You may be wondering, “Is my child a good fit for Gastonia Freedom School?” Here are some factors to consider:
Abilities
We focus on serving children with disabilities, so we are a good fit for children who are aware of their disability and want to work toward independence. Children in our space have autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. Some of them are non-verbal but able to communicate with phrases, signs, or gestures. They are able to use the bathroom on their own and ask for help when needed. They may occasionally feel frustrated, but they have tools to help themselves calm down without hurting others.
Learning
Learning is happening all the time, and children who are a good fit for our space do not have to like books and worksheets. They may like using YouTube or Google to search for things that interest them. They are willing to work with a facilitator or alone for short amounts of time without being forced. They may like moving or singing, but they can do so while respecting others’ space. They can tolerate being bored every once in a while. They listen to ideas from their parents and facilitators, but ultimately they decide what and how they will learn.
Small Size
Sometimes our friends feel lonely in the space. Children who are a good fit are able to play by themselves or know how to invite others to play with them. We have a wide age range of children, so they may end up playing with others who are younger or older. They can relate to children with different backgrounds. They are flexible about doing a preferred activity later so they can enjoy what is happening at the moment.
Behavior
Since this is a different environment than public school, we don’t assume that children who act out at school will do so in our space.
The self-directed nature of our space means that facilitators are not with every child for every minute of the day. Children who do well are able to resolve conflict with others without yelling or hitting. They can find activities to do and clean up after themselves (with reminders). They do not lie to or bully others. They treat the space with respect and do not destroy or steal materials that are out in the open. We recommend finding qualified professionals to evaluate and begin treating children with a history of abuse or trauma before enrolling them.
Questions? Email us at gastoniafreedomschool@gmail.com or call 980-785-4622.