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ABOUT
Mission Statement - Aspects
- Students - Our Story
- NCA Accreditation - NAPSEC
- NATSEP - Population
- Directions - Faq
LDI Students
"Typical" high school students are two types - day local public
high school pupils and those from out of the area and state. The local
public high school students are ages 16 - 19, are LDI day students and
live at home. The high school students from out of the area are 18 - 22
years of age and are part of the LDI residential program. The post-secondary
and/or transition students are representative by adults ages 18-38. All
students exhibit some combination of the diagnoses of LD, ADHD, Asperger's
syndrome, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, borderline
personality disorders, and nonverbal LD. Also, those attending LDI represent
high functioning special needs individuals who are not successful in traditional
public special education programs or have experienced difficulty transitioning
and succeeding in colleges, vocational/technical schools or other post-secondary
programs sans some support.
For many students, attending LDI is the first time in the history of their
education that they are not the "odd man out." Adolescents and
young adults are deeply involved in the process of self-evaluation and
identity formation. Interaction with people who have similar abilities
and disabilities allows the student to experience education within a community
of peers, rather than being the "different," "special,"
or "challenged" student.
Students arrive at the LDI often with little hope or confidence in themselves.
After years of thinking and believing they are not smart enough, being
told they don't try hard enough, and underperforming on tests or in class,
these students are left with little or no faith in their abilities. It
is clearly observable that as students progress through the program at
the LDI, one can see them start to become more confident and build respect
for whom they are and what they can do. The students who finish the LDI
program are not the same as when they started. LDI produces adults who
believe in themselves, are capable and confident, and suddenly realize
that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather a way to build
knowledge and confidence.
