The Epiphany School Saved All of Us
Impact Story
The Epiphany School Saved All of Us
“Joshua’s time at Epiphany was a special pitstop that provided him, and our whole family, exactly what we needed.”
— Beth Ann, parent of a former student at The Epiphany School of Charlotte
Today, looking at him as we sit together in a coffee shop, you’d think he’s an average teenage boy. His phone in hand, hot chocolate and croissant within reach and playing Minecraft, he gives one word answers when I try for conversation. Some would think ‘how sweet’ to have a mom-and-son date.
We always thought Joshua was a bit quirky. Early on he didn’t process things the way a neurotypical kid would, and eventually, he was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD and ASD-1 (formerly known as Asperger’s Syndrome). In 3rd grade (before Epiphany) he began getting into arguments with other kids, alienating his classmates, and getting easily upset. While his teachers became frustrated, and his peers matured socially at a faster pace, he was falling more and more behind, and mis-reading social cues, leading to a lack of friends and bullying. Phone calls and emails from his school became a daily occurrence. The amount of stress and tension in the house was palpable, and we despaired for his, and our, future. Then we found Epiphany.
Epiphany’s faculty added the crucial social and emotional component. Through daily Friends and Feelings™ classes he learned to read social cues, regulate his emotions, and understand what behaviors were expected in different social and classroom situations. He made lasting connections with other kids and developed solid friendships. The reinforcement, encouragement and patience from the teachers was constant, and his self-confidence flourished – he even founded and led their first Dungeons and Dragons Club!
Our family’s journey has been complicated. Many travel the same road, but it’s the pitstops, detours and choices we make that make all the difference. Joshua’s time at Epiphany was a special pitstop that provided him, and our whole family, exactly what we needed.
