LDND Foundation is completely free for students, parents and professionals. The need for this site came about when April Miller and Michael Daley were running a traditional IEC practice. After working in this industry, conducting research and building alliances with other professionals, we decided that we needed to do more! The gap between the students who can, and those who can't, afford to pay for a package with a professional Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) to guide them through college planning, needed to be addressed. LDND Foundation was born to level the playing field!
We realized that some people need more help with the Higher Education planning process than what they can learn from a website. Therefore we also created, “LD College Expert.” This site is a “pay as you go,” personalized service that you pay for hourly. There is no long-term commitment, so we meet you where you are at in the process and guide you on whatever next steps you need assistance with.
There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. Sign Up to hear from us about specials, sales, and events.
With over 20 years of experience working in Education, April Miller brings her expertise in working with Neurodivergent students and their families to LDND Foundation. Her educational background includes a Master's Degree in Communication Disorders earned from Ithaca College, and a Certificate in College Counseling awarded from UCLA with Distinction. April is a Nationally Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), with direct clinical pediatric experience working with diverse clients from birth to 18 years old. As a Clinical Faculty member at both the University of Washington in Seattle and Towson University in Baltimore, April has facilitated the clinical competencies of undergraduate and graduate students in the management of diagnostic and treatment remediation for pediatric clients. As a Clinical Instructor at Maalot Baltimore, April also taught undergraduate courses in both Speech and Language Development and in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Language Disorders.
April is a Hybrid Professional, and as such, her collective experience in her initial career has empowered her as she pivoted from working as a Speech-Language Pathologist, (SLP), to becoming an Independent Educational Consultant, (IEC). April is the owner and Lead IEC in her consulting practice, "LD College Expert." April has come full circle in her career; when she was in graduate school 25 years ago, she pioneered a Mentoring Program for undergraduate students with Learning Disabilities to be paired with upperclass peers with the same LD for support in transitioning to college. This program still exists today! April's passion and purpose is to empower students to find their own voice, use it for self-advocacy and then actualize their dreams!
With over 25 years in the Information Technology field, Michael retired from McKinsey & Company to move to Florida and pursue his passions by working with animal charities. After working for two dog rescues, Michael felt that he wasn't contributing enough, and launched his own horse rescue. Michael developed a Riding Program for students on the Autistic Specturm to help them develop confidence. That drew him into wanting to do more to help students with LDND. Becoming the Co-Founder of LDND Foundation empowers Michael to add value to the lives of many LDND students as they pursue Higher Education.
Topic: Helping Neurodivergent StudentsTransition to College
For the past 21 years my son has unknowingly recited this poem to me every day.
***
~ Autism doesn't mean broken
it means "Incandescent smile."
it means "Courage beyond measure."
it means "Watch this!"
it means "Don't you dare doubt me.
it means "This is a world of miracles."
it means "Different is beautiful."
it means "Hope endures."
it means " Unashamed!"
it means "My story is still be written."
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "Life is a flowerbed of countless unique colors."
it means "Burning heart."
it means "Love don't stop."
it means "I have dignity."
it means "I'm more than my diagnosis.
it means "I’m the Angel of joy."
it means "The art of living in the present moment."
it means "Raw honesty."
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "Obstacles don't scare me."
it means "Let me teach you how to forgive."
it means "Sunflower in the desert."
it means "A living example of wonderment."
it means "The mastery of gratitude."
it means "My goodness can't be obscured."
it means "Whenever I face a wall I build a door."
it means "My life is a song."
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "I shall not be judged."
it means "Happiness is the journey not the destination."
it means "Please don't give up on me."
it means "My light inside is just as bright as yours."
it means "I see souls."
it means "Be patient with me."
it means "I fight every day."
it means "Better get out of my way!"
it means "Nothing will stop me."
it means "I'm worthy."
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "Created to be an instrument."
it means "Listen to my eyes."
it means "A stretching ripple of grace."
it means "Unafraid."
it means "Deserving of love."
it means "Patron Saint of the rising sun."
it means "Don't leave me behind."
it means "I'm still in here."
it means "Howling fearlessness."
it means "Let me show you how to change the world."
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "Every breath is a gift."
it means "Proof of the human spirit."
it means "Open hands."
it means "Vessel of strength."
it means "Don't tell me what I can't do."
it means "Every second counts."
it means "Adventure."
it means "A psalm of the furious rejoice!"
it means "Kissed by heaven."
it means "Defying expectations."
it means "I will not be hidden!"
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "Wild drum solo!"
it means "You don't have to understand me to love me."
it means "Honored Warrior."
it means "Daylight peeking through trees."
it means "Your expectations don't concern me."
it means "Mountain climber."
it means "Covered in blossoms."
it means "Eternal spring."
it means "I never met an enemy."
it means "Bet on me."
