NEW special needs enrichment center opens in Northville!

Living & Learning Center opens in Northville - Enriching lives of youths, teens and young adults

Special needs children, teens and young adults will benefit from programs offered at Living & Learning in downtown Northville. Social groups are forming for all ages and the center offers one-on-one or group, music therapy classes and art therapy classes, not to mention “rock band”, tutoring, teen nights (video games and pizza, anyone?) This enrichment center provides services, for youth, teens and young adults, who struggle socially, academically and emotionally in reaching their full potential.

Northville resident and founder of Living and Learning, Rachelle Vartanian shares the center’s Mission Statement: “Our children’s disability does not define who they are or what they have the potential to become.”

“At Living & Learning we are on a mission to assist all people in reaching their own personal best. We understand that your child is a person first (and not a label). Your child has specific strengths and weaknesses that are unique and make them who they are. We believe in order to increase “desirable qualities” and “enrich one’s life” it can only be done by knowing your child first as that individual. If we do not believe we can appropriately provide researched based, best practice methodologies for your child we will assist you in finding the right programs or centers that will.”

Rachelle Vartanian opened the center at 150 Mary Alexander Court, Northville in October. She describes her path to open the center:

“My undergraduate degree is from Eastern Michigan University in Teaching for the Emotionally Impaired. I also have a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Personality and Development. As the years passed I continued to work with students who had severe emotional impairments at the public school setting (elementary, middle, and high school). It was during this time that my own son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I always tell people, I was a good teacher before but I became different kind of teacher when I had a child with special needs.

I returned to grad school to earn a second master’s degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders. As with my emotionally impaired students, I knew the only way I could understand my own son’s needs and enforce real change was to learn and keep learning everything I could about Autism Spectrum Disorders.

A few years ago, I could not find any programs to enrich my son’s life near my home. I made it my mission to create my own. I rented a room at the local library and met with a small group of kids once a week. Eventually, I was turning families away because I didn’t have the room. During this time, after working for 20 years as special ed teacher I was able to take an early retirement and decided to take a leap of faith and open up Living & Learning.”

Currently at Living & Learning: Social groups of all ages are being formed, summer camps are being formed. Music therapy, art therapy, speech therapy is available. (private and groups sessions) Rock band class for young adults is forming. Tutoring and other therapies and groups available, call now to reserve your spot! Visit website or call for more information.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Living & Learning is seeking high school students to serve as Volunteer Mentors with special needs clients. Training is provided. Call for more information!

LOCATION: 150 Mary Alexander Ct, Northville, MI 48167

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Telephone: 248.308.3592, e-mail: <livingandlearningllc@gmail.com> Website: http://www.livingandlearningllc.com Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!