Patrick's Story
by Patrick's Mom

Patrick has such character and is very creative. The staff recognizes this in Patrick and allows him to maintain this creative attitude. The staff at New Horizon School all communicate about the students so they are all on the same page as to what Patrick needs and how he best responds. With only about 70 students and 10 teachers, every teacher knows everything about every student.

There is a speech pathologist on campus to help those students in need.  There are social coaches to help in socialization. There are plenty of field trips to help the students expand their knowledge base.

The school goes through 12^th grade, so Patrick will not have to transition to a new setting. He will be able to stay at New Horizon and graduate.

To know that your son is safe and in a small protected environment is worth more than words can express. I have a happy son, a glowing and growing son, who has high self esteem and self worth.

If you walk around the campus, you will see that all the students hold their heads up high, have smiles on their faces, and they will make eye contact with you. This is wonderful.

We knew we had to find a private school geared toward children with learning disabilities – but not disabled. Alaska had nothing to offer our son. We had to get Patrick out of a public school where it is too large.  There are too many students and the ratios are too large to give one-on-one to a child needing extra time. The public schools cannot protect a child that is “different” from teasing and bullying, and this scared us.

We learned about NHS and Patrick tried it out for a week. We knew instantly that it was perfect for him. A small school with a small campus, the student-to-teacher ratio is very good. All the students have a learning disability, so they are all in the same boat. No one teases or bullies – it is not even an option nor ever an opportunity. All children look out for other students. There seems to be an understanding of acceptances. The older children watch out for the younger and the less disabled watch out for the more disabled.

The first year here, Patrick did not speak, did not make eye contact, did not participate in class and could not be touched by anyone at any time. Patrick now owns the campus., knows everyone, seeks out friends to talk to and communicate with.  He walks and talks with ease from class to class.

Patrick is now in 8^th grade and in every way he is an eighth grader, ready and eager for high school. He loves school, his teachers, and his fellow students. He is no longer classified autistic, but a boy with some learning disabilities. He may have delayed reading and math skills, and he may still have delayed social skills, but a far cry from when he came four years ago.

Autistic children need a controlled environment so they can create a comfort zone. Without this comfort zone, they will continue to withdraw. NHS provided this comfort zone and Pat responded. Since he feels secure and safe, he continues to expand his environment and grow.

He had the lead in the drama play this year, and this is amazing. To see him on stage and realize his is going to be OK, that he has made it, and that he will grow up to be a productive young man is heart warming.

NHS has provided so much for Patrick and for this his family will be forever grateful. The move from Alaska to put Patrick in this school was the best thing we could ever have done.