A feedback letter from a client

I received an e-mail from a family I worked with earlier this year. With her permission, she is allowing me to post it on this blog (alias used for her son's name)

Dear Dr. Varia,

I thought I'd write and update you on Michael's status since we met with you in August. I am SO grateful for your testing and advice. It gave us the information we needed to understand Michael's struggle with school, and to get him the help he clearly needs.

Michael was determined "Eligible" for help with his "Specific Learning Disability". An IEP was created on October 23. He had been placed in an 8th grade team of students that had special ed teachers already in the primary course classrooms on the second day of school, "just in case" he qualified for help. I am quite sure that just having those extra teachers available to help, for they help all of the kids, not just the ones assigned to them, helped him accomplish all A's and B's on his first quarter interims!

Michael has expressed relief in knowing that there is an explanation for his school difficulties, and that he is not alone moving forward. He's been very receptive to the help of his new teaching team, and continues to work hard at home.

I am so glad we were referred to you, and for the work you did with Michael. I just wish we'd caught it sooner. I know that if Michael had been identified sooner, it would have saved him, and me, much anguish. The silver lining is that it has been caught, and his future will be enhanced. I am so grateful for your work with Michael. Sure, we paid for the evaluation, but knowing it was done by a highly educated professional that specializes in this sort of assessment, and who prepared reports that were detailed and specific to him made it clearly worth the investment. His future was at stake, and has been brightened by your help.