We worked with Lauren for our 5-year-old who had always struggled with "big feelings" but suddenly…read morehad an aggressive behavioral change. We were walking on eggshells, bracing for violent outbursts, and had run out of strategies (books, podcasts, and Instagram posts could only take us so far!). We contacted Lauren as a referral from our pediatrician and she came within a couple of days. She was direct, honest, flexible, and honored our personal constraints. Within an hour, she had connected with our kiddo and reset the tone for our family. We committed to Lauren's approach. Over the course of several weeks, we saw dramatic improvements in behavior and breakthrough moments that brought tears to my eyes--calming his body, being kind to his little brother, and demonstrating patience. We not only regained control of our household, we learned how to be much more positive and resilient parents. As we reflected back, we spent the prior year+ losing our sh** and thinking that was normal (it probably is "normal"). Lauren was the intervention we didn't realize existed. We are now more equipped, in a way that is customized and works for our very special child. Thank you Lauren!!

Lauren truly is an exceptional behavioral consultant. I can't recommend her enough!…read more She has the ability to strike just the right balance of cool aunt and drill sergeant while working with children. She's so good at what she does that she's able to get the behavioral changes needed while maintaining a positive relationship. Not to mention the children walk away feeling really good about themselves. When speaking with children she truly humanizes their experiences and makes it so relatable for them. She has been instrumental in working with our school and has provided guidance and strategies for the school that are both novel and impactful. This has made a remarkable difference. Finally, she has been immensely helpful in teaching me how to manage behavior at home.

SEPTAR is one of the few Special Education PTAs in the state of California...and of course I have…read moreto say it rocks since I was a charter member. But seriously folks, if you have a special needs kid in Redwood City, or nearby, or you don't even have a special needs kid, but you want to be around great people who really care about kids and their community, come on down and sign up! Meetings are generally on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Check out the website for more information

WCC may be known as a preschool for children with hearing loss, but if I had known about it…read moreearlier, I would have absolutely sent my older child there too--even though they have no hearing issues. Preschool should be a time when kids learn how to respect boundaries, cooperate, and advocate for themselves. WCC puts a strong focus on these social-emotional skills, more than any other preschool I've come across--and I believe that focus is what really sets children up for long-term success. My daughter has been attending WCC for a year now as a 4-year-old. She's shy, introverted, has hearing loss, and didn't speak any English when she first started. I was really nervous about sending her, but I've seen such amazing growth. Academically, she's picking up phonics and math and, most importantly, she's enjoying the learning process. Socially, she's been making steady progress--which was my biggest concern--and she genuinely loves going to school every day. The teachers at WCC are incredibly invested in the kids. Sometimes I feel like they know my daughter better than I do! They pay close attention to what works best for each child and put in the effort to help them thrive. The small class sizes also make a huge difference, allowing each child to feel seen and supported. As a parent who has experienced a few different early education centers, I can confidently say WCC stands out as the best. It's a fantastic preschool for any child--whether they have hearing loss or not. But if your child does have hearing challenges, this is absolutely the school that will prepare them to succeed in a mainstream setting down the road.

A year ago, my son was diagnosed with hearing loss, and I felt completely lost and overwhelmed. We…read morehad so many questions and very few answers. Multiple people--alumni families and even our own medical team--referred us to Weingarten Children's Center (WCC), and I'm so thankful they did. WCC is more than just a school--it's a lifeline. It specializes in teaching children with hearing differences how to listen and speak, and the progress our son has made is nothing short of amazing. The staff is knowledgeable, compassionate, and committed to helping each child thrive. When he started, he couldn't hear or pronounce high-frequency sounds. Within just a few months, he was saying those sounds clearly and confidently. What makes WCC unique is the individualized support. Our son is learning how to advocate for himself, build confidence, and connect with others. He has also learned how to manage his hearing devices and is learning to express his needs. WCC doesn't just teach academics--it gives children the tools and confidence to fully engage with the world. T The team works closely with families, making us feel supported and seen every step of the way. They not only support the children but truly embrace the whole family in the process. If your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss and you're looking for guidance, WCC is the place to turn. We truly can't imagine what our son's future would have been like without WCC.

