Darren was only 3 years old when we consulted and received the assessment of the Developmental Pediatrician. I have to admit that we were heartbroken as Darren has development delays showing some form of Autism. We could not accept the findings because he has siblings who do not have this condition. However, we realized that the sooner we accept and start to do something about it, the better it would be for our son. We took Darren to schools that can provide early intervention and therapy as well. We saw a lot of improvement. However, as the years passed by, Darren started to show some hesitations, seemingly embarrassed to go to a SPED school with much younger kids as his classmates. Even though we already know that Darren will not get a degree via regular academic schooling, my wife and I believe that we should still find a way for him to have a means of livelihood or even a career. We initially checked the ILLC website and asked around about the school. Having known and heard a lot of good things about the school, its teachers and administrators and also the achievements of their students, we became very excited with renewed hope and expectations. Darren was interviewed by Sir Archie and the rest was a blessing from God. In less than a year at ILLC, Darren became active in school again, being with students that are closer to his age. At the age of 15, he also learned a lot of new and practical things/tasks that he can do. Even his talent for dancing was pleasantly explored. He is now part of the school’s dance group (Hunks), and represents ILLC in events outside of school, too. All of us in the family are so proud of Darren and his latest achievements. Looking forward to seeing more of the learning and fun activities for Darren, in preparing him to become a better person and a productive member of the community. I am very optimistic because I can see that ILLC has very capable and genuinely caring educators helping my son and all the other students.

The first time the MBE program was explained to me by Teacher Archie, it gave me hope. Finally, a program for my son to get a certification or even a high school diploma! The thought of it made me excited but the experience we have with ILLC is even more exciting. Their Community Living trips like their visit to the dentist or doctor’s office, and to the barber shop/salon helped my son, Zeki, to overcome his fear of going to those places. He would be the first to volunteer in all these activities. Teacher Dan and Teacher Jas would be at his side to cheer him on. Zeki was able to develop friendships with his classmates and this makes me feel like he is a regular child. Their life skills activities like cooking, bathing and even doing laundry gave me confidence that Zeki could live an independent life in the future. I always look forward to major school events like the Foundation Day, Friendship Cup and the Valentine’s Ball. There would always be special performances by the students. As it was the first time I saw Zeki dance with grace and mastery, it made me cry with joy. Our first year in ILLC was memorable and I am looking forward to our next year because I would want to see Zeki unfold further as a person. I am confident that ILLC has programs that would help him reach his full potential and capabilities. Thank you ILLC!

I came to learn about ILLC when my professor, mentor and thesis adviser; Dr. Ed Dizon from UP-Diliman, told me to request Mr. David to validate the survey instrument I prepared for my thesis. Right after talking with Mr. David and learning his insights about my survey instrument, we also talked a little about ILLC and the programs the school offers. I came to decide that I will recommend ILLC for my niece Yanti who has Down Syndrome. At that time, Yanti was still enrolled in another school. I knew then that ILLC is the perfect educational choice for Yanti. Unfortunately, Yanti had already completely lost interest in going to school. When told to go to school, she would say, “I’m a big girl now! No longer a baby.” This was triggered by the fact that her classmates are of pre-school age when Yanti is already 20 years old. Since my sister died two years ago, Yanti was left under my care. With the concepts I’ve learned and principles I have applied as SPED-Specialist, I knew that ILLC is the answer to my dream of providing the best for her to overcome some inappropriate behaviors previously observed and most important of all, for Yanti to also live a happy and meaningful life with least supervision. I do not expect her to excel academically for I am aware of the limitations a person with Down Syndrome possesses. Our dream for her is beginning to show signs of realization. She has again developed her interest in going to school. She voluntarily initiates doing her assignments now unlike before, and she has friends whom she often mentions when sharing her activities in school. One of the things she has perfected doing is writing her name, name of her school and her section. If in the past, she needed to be pushed to get ready for school, now she does it all voluntarily and hurries up her mama (what she calls her nanny) when she’s ready. Thank you so much to all the ILLC teachers and staff for their dedication, commitment and patience in teaching children like Yanti, especially to teachers Jason and Pat; but most of all thanks to Teacher Archie for his leadership and management. He never fails to connect with the students and continue making a difference in their lives.

The ILLC has helped address behavioral problems of my son, James David especially during the past nine months stay in school. He learned household chores as well as eating his meals, picking up of his plate, spoon, fork and glass then taking them to the kitchen sink, and trying to wash them. Whenever he wants to get a biscuit or snack food from a nearby store, he would ask for money to be able to buy it. We are surprised by the exemplary behavior he is showing us. We receive weekly reports of his work which shows the activities he performed during the week. We appreciate the hard work of the school administrators especially the SPED teachers of James who always monitor and provide regular evaluation. We consider ILLC a second home for our son. Everyone in the school receives him with caring and loving hands every morning and return him every noon in the similar manner. After almost a year of schooling, we are well aware that he is surrounded by the best, well-trained and loving people who do not only care for him but train him to develop his potentials and address his limitations and in the future, learn to live independently. As parents, we have made the right choice to take him to ILLC and for this we want to express our deepest gratitude for the dedication and commitment in teaching him how to become independent and be able to do the self-help management skills.

When our son, Alexis, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, acceptance was never a problem for me and my husband. Defining our goals for Alexis was the next thing we did; and we came up with only one goal: “For him to be able to stand and live for himself when time comes.” When I learned that ILLC will start to accept younger kids with special needs this School Year, I set an appointment with Sir Archie. After the meeting, I told my husband that my mind is set to enroll Alexis to ILLC – and we were not disappointed. Who would have thought that the once stressful activity of going to a supermarket with him would be an enjoyable activity for both of us now? He could now relate that Mango is our National Fruit or that Bangus is our National Fish. These he acquired thru the school’s Home Application Program, wherein he got to experience and apply the lessons learned inside the classroom to his daily life activities. In the Modified Basic Education Program, he now enjoys studying with no pressure because lessons were taught at his own pace. My son still needs help in some aspects but we are not in a hurry; after all, learning is a lifelong process. For the school year that ended, we want to extend our special thanks to Sir Archie, Teacher Nina and most especially to Teacher Anna Margallo, Teacher Sam Pizarro and Kuya Ruel (Teacher Aide) for your love, passion and patience to kids like Alexis. We are looking forward to more fruitful years with you. ILLC has been truly devoted to kids / persons with special needs and also are truthfully working on their promise — “We prepare your child for life.”