Alyssa came to Gillis School when her home school district had exhausted all their options. She frequently ran from staff members, made inappropriate comments and was very shy and withdrawn. After a year at Gillis Alyssa’s behavior has shown a significant improvement. She no longer withdraws or runs away. She uses her words rather than behaviors to express her needs.
During a recent all-school assembly Alyssa was singing quietly to a teacher. She was offered the opportunity to use the microphone and sing to the audience. She walked confidently to the principal and took the microphone. Out came her version of the Star Spangled Banner, which was correct in tone and pitch, but the lyrics were her own creation.
Alyssa’s mom and school district liaison were astonished to hear about the day’s assembly. Alyssa’s mom said, “Alyssa would never have done that a year ago and never would have been able to do that without Gillis!”
