The Learning Clinic

Posted: August 3, 2026

My son (residental student) was prohibited from calling me for a week as a "loss of privledge" for swearing. I removed him from the school as soon as he told me about what happened in that week.

He was in complete isolation, not allowed to speak or his isolation would be prolonged. He was only allowed out for academics in a secluded room, or for toileting/hygiene with an escorts.

He was not a danger. He was not aggressive. He has asked me not to speak about the rest of that week.

I hope a formal investigation is done into this school.

Posted: August 3, 2026

Posted: August 3, 2026

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Posted: July 11, 2025

My son gets personalized help and the class size is small, which creates an encouraging place for him to learn. The specials are one of the best parts of the school. There are a lot of opportunities for him to be creative in technology, performing arts, music, and art. He also also get hands-on experiences on the school’s farm and in the greenhouse. He has a daily social skills workshop which helps him build friendships. He was bullied at other schools but now that he's going to the Learning Clinic, he has friends and everyone talks to him. The staff are very supportive, and it’s the best place for him to go.

Posted: July 11, 2025

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Posted: March 1, 2020

My child was bullied at this school and no one told me! My child almost died!

Posted: March 1, 2020

This school does not offer homework. Eight hour school day with a ___ hour bus ride. . .

Posted: March 1, 2020

The good ones are amazing and worth their weight in gold! Unfortunately, they are few and far between!

Posted: March 1, 2020

Several students told me how they would "game the system". Honesty is punished . . . Unique ideas are squashed.

Posted: March 1, 2020

Posted: March 1, 2020

They do not live in the real world and do not teach or encourage children to do so. Again, unique ideas are squashed. Steve Jobs would have suffered at this school!

Posted: December 30, 2018

Posted: December 30, 2018

DCF substantiated physical neglect by the educational administrator Linda Baade towards my child. She was arrested for Risk of Injury to a minor and 2nd degree child endangerment

Posted: December 30, 2018

Posted: December 30, 2018

Posted: December 30, 2018

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Posted: December 30, 2018

Posted: November 17, 2018

No. They support leftist ideology; good luck to you if you do not agree.

Posted: November 17, 2018

Very sad experience that cannot be changed.

Posted: March 23, 2018

This staff at this school have been able to get a crisis situation under control with my child.

Posted: March 23, 2018

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Posted: September 27, 2017

Absolutely not. The school ignores bullying until they are forced to deal with it, which just about never happens. Then they blame the "most likely suspect". More than a few students have been bullied by teachers, not only other students.

Posted: September 27, 2017

They do not give homework. ETA character count.

Posted: September 27, 2017

Favorites get special treatment. Spelling errors (teachers) inappropriate sharing of extra-curricular activities, lack of boundaries, out of whack, innapropritely utilized point system.

Posted: September 27, 2017

The school follows the much outdated behavior modification model; they stifle individual creativity, personal perspective and exploration of the many varied ways of achieving success, in favor of developing obedient, non questioning sheeple.

Posted: September 27, 2017

Effective in advancing their own personal goals perhaps . . .

Posted: September 27, 2017

The school effectively supports square pegs that allow themselves to be dulled to the point of being forced into the round hole.

Posted: September 27, 2017

Deplorable. Minus 0. ETA unnecessary extra words for character count.

Posted: September 2, 2017

Teachers are great and work hard. Management does not always see them as part of a team, resulting in feelings of overwork and discontent. Staff often go above and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of the program and students, but are seldom recognized by the administration for their efforts. The school is run as a business; saving money can and does sometimes supersede meeting the needs of students and staff. The program is highly individualized, but recent staff reductions have resulted in program inefficiencies. During the 2016-2017 school year, there was no secondary school social studies teacher and the youngest elementary students went the whole year with an extremely dedicated instructional assistant as their teacher; no certified special education teachers were hired to replace the two that left a week prior to the start of school.

