The Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent has received $373,600 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to improve children's tutoring.
The Association's Executive Director Julia MacKellar said the three-year grant improves the longstanding tutoring program by expanding it beyond academics and into the realm of social skills for those students who could benefit from that kind of help.
“Children with learning disabilities require direct instruction, not only when being taught academics, but often when it comes to social skills as well. They don’t read social situations like neurotypical people do, in the same way that they don’t read words or work with numbers as easily. Because of funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation, we were able to add direct social skills instruction into our tutoring program, for those students who need it,” she explained.
MacKellar noted the tutoring program is meant for elementary children with learning disabilities or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); however, struggling learners without a diagnosis can also attend.
MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington Trevor Jones said this funding will provide important support for children in Chatham-Kent who are living with a learning disability, helping them build the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed.
"The Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent has a strong history of helping individuals reach their full potential, and this funding will allow them to strengthen and expand their Social and Academic Tutoring program so that more local children can benefit," said Jones. "By investing in our children and supporting them early, we are helping build a stronger, more inclusive community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent offers after-school and summer programs for elementary children, including one-to-one tutoring and small group social skills training.
They're located at Chatham-Kent Secondary School and are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