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "My veins run with gold and fire."
it means "I can't wait to prove them wrong."
it means "Butterfly in a cocoon."
it means "Dance with me."
it means "I make my own paths!"
it means "I don't need your pity."
it means "A lighthouse on the shore of compassion."
it means "Let me tell you my dreams!"
it means "I walk through fire every damned day."
it means "Fear is no match for willpower”
~ Autism doesn’t mean broken
it means "I will be your living poem."
it means "Just believe in me!"
it means "I can do anything."
it means "Don't be afraid of me."
it means "If you let me I can teach you peace."
it means "Yes, I matter."
it means "I keep getting back on my feet."
it means "The Sermon of Silver Linings."
it means "Nothing is wrong with me."
it means "Treasure hunter."
it means "Radiating zest!
autism means "My heart isn't a broken puzzle pieces - it's a mosaic of sacred stained glass painting the hardwood floors of this world with the divine light.
autism means "Go ahead and sing - I'm going to play the holy hell out of these drums!"
autism means I will always
find a light in the dark
that is what autism is
~ john roedel (johnroedel.com)
“My daughter is very intelligent and attends the best high school in the county. However, her ADHD often gets in the way of her maximizing her potential at school. After working with April Miller a handful of times, she was something like: transformed. After one such meeting, she marched in her room and closed the door. Three hour later, she emerged, her brown eyes sparkling, and invited me in. Her room had been completely reimagined and reorganized. My daughter was inspired and the dark cloud of fear and pressure she had been carrying for years had completely left her. I was flabbergasted as a professional psychotherapist and a dedicated mom, to see that my own teen could shift so dramatically from a handful of meetings. In her conversations with Apri Miller she simply found a few possible paths grounded in reality. This is something she hadn’t dared to dream could even exist. April put real world data in her hands and showed how it all pointed to a plethora of potential career opportunities. For the first time she was not only not afraid of her future, she became an active participant in reaching for it, with excitement and confidence. As a mom, I could not have dreamed of a better outcome!”
- Parent from Orange County, California
“I took a summer leadership course with April which taught me a lot about engagement in meaningful extracurricular activities. The course was in a fun learning format. April created a comfortable environment in which I could express my opinions and feelings easily. I appreciated April’s ability to find ways to match my strengths and encourage growth. Since taking the course, I have joined two clubs at my school: It's Academic and the Environmental Club. April stays in touch with me, and she recommended a Jewish Leadership Program for me. I applied, and even though I got waitlisted, the organization told me about a different opportunity that I am going to participate in! Now she is helping me with my college list. I’m glad that I have her as a guide to help me with college planning!
- Student from Baltimore, Maryland
"April is amazing! She is a walking database of knowledge on educational needs and resources for students with learning disabilities and neurodiversity. But what stood out more about April is her voracity to help people. She is always forthcoming and excited to share information and her experiences. She guided me through the initial process steps in college admissions counseling for my neurodivergent student and his family. I appreciate the detailed information that April provided in planning and preparing for the meetings. I am immensely grateful for her assistance as I was beginning my career as a college counselor."
- IEC from Seattle, Washington
Our Mission Statement:
We are an Educational Foundation providing strategic resources and guidance to empower adolescents and adults with learning differences and Neurodiversity to pursue higher education and/or career development.
The Process:
Explore Higher Education Pathways/Careers
Review & Implement Website Resources
Choose a path & Crea
Our Mission Statement:
We are an Educational Foundation providing strategic resources and guidance to empower adolescents and adults with learning differences and Neurodiversity to pursue higher education and/or career development.
The Process:
Explore Higher Education Pathways/Careers
Review & Implement Website Resources
Choose a path & Create an Action Plan
LAUNCH!
Contact Us: April@LDNDFoundation.com
An Independent Educational Consultant, aka (IEC), provides students and families with a broad range of strategic resources for the College Planning process. An IEC is not tied to any specific High School or College and has first-hand knowledge of Higher Educational opportunities. An IEC has the time and availability to individualize service delivery according to the needs of each student and family.
Advantages of Working with an IEC...
Paying for a 4-6 year College Education is the biggest investment you will ever make in your offspring! Partnering with a seasoned IEC who knows all of the current trends in Higher Education can lead you through a well organized and efficient college planning process. Covid-19 and the impacts of the pandemic have significantly altered the College Admissions Landscape. We can help you navigate the journey in order to avoid pitfalls and make the wisest investment in your student's higher education.
Membership is open to: students, parents, High School Counselors, Independent Educational Consultants, Teachers / Professors, Therapists and other consumers who would like to receive cutting edge content from guest speakers!
Tell us how we can help you!
Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States
Call: 727-269-0525 (EST) E-mail: april@ldndfoundation.com
Mon | 10:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Tue | 10:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Wed | 10:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Thu | 10:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Fri | 10:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | Closed |
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