I applaud the article, “A different approach” (Star-Advertiser, July 22), that offered insight into a proven program in educating children with learning disabilities.

Now known as Assets School, medical personnel at Tripler Army Medical Center established the Armed Services Special Education and Training School (ASSETS) in 1955 to treat military children with diagnosed learning disabilities. Today it is open to any qualified child, including the gifted.

After years of struggling through public schools, Assets diagnosed our grandson with dyslexia and quickly transformed him from a child “hating” school to one loving every classroom minute. Today he is a distinguished college graduate and a high-functioning citizen.

Unfortunately, a sizable number of schoolchildren remain untested for learning disabilities. Many are failing and subject to daily classroom ridicule and bullying. I would encourage parents to seek professional testing for children who have difficulty reading or attention problems, or are just not doing well in school.

Perhaps the state Department of Education could discuss a partnership that would afford these children a deserved opportunity to learn under a proven program.

Charles Ota

Aiea

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