I highly recommend Darlene DeMaria as an Educational Therapist. Our son has mild dyslexia and auditory processing challenges. He saw Darlene in 5th ~ 8th grade for remediation and learning skills development. Darlene’s approach uses a mix of physical and mental brain re-wiring exercises, coping techniques for dealing with learning challenges and sensory stimulation with aromatherapy.
When our son first saw Darlene in 5th grade, he could not do homework on his own and had difficulty following a conversation. By the time he graduated from 8th grade, he had developed a stronger voice and was confident in his ability to produce quality work. Darlene’s work with our son helped him become an independent learner able to enjoy school and homework. He is now in Serra High School, thriving and received all A’s on his first semester report card!
We attribute much of our son’s confidence and desire to push himself to the support he received from Darlene. Not only is she educated in her profession but a caring relationship with our son was also developed. He will always remember Darlene as a support figure who had a great impact on his growth and development into the young man he has become.
~ Beth, Parent ~
I've been proud to know Darlene DeMaria professionally for many years. Like many experienced Educational Therapists, Darlene has extensive knowledge of the many causes of children's learning difficulties and of the many methods to help students overcome their obstacles. What sets Darlene apart from others, however, is her extraordinarily acute sensitivity to children's feelings and her ability to help students feel very safe and free to express themselves and to explore new ways to learn. The root of the word EDUCATE means to "draw out" and Darlene is unmatched in her ability to draw out children's whole selves in participating in their growing skills. She puts all her love and her care into her work with her students. It's no wonder that over the years I've received many grateful "Thank you" phone calls from parents after referring them to Darlene.
~William J. Driscoll, MS ET/P MFT~
Educational Therapist Specializing in Mathematics
Our son is in pre-K and we sought educational therapy due to concerns about his learning and our desire to intervene early. We are so grateful we found Darlene. She has worked with him over the past six months and we have been absolutely blown away—not only by our son’s progress, but also by Darlene’s dedication to him and to her craft. Her approach is thoughtful, intentional, and truly an art.
We deeply appreciate how attentive she is to every aspect of our son’s development—academic, social-emotional, and physical—and how seamlessly she integrates all of these elements into her work with him. Her support is comprehensive and individualized, meeting him exactly where he is while gently challenging him to grow.
Our son bonded with Darlene very quickly and asks every day if he gets to see her. That speaks volumes, especially considering that their sessions often involve tasks that are challenging for him. She creates an environment where he feels safe, supported, and capable.
We have seen his confidence grow in leaps and bounds. His teachers have commented on how much more engaged and participatory he has become in the classroom. We are so grateful for the foundation Darlene is helping him build and are hopeful that, with her continued support and responsiveness to his evolving needs, he will continue to feel positive about learning—and about himself.
~Kate, Parent