TESTIMONIALS

Melissa Ettinger has had a pivotal, positive impact on our son and, consequently, our entire family.

 

Just as we were coming out of Covid and moving to a new town, we discovered that my son – who was starting first grade – was experiencing significant learning disabilities and behavioral challenges. We were informed that he was already behind grade-level reading and the gap was widening rapidly. He was having trouble making friends and he was having challenges meeting basic expectations.

 

Coming from a school where we were told more than once that “we had nothing to worry about,” my husband and I were distressed. We were worried, overwhelmed; we felt blind and alone.

 

We poured time, love and resources into our son’s education and well-being, but it didn’t seem to be making a difference. The gaps were widening. We were starting to wonder what kind of future our son could have. Then we met Melissa Ettinger.

 

It’s been a journey, but after much hard work with Melissa, our son is finally closing the gaps. He finished this past school year reading at grade level and is even excelling at math and other subjects.

 

I think that my son has been so successful with Melissa because she sees and understands him in a way that a parent can only hope for. He has quirky, hyper-focused interests; he is a gatherer of information and loves to learn. But despite his love for knowledge, our son was very resistant to reading, because it made him feel badly about himself and his abilities. So, Melissa would find and gift him books that he couldn’t resist: Books about dinosaurs, Star Wars—whatever would capture his interest.

 

Melissa always met our son where he was: Giving him moments to take a break to help him refocus; giving him the safe space to share how he felt his brain was functioning, so that they could work on overcoming his challenges together. I have learned so much about my own child and his experience through his relationship with Melissa.

 

And not only has his work with Melissa given our son a solid foundation to overcome his academic challenges: It has also given him confidence and skills to navigate social issues and daily expectations. Through what my son calls “Brain Games” — his favorite activity— he’s learned fundamental tools, such as active listening, flexibility and organization. The results speak for themselves: He’s more independent and proactive. He also has more friends.

 

Melissa has had such a profound impact on our son—she's changed the trajectory of his life. While we will always need to put in the work, we no longer feel alone, and we can see what is possible. Thanks to Melissa Ettinger, the future looks bright.