For school students with special needs, extra help is available at Seven Stars Achievement Center.
Specifically, the after-school program is for children who have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, dyslexia or Down Syndrome. The program is throughout the year and includes a summer program.
For the 2008-2009 year Seven Stars offers programs in these four areas: Language Arts, Behavioral Arts, Performing Arts and Fine Arts.
Susan Morey, who owns and operates Seven Stars, said programs students go into depend on their needs. They are first assessed and then put into programs depending on the skills that need improvement.
In the behavioral arts program, students use roll playing to learn how to handle different situations. They go on an outing once a week. When they go miniature golfing, for example, they practice ways to show good sportsmanship.
In the performing arts program, students work on balance and comprehension. ‘The theater program helps profoundly,? Morey said. ‘You have accountability of getting on stage and have to remember and recite lines. It helps with social skills.?
Some kids end up attending Seven Stars twice a week while others might be there every day.
‘Comprehension in the language arts is critical for them,? she said. ‘If they lag in this area, we put them into programs that get them up to speed and give them the skills they need. Some have problems accessing the information that’s in their brain while some struggle getting the information into their brain. That’s what these programs are for.?
Morey estimated 99 percent of students who come in have some sort of behavioral disorder and spend a lot of their time at school in the principal’s office. For those who lack social skills, they tend to act out and get into trouble. For these types of kids, Morey implements techniques she learned from a California training program that teaches kids to understand where their brakes are and how to make better choices. The students learn triggers, such as a look, a snapping of the fingers or placement of the hand, designed to ‘trigger? certain types of thinking.
When they do, things start to improve.
‘You can’t learn if you’re in the office,? she explained. ‘They’re not as apt to be missing lessons. They can stay in program and act like they’re supposed to. As time goes on, kids learn to do things themselves.?
When they’re in groups, they do a lot of cheering to encourage each other and create a family-style atmosphere. This way, Morey said, students see they’re not alone in their special needs.
Seven Stars, named after the Biblical passages in Revelation referring to seven stars, normally features seven kids in a group. ‘I consider them my seven little stars,? Morey said, who added the tuition is affordable.
Possible future guest speakers will include police officers (to speak about anger management and the possible consequences) along with pastors.
While the achievement center serves special needs children, it may soon offer workshops for the parents and providers of these children.
‘We’re thinking of small groups for parents to get together for a support group since they tell me there’s nothing in Lake Orion, Oxford and Clarkston and they have to go to Oakland University,? Morey said. ‘This way, parents can share and converse about their situations. Many of them are involved with clinics and doctors and have wonderful news to share.
The Seven Stars Achievement Center is located in Oxford on 837 South Lapeer Road. For more information, call 810-441-9450.