From Our Family to Yours
My three children attend Claro and since they started there last year, it has been life changing for our whole family. They all can truly be themselves while still being accepted by their peers and mentors. Nowhere else have they ever received the attention and individualized program that they have at Claro. Claro makes each child feel like they matter and are capable of anything. As an autistic adult, I am so grateful for them and their neuroaffirmative and collaborative approach to autism.
~Shayna Kershaw
We came to Claro after a succession of efforts of public school, homeschooling, online learning, and another learning center. Both my son and I were exhausted and traumatized. Claro staff quickly integrated us into their community, and began building trust with us. After our first year, there was no question that this was the safe, supportive and empowering learning environment that my son needed.
My son is now in his second year at Claro Nanaimo. He is treated with respect, and guided by staff who know him and his needs. My son's confidence and independence has grown so much. When he accomplishes milestones, Claro staff are celebrating just as much as we do!
My son has also made a wide circle of friends at Claro. He is invited to parties, and chats online with his peers. I love hearing him laugh at home while he games with his Claro friends.
Thanks to the strong partnership with Claro and Kleos, my son has excelled academically. He is learning at grade level, and excited about his lessons. We recently had our IEP meetings, and it was an amazing celebration of his accomplishments.
Finally, I am a single mother on disability. Claro staff have gone out of their way to ensure that cost doesn't prevent my son and I from participating fully in the community. They really do treat us as members of a larger family.
~Sarah Pump
Atticus's journey from his entry point into Claro's program in Grade 4, to now; almost graduating grade 12, has been moving! The program and support he received has been fundamental to his academic success and who he has become as a young adult: a kind, considerate, educated, self-regulated, compassionate being. We are forever grateful for you all, who cared enough to help this organization exist and thrive, and took Atticus under their wing. Many thanks for all the support and care Atticus and our family received during his tenure at Claro Learning Center!
~Elizabeth Di Carlo
As a parent of a child with high-functioning autism, I understand the unique challenges we face in finding an educational environment that truly supports our children’s growth. After grade 5, the regular school system was no longer an option for my child, and I felt lost. When Claro entered our lives, I can confidently say that it was a game-changer. Here are the top four reasons I recommend Claro:
Understanding Staff: Claro’s mentors, parents, and fellow students embrace differences. They "get the struggles our children and families face daily. From daily emails, text messages, to emergency summer assistance, Claro is there for us. Their empathy creates a safe space for our children to explore and express their true selves.
Tailored Support: With a low instructor-to-student ratio (1:3, or 1:4), Claro gets to know each child’s strengths and challenges. Academically, they offer support such as talk-to-text and scribing. Holistically, they provide emotional support, sensory breaks, emotional intelligence development, social skills training, life skills, self-advocacy, and community involvement. Claro's program plans support academic and holistic goals based on IEPs, psych-ed assessments, family, mentor and student input.
Social Integration: Claro fosters friendships and community connections. They organize school “pods,” walking groups, group sports, and other fun activities. As our children grow, they explore universities, museums, galleries, and farms, expanding their minds and interests.
Transition Planning: Claro prepares students for life beyond school. They assist with resume building, organize student-for-a-day experiences at local post-secondary institutions, and teach essential life skills. For families, Claro hosts community connection nights, and transition meetings providing guidance for the transition from child to adult supports.
In summary, Claro celebrates neurodiversity, provides a safe and supportive space for growth, and supports both students and families during the transition to adulthood. If you’re seeking such an environment, look no further than Claro. I hope that Claro continues to positively impact more families like ours.
~Jennifer Drake
We knew from very early on that the traditional system was not going to be suitable for our son’s learning and development needs. When we moved to Nanaimo, and started researching other learning options for our son, Claro was very quickly put on the table. The word on the street from other parents and professionals alike was that Claro was definitely worth exploring. So we did, and from the first time we walked through the doors and met with past program coordinator, Kim MacIntyre, we knew Claro was where we wanted our child to be. Our son is now in his third program year at Claro. When he started we were very hopeful and excited at the possibilities but we had also learned to always try to remain cautious in our expectations. Within months, Claro had not only exceeded our expectations but had shown us so many new possibilities for our child’s learning and development. Gavin found his voice at Claro. He is supported unconditionally in his unique learning abilities, and most importantly he has found a community at Claro who inspire him to be whatever amazing version of himself he wants to be. As parents there are always so many unknowns that we just have to become comfortable with in regard to the development of our child. But what we know for sure is that when our son walks in the door at Claro every morning, he is welcome, he is accepted, he is safe, he is supported, he is challenged, he is encouraged, he is celebrated and he is genuinely cared for.
~Michelle & Dominic Rockall
I have two children who have been going to Claro for the past seven years. I can’t say enough about what a wonderful place it is. Our previous experience was a nightmare for our family. My kids would come home crying, angry and distraught. Claro is a place of acceptance, inclusion and caring. The mentors are all committed to ensuring a child’s success. They are also there for the families as well. My children have both become wonderful young adults with a future ahead of them! Thank-you Claro.
~Karen Dalton
The changes that I have seen in my son from the time we’ve spent at Claro have been absolutely remarkable. I truly believe Claro has GIVEN William his life... and as parents we are finally being heard! I always knew my child was different - but the ‘traditional school system’ would not listen to my concerns. Yes - they could tell he was brilliant, so they just kept putting him through. He fell deeper and deeper inside himself. Became totally withdrawn. And just so unhappy. Finally, in grade 9, I listened to my gut and pulled him out of school, after just a horrible experience. It was then that I had him tested, and sure enough - we got the autism diagnosis. With the amazing help from Kleos Open Learning - DL, we were introduced to Claro.
I have watched William go from withdrawn, alone, and absolutely miserable every day… fighting to get him to go to school... to thriving! To him telling ME to hurry up and get him to Claro EARLY each day for social time. Just looking in his eyes I see life. I see happiness. I see excitement. I see confidence. I now have a child who is the most social in our family! He has made the best friends at Claro - they spend all day together there, and then they’re hanging out evenings and weekends too. They fit in. They connect. At Claro not only are they learning about life skills, but they are really learn to live!
William is now in grade 12 - but since we LOVE Claro so much, we have decided to stretch out his time there for an extra year. The lessons he’s learning - the friends he’s making - the life he’s being given - his future is looking so bright!! All the AWESOME that Claro is doing for him… I truly cannot say enough good about the program, the staff, the students, the other parents, and the everything at Claro. A MILLION THANK YOUs!
~Ro Little
Learn. Grow. Shine.