For Jessica Evans, finding the right school for her son Wyatt was challenging. After difficult experiences during kindergarten, she knew he needed a supportive environment that could help him grow and engage with the world. Lexington Life Academy turned out to be exactly what Wyatt – and the Evans family – needed.
“What made me love Lexington with all of my heart was the fact that we would be out in public and people from the school would shout, ‘Hi Wyatt!’ when they saw us at the grocery store, said Jessica. “There is a true, caring community in place at Lexington and it has surrounded me with so much hope.”
At Lexington, Wyatt has thrived in ways Jessica – a fierce advocate for her son and other children with autism – never expected. Wyatt, who is nonverbal, uses his Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to communicate more effectively and has made great progress in activities like using the bathroom independently, a milestone his family had worked towards for years. Jessica attributes these strides to Lexington’s dedicated staff and personalized approach to educating students with autism, which has helped Wyatt feel secure and understood, fostering growth in his social and play skills.
For example, Wyatt, who once struggled with basic play, has embraced activities like coloring, building and painting. These creative outlets have allowed him to express himself in new ways, connecting with both his teachers and his younger brother as he colors alongside him at home. Wyatt’s excitement for these activities marks a big change, giving Jessica confidence that he’s found a place where he can thrive.
The Lexington community extends beyond the classroom, providing a network of support for parents like Jessica. She has found connection and camaraderie with other special needs families, easing the isolation that can come with parenting a child with autism.
“It can be very lonely being a special needs parent,” said Jessica. “I am one of those parents that wants to help and support others. I’ll help a mom struggling with her child who is having a tantrum and won’t get off of the floor. We need to help support one another and I am always introducing women from my moms’ group to Wyatt’s school.”
Lexington has not only given Wyatt the structure and encouragement he needs to grow, but has also created a sense of belonging for the entire Evans family.
Lexington Life Academy operates two Phoenix area schools, the Gateway campus and the South Mountain campus. The schools are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for students with a goal of harnessing the strengths of each while providing support for their individual needs.
Learn more about our school today.