Connection over Curriculum

  I am excited to share my experiences with 

Ms. Michelle during our RDI journey. Having known Ms. Michelle as a special educator for over 4-5 years, we were eager to start this new approach with her guidance, confident it would meet our child's needs. Initially uncertain of the transformation ahead, we now recognize how far we've come in the past 10 months. My bond with my son, Shrikar, has deepened; he actively seeks me out when I'm not around, showing an understanding that I will return. Our communication has greatly improved. Anxiety has decreased for both Shrikar and us as parents. The weekly classes and assignments have helped us maintain a consistent guiding relationship, making us more focused and aware. This journey has transformed not only my relationship with Shrikar but also my personal growth. Interestingly, it's positively impacting my neurotypical child as well.

We've fostered a sense of compassion and togetherness within our family, moving beyond power struggles to understanding one another’s perspectives. We are now able to handle challenges while staying flexible. This RDI experience has become a valuable way of life for us. Thank you, Ms. Michelle Fernandes, for introducing us to RDI and guiding us through this journey.

  Michelle started helping my daughter, Saisha, when she was in grade 1. She was having a lot of problems adjusting, as we had just moved to a new city. The teachers informed us that Saisha needed significant help with her English, especially in syllabication and reading. Additionally, Saisha was a very quiet child, struggling to cope with the new city, school, and people. At that crucial point in her life, Michelle provided the support Saisha needed. Not only did she assist her in the areas where she faced challenges, but she also helped transform my daughter from an introvert into an extrovert, boosting her confidence and fostering a love for reading. Michelle taught her for three years and ensured that her foundational skills were strong. Today, Saisha has just graduated from grade 12 with an impressive 92% in English! Throughout middle and high school, she has been an excellent student in English, consistently achieving the highest marks. The credit for this success goes to Michelle, who instilled a love for literature and guided Saisha lovingly and patiently when she needed it most. Saisha is now enrolled at Krea University, where she has chosen English as her major. Thank you, Michelle!

We have had the immense pleasure of knowing Ms. Michelle since 2018. She has been working with my son, Shaunak, for almost six years and my daughter for three years. Both of my children are on the autism spectrum. Ms. Michelle has been our guiding light in special education. She is not only extremely resourceful but also willing to go the extra mile to ensure that each child learns in a way that best suits them. She effectively uses visuals and neuro-affirming techniques, starting from the core issues related to autism, and has been a tremendous help to both of my children. Whether she’s creating handmade charts to teach phonics to my son or using visual sight words for my daughter, she consistently finds the most effective teaching methods for them. She once implemented learning stations for my daughter, with activities like dressing up and Alphabet Soup, demonstrating her creativity and the effectiveness of her approach. Her Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are well thought out, and she regularly revisits them with us. She goes the extra mile to provide study materials and accommodations that she designs herself, utilizing visuals and games where necessary. It is impressive how she has been assisting my son with answering long literature questions. She is an incredibly patient teacher and understands the cognitive challenges faced by students on the autism spectrum. She is empathetic, kind, and warm. My children adore her, and we are grateful for the impact she has on their lives. We highly recommend Ms. Michelle.