Posted: September 2, 2017

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Posted: September 2, 2017

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Posted: September 2, 2017

Posted: July 11, 2017

This school provided a relatively safe environment in which I could learn how to get along with others, but that's pretty much all they had to offer. The textbooks are over three decades old, and the school has a nice arts building and a pool, but no library or cafeteria. I spent over 4 years there, and they made no effort to improve their academics or their policies. Moreover, they appear to be downsizing, and given the decreasing number of students and staff, I suspect (and hope) that the school is about to shut down.

Posted: July 11, 2017

There is no homework, and their policies specifically prohibit it.

Posted: July 11, 2017

It depends on who you get. Unfortunately, the good ones tend to leave within about 2 years.

Posted: July 11, 2017

The director collects data on the students to use in his books. Many of the school's policies seem overly restrictive and the staff members often refuse to explain their purpose.

Posted: July 11, 2017

Most of the clinical staff that I worked with made an effort to meet the needs of the individual students, but the school's blanket policies make it difficult for them to do so.

Posted: July 11, 2017

The only reason a student has ever faced consequences for online bullying is because the victim's parents threatened to call the police. Enforcement of bullying policies is disproportionate; bullying one student may result in a grounding, while bullying another student may not be penalized at all.

Posted: May 20, 2017

Simply not tolerated. By and large, the students who attend this school are not the bullying kind.

Posted: May 20, 2017

Each student moves academically at their own pace with tons of support. Every difference is treated with respect and encouragement.

Posted: May 20, 2017

Posted: May 20, 2017

I could not agree more. Just as important, they graduated with the skills they need to live independently. Many opportunities to show compassion, from the farm to community service. This is a special school. Very positive!

Posted: May 20, 2017

The small class size makes for lots of attention

Posted: May 20, 2017

Rather than toiling away on homework after school, the school has activities for the students to participate in. All the school work was done during class. So helpful!

Posted: May 20, 2017

Both my son and daughter thrived at this wonderful school!

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Simply Awful. Misandry at its finest. Not as advertised. Would not recommend sending any child there. They'll come out worse.

Posted: September 8, 2015

I completely endorse the notion that their are rules everywhere however at the learning clinic there are too many rules and a vast majority of them are arbitrary such as unnecessarily stringent dating policies. rumor spreading runs rampant as there are approximately 75 students staff morale is poor and the ridiculous, disgustingly inappropriate behavior exhibited by the students which directly attributes to a staff turnover rate that is the highest its been at TLC since the schools establishment in 1980

Posted: September 5, 2015

Not recommended. The rules of this school are ridiculous. I know every place has rules, but do you really want your 18-21 child to still be treated like the younger students rules such as no electronics and no "mature" movies, extra supervision, etc? I have seen staff restrain students here too. One of the older girls was crying a lot because she was 21 and still being treated like she was 10. The academic program was pretty good but residentially and clinically it needed some vast improvements.

Posted: July 21, 2015

The Learning Clinic is a very unique school for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and learning disabilities that require small class sizes and individualized clinical services. Our school is not for every student and admissions are highly selective. For those students who are determined to thrive in a highly structured environment, that need help with fundamental social skills, the program does wonders.

Regarding the question of restraints and administrative data collection, including video and audio, both occur, but not for disciplinary purposes. Restraints take place during instances when a student is in the process of, or is about to self-harm. All staff are certified in Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) protocols and follow all state regulations. With respect to data collection, this is performed to track a student's progress, identify behaviors to address, and track effects of medication changes. I was unnerved to find cameras in every classroom when I started at the school, but believe in them as a tool more school systems should utilize. When trying to help with student behaviors video and audio can be reviewed to identify lead-up events and develop techniques for teachers and students to address altercations.

From a staff point of view, some of the criticisms regarding communication and facilities are legitimate. It is a small school, many teachers perform roles that in public schools are often handled by dedicated staffers. With the facilities, again, a small school with limited resources. Buildings built for one purpose are repurposed for another leaving a less than desirable layout. Criticism of teachers, on the other hand, is less founded. Working with students with Autism is a tall order for any teacher. Faculty here work for less compensation and more hours than public school teachers. Some get frustrated with students (as any parent of an autistic child can attest to) but being strict with rules is part of the program. If a student does not perform well with the level of structure they will have conflicts with teachers and staff.

