Paislie (11), Corrie (9), CJ (8), Azariah (7)
Tell me a little bit about your family.
We are proud parents to six children, ranging in age from 7 to 22. Our journey to building our family may differ from the typical family narrative, just as our family itself is unique. Our skin tones vary, and each of us has distinct abilities, skills, assets, and needs. These traits are what make our family special and something we wholeheartedly embrace.
In 2013, after years of dreaming and discussing the idea of expanding our family through adoption, we made the decision to take action and turn our dreams into reality. We had decided we would be open to any child, including those with special needs. After a period of waiting we received a call informing us of a baby girl born with Down Syndrome and were asked, “Would you be interested in parenting her?” Without hesitation, we replied, “YES!”
Over the next few months we prayfully considered continuing to expand our family through adoption. We both agreed that this next adoption would look a bit different; we were ONLY seeking a child with special needs. Over the next few years we welcomed three more children into our family—two more delightful girls with Down syndrome (Corrie, 9, and CJ, 8) and one clever little boy (Azariah, 7) who has several neurological diagnoses and genetic anomalies, earning him the nickname “puzzle” from most doctors.
Tell me about how your family found MDE School.
The transition from early intervention to public school was not as easy as we had been led to believe. We quickly recognized that our local school was either unable or unwilling to accommodate the diverse needs of our children. Two of our children relied on g-tubes for nutrition, consuming no food orally, and one was on a feeding pump 24/7. As a result, we were informed that she would be confined to a harnessed chair throughout the day for safety.
The idea of her being restricted to a harnessed chair, unable to engage in most activities, and lacking a teacher or aide to help her with mobility was terrifying! We knew we needed to explore alternative options, and we set out to find one.
Our search took us from Tennessee to Georgia, and in January 2020, just weeks before the COVID outbreak and mass school closures, our family of eight moved. Following those onset delays, but with high hopes for improved services for our children, we began our education journey in GA at a school designed to accommodate children with neurodevelopmental challenges. Sadly, it became clear that it would not be a long-term solution. Each of our children had unique needs that were not being addressed or nurtured effectively.
Then we discovered MDE! After extensive research, referrals, and reviews, we arranged a meeting with Mindy, and that was it! Paislie was our first child to enroll at MDE, and we quickly saw her success. It was through this experience that we began the transition of our other children to MDE. MDE doesn’t merely accommodate children; they celebrate them. They view each child’s unique set of abilities as a strength, fostering an environment where they can learn and thrive in ways they never imagined. MDE embraces challenges.
When I explained that our youngest three were incontinent and in diapers and two were g-tube dependent, they responded, “That’s fine, we’ll train whoever we need to train in order to assist and serve your family.” That reply was unexpected and exactly what my heart needed to hear. In that moment, and many since, I knew our four children would be loved, supported, challenged, and cared for at MDE for years to come.
I am delighted to share that our youngest three are now fully potty trained, and our two children, who previously relied on g-tubes, are now eating orally. This achievement would not have been possible within this timeframe without the unwavering support, commitment, and collaboration of MDE. I could go on about the countless ways MDE has supported our family—there’s enough material for a book! The most important takeaway is that MDE is not just another school but a refuge for families like mine. MDE prioritizes its students and families above all else. It stands as a beacon in this community, one that I am proud to be part of and support.
Why did you choose MDE School?
The public school system could not provide the individualized 1:1 instruction that Colin needs on a consistent basis. We were looking for a smaller class size and a collaborative environment where curriculum and instruction would be adjusted to accommodate Colin and the way in which he learns. MDE has provided what we were looking for and more!
What improvements has your child made since they started attending MDE School?
Colin is happy! He is a very social guy and enjoys spending his school day with his friends and teachers at MDE. He progressed in reading and math this school year and he is excited to go to school each day. He loves MDE and so do we!
Alex - Age 20
Tell me a little about your family.
I grew up in Atlanta, and my husband is from Florida. We have two children, Alex, and his younger sister, a junior in high school. We also recently adopted a golden doodle named Beary.
Tell me about your journey as a special needs parent.
Alex suffered an in utero stroke. Due to the stroke, he has Cerebral Palsy. We knew from the beginning that Alex would have some challenges and a lifetime of occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
How long has your child been at MDE School?
We have been at MDE School for eight years.
Why did you choose MDE School?
We chose MDE School because we wanted to find a school where Alex could make friends, get one-on-one attention academically for math and reading, and continue to grow as a student and young man. We love the new MDE Vocational Academy Alex attends. As a result, Alex is becoming more independent. He is starting to make his bed at home and is learning life skills, including cooking.
What improvements has your child made since they started attending MDE School?
Alex has received lots of one-on-one help with reading comprehension and is now a more fluid reader.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I love that Mindy and the whole staff are responsive to Alex’s needs and always address our concerns if we have any.
Lawsen - Age 8
My name is Brittany and my husband’s name is David. Our days are full of the chaos of raising a family. Things are rarely boring around here. Our family consists of two wild, keep you on your toes sons and two rambunctious dogs.
Lawsen our youngest (8yrs), came into this world on a chilly day in November of 2013. He was born strong, healthy, and beautiful. He was a typical newborn. They are so sweet at that stage. However, it wasn’t until he became a toddler that I realized something was different.
I thought I was the problem. That I had postpartum depression even though he was a toddler. I had felt more connected to a stranger’s child than my own. I felt like a horrible mother. One day in tears, I confessed this to my mother, who nodded like she understood, and then I started to Google:
“Why did my almost two-year-old act like he didn’t know his name?”
“Why doesn’t my child want to look at me or play with me?”
