staff that she need to come for 110 hours, five days a week for two hours a day. We started the end of November and by the middle of December her facial tic was gone and she was a little more comfortable socializing with other girls. Honestly that meant more to me at the time because that was where I saw her saddest. Now she is at the end of her 110 hours and she is doing great. She started at a low 2nd grade reading level and I think she is now a high third grade. She will read on her own. Today she can read an American Girl book by herself and she has no trouble reading it and comprehending it. That was my goal for her; thanks to all of Caroline’s hard work and the techniques at Langsford she has met it!!! She has succeeded!!!!
I would recommend Langsford to anyone. Everyone is so helpful, understanding and special. Caroline fell in love with everyone and will miss them greatly. She is excited to work harder and continue to improve. I have never seen her so enthusiastic about learning before. This is a new beginning for us and we are excited to get started.
You cannot imagine how happy I am with the experience we have had at Langsford. I can only say it was an answer to prayer!!!
On my desktop I had a note that said, “Lift up Caroline." Well, I did and God has graciously answered our prayers. BTW the note is gone, yes I continue to lift up Caroline and the other Children, but not seeing the note is a reminder that God answers prayers!!!
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
