To Maureen… How right you are that we as parents of special need kids don't take care of ourselves. It really made me think and last night Ronan and I booked a cruise for the two of us next week! So we will have a nice glass of champagne and toast to you and all the staff at Riverview who put our minds at ease about our dearest Lauren's wellbeing. Parent: AnnaO’Neill
It’s been about six months since Meagan left Riverview and I thought we'd send you and others at Riverview a quick note on Meagan. Meagan had been accepted to NHTI in Concord, N.H. and was scheduled to start school in September. Obviously we had a lot of concerns. Would she be able to adjust to living in a college dormitory? Would she be able to meet friends? How would she survive academically? Plus numerous other concerns and questions. Well the verdict is in. After one semester her grades include a B plus and two B minuses. She has met friends at school that she can hang out with. She has survived dorm life and likes the independence of living away from home.
Now obviously this is one semester and more challenges remain but this is all great stuff. Her interest is in hospitality management so if everything works out we'll stretch this out over two years and she'll receive a certificate in this program. I don't think her performance is an accident. Her three years at Riverview really are the key to her present success. This simply would not have been possible without her attending Riverview.
Aside from academics, Meagan learned so much from Riverview such as problem solving, interacting with people, making friends, being a self-advocate, survival skills, etc. But more fundamentally she is much more confident person and has a greater sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
- Past Parent, January, 2012
Riverview School has truly enriched our lives and Jessica's in countless ways! My husband David and I will be traveling back to Italy this fall, because we have such trust in the care that you and your devoted staff have afforded our daughter...We cannot thank you enough! Parent:Eileen Waxler
As Fred and I drove by Riverview late last night we both commented on how Riverview was the best experience of our daughter’s, as well as our whole family, life. We had an impromptu family get together with Sara’s grandmother and Aunt Andrea and Uncle Tom neither of whom had seen her in a few months. They were dumb struck by the amazing changes in Sara. It seems like the Riverview miracle for Sara is an asymptotic curve starting out low and slow, then curving up strongly and now the sky is really the limit! And she’s engendering wonderful changes in her siblings.
Additional Parent Interviews:
Here are some comments from our students and their families.
Taking their autistic daughter out of the local public school Fred and his wife opted to enroll her in the Riverview School, which specializes in helping students like her. “It was among the most difficult moves we've made, but she's now in a place of miracles.” Fred H., father of Sara H., class of '11
"I would highly recommend Riverview because the staff are very helpful and they enjoy working here. The teachers help you with your school work and they do challenge you a lot. Overall, between staff, teachers, and students, GROW is like one big family. Everyone makes you feel like your a part of a family and that is such a great feeling. " Audrey H., G.R.O.W. student '11
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"Riverview is an exceptional school that has positively impacted the lives of everyone in my family. We had hoped to help our daughter Sara by enrolling her at Riverview…what we didn’t realize was that we would be saving our whole family. Like a rising tide that raises all ships Riverview raised up everyone in our family. Along with Sara my other two became calmer more ready and able to access their skill sets…school performance for all three improved dramatically…even though Sara was the only one attending Riverview.
And don’t get me started on friendships…SARA HAS FRIENDS! My daughter has a peer group…both positive and supportive…except when they’re not…and Riverview helps there with structured social skills work in a true 24/7 environment with capable experienced empathetic staff facilitators aiding everyone to find a way, adapt and be resilient!
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Visit…maybe it will be the “Lillo & Stitch” perfect place for your child…give it a look!" Alicia H., mother of Sara, class of '11
