Currently, there are over 2.3 million students in the United States who are diagnosed with a learning disability, yet only 25% receive the necessary special education services they need in order to thrive in the classroom (Learning Disabilities Association of America.) This gap is especially critical for children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), where one-third of students struggle severely with reading (ScienceDirect.) . But Laradon School Literacy Specialist Darbby refuses to accept those statistics—and is helping every student discover the power of their own voice.
“The goal of my job at Laradon is to implement a literacy framework that allows our students to set and achieve high literacy academic goals,” Darbby shared. “ Laradon is very hands on as we work directly with the teachers and students. It’s very different than other programs.”
Every morning, Darbby and Laradon’s other Literacy Specialist meet with the classroom teachers to discuss students’ individual literacy plans and progress. They provide guidance on how to promote reading in the classroom without it feeling like a chore. One of the most rewarding experiences is watching a student discover a love for reading and then see their confidence and skills skyrocket.
“Dakota is one student who has grown a lot since I started working with her,” Darbby said with a smile.
Dakota started at Laradon’s Calabrese Youth Center and the Laradon School in March of 2024. Before working with Darbby, Dakota did not enjoy school and often struggled in the classroom. However, since working with Darbby her test scores have improved drastically... she even likes going to school now!
“Dakota keeps growing and when we tell her about her growth, she’s so happy. We will bring her the certificate whenever she reaches her goals, and she will say, ‘Wait, what is this? Do I have to pay for this?’” Darbby expressed with a laugh. “Our students are just so happy to see their growth and I love that.”
As Laradon students continue to grow, Darbby wantss their families to know the importance of practicing skills at home.
“It’s really important that all students are able to see what we do in the classroom and why it benefits them in the real world. Being able to practice at home shows them this direct connection.” Darbby explained.
However, the single most important thing a parent can do, Darbby said, is to simply read with their children. Showing them how reading can be fun opens countless opportunities and fuels big dreams.
By: Katey Lewicki, Communications Coordinator