“Why couldn’t my child talk?”
The word Autism started popping up left and right. If I’m honest, I had never heard of Autism. So I found myself in this rabbit hole searching for answers.
Lawsen was diagnosed with moderate to severe Autism at 22 months old. I cried that day and for a week afterward. My beautiful baby was going to struggle through life. In an Autism support group, someone told me of a program called “Babies Can’t Wait.” It’s a state-funded program for early intervention for delayed development in children under 3. I attended every one of his therapy sessions, soaking it up like a sponge
Finally, we were connecting with Lawsen. We were learning HIS language. But, after a few years of school and private therapy, I knew it wasn’t enough. He wasn’t getting enough support. We lived in the rural countryside, and we knew they weren’t equipped at the local school to handle Lawsen’s situation.
Knowing it was time for a change, we packed up our stuff and moved to Marietta for better schools. But the public schools in Cobb were worse than the small town we were coming from. I was shocked. I felt deflated. They acted like glorified babysitters. He was there for only one week. If the letters I, E, P, mean anything to you, I need not say more
People say no one does better research than a worried parent. They are right, and my research lead me to MDE School.
My husband and I immediately met with Mindy Elkan, the director of MDE School and she gave us a tour. By the end of the tour, both my husband and I looked at each other, and we knew, THIS IS IT
MDE was the place for our son, a safe haven in a system otherwise designed to let neurodivergent children fail. Lawsen is so happy to go to school every day. We have seen such a difference in him. We are at the end of Lawsen’s first year attending MDE, and we can’t wait to see what next year brings. He is much more alert and aware of his surroundings. The number of words he knows and comprehends, I would say, has doubled. He eats so many new foods and textures. He now speaks with a communication device, and two months ago, he said, “Mom, you’re awesome.
And I cried. I cried because I had hope. I had hope that maybe one day he could be self-sufficient. My most recent note from the school said he enjoyed using an electric can opener. Notes like these give me encouragement.
At MDE they see potential. They invest in these children, and the kids flourish because of that. So it was an obvious choice who we wanted to donate to this year. We were happy to be a presenting sponsor of the MDE School’s 80’s themed benefit gala. We donated not just because our son attends MDE, but for every child who needs a place that understands them. More schools like this are needed.
According to the CDC, a study done from 2009-to 2017, one in six households will have a child with a developmental disability.
We only have a few special needs schools in the whole state of Georgia. So it is of absolute importance that the few schools we have like MDE are protected and well funded
My husband and I enrolled Claire in every early intervention therapy we could. Our journey as a special needs family has been tough and frustrating at times with a lot of “reality checks.” Now that Claire is older and we have been on this journey for over 8 years, we have a completely different perspective on Claire’s autism. We are now in a place of acceptance and focus on the joy she brings to our lives. Claire has a pure soul. She is extremely loving. We are grateful for that.
hOW LONG HAS YOUR CHILD BEEN AT MDE SCHOOL?
This is Claire’s 4th year at MDE.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MDE SCHOOL?
We looked at several schools both public and private options. MDE seemed like the most loving and accepting environment. We were also really attracted to all the extra activities Claire would get to participate in including specials, clubs and therapy with the Atlanta Speech and Language Clinic right there on campus.
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAS YOUR CHILD MADE SINCE THEY STARTED ATTENDING MDE SCHOOL?
Claire has come a long way socially since being at MDE. She genuinely enjoys being around her teachers and peers now. She makes good eye contact and has many connections and attachments to the MDE staff and other students. She is happy to go to school and misses it when school is closed.
WHY DO YOU LIKE MDE SCHOOL?
I love MDE because I feel like the staff genuinely loves and appreciates Claire for who she is and works to bring out the best in her.
Samair - Age 14
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTS
Our special needs journey began at 23 weeks into my pregnancy. I received confirmation from my doctor that I was carrying Samair a, baby boy.
This was our first pregnancy after conceiving from three rounds of infertility treatments and being treated to be a high-risk patient.
At my routine 20-week appointment, the ultrasound of Samir’s neck measurements showed some thickness of the neck which is a marker for Down Syndrome. Because ultrasounds aren’t a full-proof way of testing for Down Syndrome babies, we decided to proceed with more advanced testing to give us a definitive answer. We received the call and were given a lot of things to consider. We experienced fear and stress knowing that our son would be born with special needs. At that point, we began praying for guidance, acceptance, and peace. We knew that our lives would never be the same and we could not wait to meet him! He was born on December 12th of 2008, and he was perfect to us.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR CHILD BEEN AT MDE SCHOOL?
This is Samir’s first year attending MDE.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MDE SCHOOL?
We were referred by another parent whose child attends MDE School. After touring the school, and speaking with Mindy, Samir, and I knew instantly that it would be a good fit for him.
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS OR GOALS HAS YOUR CHILD REACHED SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN AT MDE SCHOOL?
Samir’s confidence and social skills have improved.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT MDE SCHOOL?
We like the structure of the classroom and the way the curriculum is developmentally appropriate for where Samir is academically.
The small student to teacher ratio MDE School offers is also real plus.
We love that the school is enhancing the foundation that we strive for at home and in Samir’s personal life.
As a former special education teacher, patience and tolerance are the most important key in the special education classroom. I can truly say that the staff so far has displayed these qualities, and because of that, as a parent, I’m excited to know that Samir’s is in a good place.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE ANYTHING ELSE YOU FEEL IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR STORY.
Having Samir has taught our entire family much more about strength and love and made out lives and hearts fuller. We’ve also learned that it is okay to do things at your pace at the best of your ability.