"The benefits of inclusion have well exceed our expectations."

We are part of the founding team of IDEAL, and we strongly believed that our son Max would thrive if given the opportunity to go to school with his typically developing peers in a warm, individualized, and differentiated inclusive program. This has indeed happened - academically, Max is flourishing and he has developed a curiosity and love of learning that is contagious! Perhaps the most wonderful outcome of inclusion, however, has been the friendships that have formed among the children. The absolute acceptance that the students have of one another has moved us to tears. While the children are all aware of one anothers' differences, they embrace them without judgment or prejudice. They help one another and encourage a classmate if he or she is having difficulty with something. They also cherish one anothers' strengths and celebrate their classmates' progress.  Children with and without special needs hold hands, run together in the park, work on science projects together, and have playdates. In this regard, the benefits of inclusion - to our son and also to the greater community and society at large - have well exceeded our expectations.

Audra Zuckerman and Mitch Rubin, Parents and Co-founders