"Rachael has been working with Drew for a couple years, and this summer has worked with him specifically to impact growth in social ability and get him ready for middle school. She has great enthusiasm for what she is doing, and is very creative in her approach to brainstorm ways in which a child could be taught to “blend” in the school setting as well as social settings.
Rachael thinks “outside the box” in helping AS kids. Her idea of peer models is an revolutionary, practical teaching method to help AS pre-teens and teens learn the skills needed to navigate the complicated school setting in a way in which the teen responds. After the summer, family members have noticed a difference in how Drew carries himself. He has gained some confidence in understanding some of the social rules and even what may be ahead of him in the school setting. She is not afraid to deal with very practical issues of body language, phrases used among teens and boy/girl relationships.
Her expertise has been a great blessing to us as we continue to help our son navigate through life."
-Lisa Cameron, Parent
"When Rachael came into my son’s life, he had just finished third grade. He had also just exhausted his fourth aide, fourth behavior support specialist, and essentially warn out his “welcome” at the local public school. Rachael was able to inconspicuously observe my son, make astute and accurate observations and implement, for the first time, successful behavior plans. Additionally, Rachael was able to instantly and permanently establish a rapport with my son where no one before or since has succeeded! Rachael’s expertise extends beyond my own child. Children as young as five and as old as fourteen have benefited from Rachael guidance. Rachael has a knack for knowing how to connect with children who have so many different temperaments. She is able to establish and maintain the trust and confidence that is essential to working with children on the spectrum. While many can talk of social skills development, Rachael is able to teach it, and promote it not just to the students/children “on the spectrum” but to the benefit of I any child who walks through her door. It is both a pleasure and a testament to see so many children blossom in the environment that Rachael creates—through fun activities like K’NEX Club, Lunch Bunch, Connections, or social skills camps."
-G. Smith M.Ed.
Mother and School Psychologist
My name is Annmarie Serratore. I have been working with Michael Cavallaro and Adele Saccarelli Cavallaro for many years with my personal growth. The following is a testimonial to the work they both have done with my son Aidan.
My son Aidan Canan was born April 24th 2000. He was five weeks early, under six pounds and from the start he struggled with being here. Aidan was born with a cleft lip and was in need of surgery. He needed to be at least fifteen pounds to have surgery. Aidan was not able to put on weight and the doctors ran many tests on him to find the cause. The tests were inconclusive and he was eating but not enough weight gain was occurring. I tried everything.
When Aidan was two months old we were camping with Michael. At some point Michael asked to hold Aidan. As Michael was holding him something amazing was occurring between them and the spirit guides I felt present. I was a witness to what follows.
Aidan became alert and alive in his body. His eyes sparkled and he was babbling (baby talk) with Michael and looking behind Michael smiling and laughing. Michael was talking with Aidan and the guides and this went on for a while. Afterwards Michael told me Aidan was unsure and scared of being here. Aidan made a choice to stay and do this. Michael told me to watch him now and see if there is any change.
That very night, Aidan awoke in the middle of the night and downed a bottle like never before! He was bright and in his eyes and watching the trees above him in wonderment. After this Aidan packed on the pounds and amazed the doctors. Of course I knew what happened for I was there. He was able to have surgery to repair his cleft lip. And in fact has had far less surgeries then anticipated! Again the cleft surgeons were amazed at his progress. Over the years Aidan has touched upon emotional and social difficulties. He was tested at age six and showed signs of Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD tendencies. He was not labeled for the tests themselves were inconclusive.
Aidan has worked with both Michael and Adele over the years. I also work with both Michael and Adele and I am able to work with Aidan and guide him with the many tools I have learned for myself. Aidan has come a long way! His social skills and blending with others have become more mainstream, a long way from his previous obsession with animals and dinosaurs. At one time Aidan would answer people with animal or dinosaur noises and use these noises when he was uncomfortable within himself.
Aidan is now a functional and well developing eight year old boy. He understands the consequences of socially not blending with his peers and makes appropriate choices with his behaviors. Aidan has expressed that he wants to change and be happy inside. He is in second grade and has academically made major shifts. Aidan has many friends and can now transition better as topics and situations change. He is truly coming into his own self and I see his spirit blooming! Thanks you to Michael Cavallaro, Adele Saccarelli Cavallaro and TWW for all their efforts with myself and my son Aidan.
Annmarie Serratore
4/1/08