The Gap Philosophy

High potential learning disabled students can experience true academic success. Most of the students who have been labelled "LD" or "ADD" have skill gaps in their learning because of their particular learning style or their specific learning difference. As they progress chronologically, their skill gap widens. We all know that a student who cannot read adequately at his or her own age level cannot follow specific instructions from a math text written for students who can read at the age appropriate level. Students who have LD can learn to upgrade their skills one step at a time while learning about their specific learning profile. They can learn new skills and acquire knowledge by applying new learning strategies specific to their very own learning styles or learning disabilities. We believe that helping these students 'fill the gaps' they have in learning and in social behaviour, while at the same time teaching them to learn on their own, will ultimately equip them to be reintegrated into a regular setting in an authentic way with minimal support. It is these specific strategies which we believe have led to the dramatic improvements and solid success we've seen each year.

We also believe that by treating students individually and holistically, we can attain more permanent success. Each student is programmed for on an individual basis. Although we do have guidelines within which we run our programmes, each person is considered on the basis of their own particular profile, and a programme is set up for each individual student. We also believe that a holistic approach to education and life skills works well for students who have gaps across the board, as is often the case in the LD or ADD population.

It also must be noted that the Gap community does not endorse or encourage the use of psychotropic medications in treating the symptoms of LD. While we recognize that there are some students and families for whom medication has been a godsend, we believe in a much more direct and individualized solution-oriented plan.