It has been over 1.5 years since my last review, and we love the school as much as we did when our…read morechild started school 2+ years ago! Everyone on staff has been incredibly easy and pleasant to collaborate with, and responsive to my questions. The school expanded over the summer to add 2 more classrooms, so that Burkard now has 6 classrooms: K/1, 2/3, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7/8th. Having experienced a few private schools and a public school between my 2 kids, I am confident this is the best environment for my child, for both academic differentiation and SEL support. It's often lamented that parents have to choose the least bad educational option for their 2e kids, but I truly believe this is a great option. We were fortunate enough to be with his amazing 2/3 teachers for 2 years, and have a new set of teachers we love this year, too. Speaking with parents across grades, they also think highly of their teaching teams. My son continues to thrive academically (measured by his overall engagement, as well as MAP testing), and we are very happy with the math differentiation he receives. Each year, I have been pleased with the attention and care the staff takes to make sure he's challenged at the right level. They take great care to plan engaging lessons across ELA, science, social studies and SEL, and incorporate hands on projects regularly to extend their learning. My son regularly shares interesting facts he learned in class! Math is a subject he continues to be passionate about, so I reach out to the school annually for math acceleration. He is given math assessments at the start of each year to determine the appropriate placement, and is given the option of joining a higher level class, or doing independent study in his classroom. We opted this year to have him join the higher level math class on a modified schedule, and we are grateful for the ability to choose the right option for him. The daily SEL teaching is also very well done. Many schools don't have the ability to go in-depth with SEL, but our BT has devised fun games and exercises for the kids to put their SEL knowledge into practice. It was so sweet to hear that my son's 4th grade class taught new recess games to the K/1 class! The BT's keep a close watch throughout the day, so the students are able to learn and play in a physically and emotionally safe environment. When conflicts arise, the staff is there to help the students resolve the issue in an appropriate way. We get daily reports, and twice monthly newsletters sharing what he's learning, so I know he's receiving a high quality education. If your child is at a school that is not meeting their needs, I encourage you to tour the Burkard School. It is truly a gem of a school!

We found TBS about three years ago and it is quite surprising that there aren't more schools for…read morebright kids who have significant social & emotional challenges, including mood disorders. We unfortunately found very little real understanding and expertise along the way, moving from program to program, from school to school, in every case deeply involved with the IEP process. Then we decided to try TBS. The results have been nothing short of amazing. Our student's self-esteem and emotional intelligence started to grow from the start and has continued to grow ever since. No more calls asking us to come quickly, the benefits to our entire household have been pretty incredible, across parents, siblings, and friends alike. When your student talks to you about how the kids at school are 'just like me', when they express a sense of belonging and common purpose to thrive in the face of big emotions, you can only smile and reflect on the journey. ...and imagine what it's like for other parents to understand you, understand your child, and understand so much of the details of the journey. The TBS community, made up of students, teachers, and parents is one that sees your child as deserving, powerful, and good.

This is a fantastic private school for childen with mild to moderate challenges…read more My little 9 year has been in this special needs school for over 3 years. Partial Scholarships can be requesed but, you must qualify. This excellent school is great for children on the Spectrum; includes social, speech, behavorial, occupational, academics. call 650-631-9999 for my info. a satisfied parent

Not only did my brother grow up through the ALLS and Arbor Bay programs but he thrived. It really…read morefelt like a second home. The therapists and teachers know their stuff and care so deeply for each child. You really get the sense that Arbor Bay is a school founded on passion. It has been a staple in the Bay Area community years and I could not recommend a place for your child more highly. Their Teachers, OT's, BT's and SLP's are top of the line. Their classes are honestly amazing for all young children. With the curriculum Arbor Bay provides, your child will develop a STRONG basis for language and intellect in a way THEY can learn, and retain the teachings.