This is a good school that specializes in individualized education plans. Some students can go on to college but many cannot. What the school does right is help students cope with their impulses so they can function more normally in society.

Posted: September 29, 2014

terrible sdchool students are treated like prisoners and slaves and if they dont want to do something they will be restrained

Posted: July 11, 2014

TLC has been a miracle for our son and our family as a whole. He entered the program just after 7th grade, about a year ago. After years of traumatic and unsuccessful school experiences--at both public and private day schools--our son is FINALLY thriving. At one point he thought he would not live to the age of 12. Now he is talking about college, work, etc. Now he has a future. Is the program structured? Absolutely! but the rules (and consequences for breaking them) are not arbitrary. Through the structure and point system he is learning how to live productively and independently, learn successfully, take new risks, and grow in every way. Apart from some communication issues (our only complaint) this school has been life-changing for our son--and the rest of our family. STRONGLY recommended!!!

Posted: July 1, 2014

unfortunately, over the past year this school has immensly struggled, and is going to a really bad place. i mean yes they boast a farm/equestrian program that cannot be rivaled and yes they have individulised work curriculim however, there are a lot of arbitrary rules and some of the staff seem to take advantage of the students via the point system and the" flow" chart while TLC is definately not as bad as lets say a place like chamberlain but, it is certatianly nothing spectacular

Posted: June 22, 2014

My son had a very difficult time in public school and this is his first year at TLC. He has had a wonderful experience and actually likes school for the first time. He loves his teacher and therapist and they both have been so wonderful with communicating with my husband and I. My son is extremely structure dependent, so for him the rules at TLC are just what he needs. I agree with another parent who said that in life there are many rules that we all need to adhere to. I have found that TLC has been very receptive to my son advocating for himself and at TLC he has found his voice and feels that he is no longer invisible. We continue to be thrilled with the gains our son has made during his first year at TLC.

Posted: June 5, 2014

I am a parent of a current TLC student. My child has been at the school for 3 years now and is thriving in the program. There was a time that I wasn't sure if we would ever see a high school graduation and now I know that not only will my child graduate but go on to college. I have seen many reviews about there being to many rules. Such is life. There are rules and laws everywhere and these children need the structure and guidance that TLC provides. What child is going to say "oh I love all these rules" ? Of course they don't like rules. They don't like the rules at home either. I recently read a review that claimed that students do not have a voice and are restrained for not agreeing with the rules. I am actually appalled by this statement. In 3 years, I have NEVER seen a child restrained and if they do disagree with a rule or decision they are encouraged to advocate for themselves not act like a brat that didn't get their own way. TLC is preparing different types of children to become mature, responsible members of our society. I actually think the children at TLC are more polite and courteous than most public school children!!!!

Posted: May 20, 2014

TLC Inc. has a strong program that has been successful with so many students. I have seen students go on to be productive members of society. The students look like they enjoy their classroom studies and recreational activities. Shy, less social students come out of their shells in the caring and supportive environment created by the dedicated staff who really do have the students best interest at heart. Every school has it's own issues but at The Learning Clinic, continuous improvement is what we work towards every day. I would have no problem with sending my child to this school.

Posted: April 24, 2014

I would not recommend this school. Contrary to what people may believe, it is really designed for youth with behavioral or emotional problems beyond Asperger's/PDD/LD's. The students were not very social or friendly to prospective students. It is very strict there are a lot of unnecessary rules, even for the oldest or most advanced students. They don't get s voice in anything and they get physically restrained for disagreeing with the rules. I only went for a tour and visit and I could tell it was not a good place. The girl leading the tour sounded rehearsed as she had no emotion in her voice. Pretty much all they talk to me about was their endless list of rules.

Posted: October 4, 2012

Simply Awful. Misandry at its finest. Not as advertised. Would not recommend sending any child there. They'll come out worse.