Parent's Page
Before Ian Shephard enrolled at Veritas Christian Academy, his educational experience was painful. His mother knew there had to be a school where Ian could learn, thrive, and be successful. Her research led her to Veritas Christian Academy and the School Within a School. Ian was evaluated, and was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Recently Mrs. Shephard wrote a letter expressing her appreciation for the change that she has seen in Ian. Excerpts from her letter appear below.
" The School Within a School and all of Ian's teachers in each class have made such an impact on Ian as a person. All of your efforts have made Ian, for the first time feel as though he is part of something great. He feels like a part of the school and not like an outcast. I have never seen a group of kids from every walk of life come together as a family, just because they want to. Ian and his classmates are a tight unit. It doesn't matter if a child has Asperger's Syndrome; the child is accepted by the other kids."
- Susan Shephard
It’s not just the teachers who have had an impact on Ian. His classmates have, too. Ian has matured, found life-long friends, and is discovering his God-given talents. In 2010, he was cast as the preacher in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He now has, in Ian’s words, “real friends”. He attends a school where he belongs, is growing emotionally and academically, and is learning about God. We all pray that this will be every student’s experience who receives services from the School Within a School Support System.
Testimonials from Current Families
What are Social Skills?
Additional Resources
Autism Society of North Carolina
The Autism Society of North Carolina is committed to providing support and promoting opportunities which enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families.
MAAP Services for the Autism and Asperger Syndrome is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
The Center for the Study of Autism (CSA) is located in the Salem/Portland, Oregon area. The Center provides information about autism to parents and professionals, and conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions. Much of our research is in collaboration with the Autism Research Institute in San Diego, California.
Treatment & Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children - University of North Carolina. The TEACCH mission is to enable individuals to function as meaningfully and as independently as possible in the community; and to provide exemplary services throughout North Carolina to individuals with autism and their families and those who serve and support them; as a member of the University community, to generate knowledge; to integrate clinical services with relevant theory and research; and to disseminate information about theory, practice, and research on autism through training and publications locally, nationally and internationally.
This web site is a guide for parents, professionals, people with Aspergers and their partners.
The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. Education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research form the cornerstones of ASA's efforts to carry forth its mission.
