Claude W Richardson Child Development Center

My son has only attended their for 4 months and he has progressed a lot. His teacher is amazing, & me as a mother know when my child is happy or sad. I do believe the teachers are great but, some assistants need a lot more experience and need to teach & treat the child the same with the regular teacher or the sub. The only thing I can complain about is the assistants. When my sons teacher was absent I was not pleased with the care and hygiene of my child.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started getting home visits from teachers from the school when she was 6 months. The teacher was amazing! She showed me ways to teach my baby things that most people don't have to teach their babies. When my baby was 2 she started going to the school, and she LOVED it. The teachers and assistants are awesome! I noticed somebody posted that they didn't see actual teaching going on. In the schools defense, kids with disabilities learn differently than the "normal" child, and since all of the students have different disabilities they can't just sit them down for formal lessons. Kids are worked with independently by teachers, assistants, different types of therapists depending on the needs of the child, and some times other parents. Everything they do in a day is learning in one way or another. The school even has a room for physical therapy that seems like play, but they are actually learning to jump, climb stairs, swing, and many other things. Parents that don't agree with teaching methods really should speak up and ask why things are done in a particular way. The staff is very good and handles each child based on their goals that the parents and teachers discuss.
--Submitted by a parent

i think that this school has donw wonders with my son!! He is 5 and when he started he was at a 18 month level and now he is at a three year level in just a year! The teachers are great there as well as the rest of the staff and they have excillent speech theripists. They keep you informed of all the progress and activities that is going on there... my son LOVES it there! I have recommended this school to several people already i am just sad this will be the only year he is able to attend in the fall. It is the best feeling to be able to sit with my son and atleast be able to understand his wants and needs and for him to be able to tell me these. Thank you so much for all you wonderful help.
--Submitted by a parent

my child has great teachers and has alot of fun and is really active. what lacks is the managment in place.. i don't own a car and i work 6 days a week. i was told if im not fast enough too pick my child up when shes sick law enforcement will get involved.. atm i would rather pull my child out of school and wait for public school then risk losing my child too CPS BS..
--Submitted by a parent

The Richardson Center has been absolutely amazing for our grandson. He has attended this wonderful school for 2 years and is now ready for Kindergarten. The teachers are highly skilled and knowledgeable. Our grandson spoke only ten words when he started at the school and was unable to communicate or interact with people. He is now outgoing, able to communicate with people and play with other children. I highly recommend this school to all parents.

I would NEVER send another child to this school. I am thankful to God that I stayed with my Autistic child or I would not have seen the abuse done there. I feel sorry for the other kids who don't have parents to go to school with them to protect them. I did not see any actual teaching. I saw a teacher put things in front ofa child and when they didn't do as they were expected to do, even though they weren't even told what was expected of them, the things were taken away from them. Even their lunch. Why not show them what to do and then let them try. Isn't that what teaching is? I don't feel that starving a child of a meal and water is really a great way of "teaching". I could go on for hours about how horrible my childs experience was at this school if anyone is actually interested. I can't say it was a total waste of time because now I have the knowledge to tell other parents I know with special needs children what to expect and let them make the decision based on truth.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are amazing. I feel so comfortable with all the staff at this school and secure that my child is in good hands.
--Submitted by a parent

Thisa really good school. In the year and a half that my now four year old has been attending he has learned a lot. He started to speak and started to use sentences. He has gotten really good tachers and I thank God for that. One thing that I'm concerned about is the long bus ride my child has to get in order for him to go to shool here. He rides 1 hr. & 20 min to school and back. I wish there was a faster way. Aslo the bus drivers could be a little bit more flexible since the child has to ride that long to school. I want my son to thrive and the Richardson Center can make that happen.
--Submitted by a parent