‘Tis Thanksgiving morn 5 AM, and a peaceful time to recollect the NPM&A travels and ‘doings’ this Fall. School Connections in Newport Beach involved at least 30 therapeutic programs for 1/2 hour ‘speed dating’ or ‘showcasing’: Memorial Hermann, an adolescent rehab in Houston, stood out, so that before the Dallas IECA conference,we visited the program and were delighted on all levels.
We also toured College Living Experience in Costa Mesa, for autistic spectrum post-secondary students , and are pleased that they are opening. In addition, Sober Living by the Sea , a rehab for young adults, was most impressive. Fusion Academies are proliferating in CA and have academic intensity and quality.
Touring at least a dozen Tucson day schools with parents and students was time-consuming and interesting, with the parents pleased with the final decision.
Our trip to Dallas began with a tour of Southern Methodist University, and I am recommending it highly to one of my transfer students. It is very well endowed, and has outstanding specialties. The IECA conference was sterling, one of the best, as the keynote speaker, Dr. Leonard Sax ,spoke to both girls’ and boys’ differences and how both parents and schools are failing them. His books: Girls on the Edge & Boys Adrift are must reads. Presentations on the Gap Year, Getting Teens to Talk with you, and Anxious Parents were extremely worthwhile. The Saturday Showcase featured new and changed therapeutic programs, for both adolescents and young adults. Jeff Johnson is joining Gil Hallows at Legacy Outdoor Adventures, which should be a sound wilderness venture.
Returning to AZ, we went to the memorable Anasazi Gala in Gilbert, where alums and celebrities were featured, as well as to Life Development Institute, Gateway Academy and Spectrum College for ‘spectrum’ students.
Our plans are to ‘stay put’ until February, when Rebecca and I will go to Orlando for more School connections and the NATSAP conference. We look forward to educational consulting and traveling in 2012.