Raising kids today is challenging for all parents. Those with special needs children might face even tougher hurdles. Despite the challenges, parents of kids with physical or mental limitations can find joy in their children's daily achievements. With patience and support from understanding teachers and school staff, these unique children can thrive.
Meet 39-year-old Gail Twist and her 11-year-old son Ben. They live in St Helens, Merseyside.
Source: Gail Twist
Ben is autistic and attends Lansbury Bridge School. His mum says he's a hardworking student.
Source: Gail Twist
Meet Ben Twist, an 11-year-old facing his own challenges. He recently took an SAT test at Lansbury Bridge High School & Sports College and didn't quite make it. But what unfolded next wasn't what his parents expected.
Now, Lansbury Bridge is no ordinary school; it's a place where students with special needs are encouraged to shine. The teachers here are known for their compassion and care, and this story proves just how extraordinary they are.
Twist shared on the internet that when her son failed his end-of-year exams, the school sent him a letter that brought her to tears.
Source: Gail Twist
In her letter, Mrs. Clarkson, the headteacher, wanted Ben to know something important: those tests only show a small part of who he is and what he can do. She said they're important, and he did really well, but Ben Twist has many other skills and talents that we notice and appreciate at Lansbury Bridge.
She mentioned some of Ben's strengths, like how he's becoming more independent, how kind he is, and how good he is at making and keeping friends. The letter ended with Mrs. Clarkson saying, "You did great, Ben. We're really proud of you!" and there was even a smiley face.
Twist felt touched that someone took the time to write a personal letter to her son, thanking him and acknowledging his many great skills as a whole person.
Source: Gail Twist
Just like the school, Ben's mom is proud of her son, no matter the exam results. She mentioned, "When I looked at his actual scores, he achieved what we expected. The fact that he took the test is incredible."
Twist spent about 18 months working to get Ben into Lansbury Bridge, a school that's been rated 'good' by Ofsted. She believes it was all worth it, saying, "The school has found the right way for him to learn, which is very personalized and visual. This allowed him to take the test without feeling worried or panicked, which is amazing."
Twist thought the letter was so fantastic she decided to share it on Twitter. She didn't expect it to receive more than 6,000 retweets and 11,000 likes.
Teachers like Mrs. Clarkson have a big impact on how students, including those with autism, see their abilities and what they can achieve in life. Great job, Mrs. Clarkson, you're truly special.
And that's the story, folks! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Don't forget to like and spread the article with your loved ones. Stay tuned for more content like this from Aubtu. Thank you!