The Pink Tower helps support education for children with learning differences

Welcome to the first blog post of The Pink Tower.  This blog will highlight the ongoing issues related to education and learning differences in children, particularly children on the autism spectrum.  While the number of children with developmental and learning challenges continues to rise dramatically, our public and private education systems are unable to effectively accommodate them.  All evidence points to the fact that early intervention for these children makes a difference in the long term quality of their lives.  Without it, many of these children are ill equipped to learn and fit into mainstream educational programs, in many cases leaving them unable to live independent adult lives.  With ‘skilled’ intervention these children can live dramatically different, more independent and fulfilling adult lives.

While South Carolina recognizes the importance of early intervention and the need for special support programs, these services fall short of the need.  At their best, these programs provide limited support in and out of the classroom setting and do little to prepare mainstream schools and teachers for educating children with special needs.  These programs are also subject to budget issues and often fall short of accommodating all families in need,  leaving many children on the ‘waiting list’ for critical services.   

The Pink Tower was set up to help families, teachers, and schools in this situation, providing funds for Montessori tuition, skilled support services, and teacher education where needed.   www.thepinktower.org