GABA Children's Society - Fawkes Academy

There are not enough stars to say how amazing Fawkes Academy is!!!!My child is now 19 and graduated from Fawkes Academy. My child was diagnosed at the age of four and half with autism -attended ABA learning centre first .Had two words, not potty trained, severe behaviour issues.With in the year he was talking , potty trainedWe tried public school and was never ending issues and challenges for us.We went with Fawkes Academy for his schooling/ behaviour consulting after repeated challenges with school system .I still can not get over the difference in IEP a meetings and goals from public school to Fawkes. Goals clearly set out, how we would address them , materials we could use. Just amazing and follow up on them.Fawkes academy team are true educated professionals and they CARE .Not once put a limit on what he could learn.He was encouraged with his academics, supports and modifications were made to help him learn the way he learned best.As we started with ABA/Fawkes Academy when he was 4 and he is now 19. I can tell you there were many many challenges ,tears, joys, accomplishments raising a child with Autism and complex needs is hard -I could not have done it with out all staff at Fawkes over the years.EVERY CHILD CAN LEARNAnd my son is still learning everydayI can not THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH !!

A few years ago the Minister of Education refused to accommodate a 12-year-old boy with a Chronic Health Disability in our public schools. My daughter, a single mom with two children, was left on her own to find information and resources on how to provide an education for her son.After hours and hours of phone calls to government agencies and private schools we discovered Fawkes Academy, a non-profit DL school. Leslie, then a Special Education Teacher, spent a great deal of time guiding my daughter through the system to find financial and educational support for her son. Her son was provided with up to date resources with support teachers/tutors to make sure he enjoyed learning while at the same time being challenged. Fawkes Academy has helped build a solid foundation of good work habits and provided him with all the tools that he needs to succeed.This year, this child who is a straight A student, is proud to be graduating with a Dogwood Certificate and moving on to University seeking a career in mathematics thanks to Fawkes Academy!We are forever grateful and can’t thank everyone enough for all your help.

Beware.A number of teachers do not have special needs experience or formal training and are not equipped to deal with any sort of learning or behavioral diversities that are common with special needs, autism and learning differences.They will tell you they focus on academics but have only ever had 1 Dogwood diploma graduate, everyone else is earning participation certificates.I was told in an IEP meeting not to focus on academics because no one expects kids with ASD to be successful that's why academics are listed last."If you want more than a day program

My wife and I are blown away by the level of professionalism and all the amazing practitioners working collaboratively. It doesn't get any better than this.

This school has made a world of difference for my son. Coming from public school where he was outcasted, he is welcomed here by all staff and students and has made so many great connections with his classmates. The teachers are always ready to help with any requests we may have. Thank you so much Fawkes for everything you do.

Please please invest in Fawkes. They have so many amazing programs for kids with ASD/related disorders no matter what age. To home support team programs, to adult programs, to a clinic, to centre based work, to life skills, it's all endless here and they are doing social skills and friendship work. This school as well as Fawkes in Richmond deserves all the recognition.