"I'm just happy I FINALLY did something right!" -Helen Zimmerman, Good Shepherd Home
"We can't say enough about how wonderful this program is and how much ours boys enjoy it!! Sarah and her staff are AWESOME!!!! If you choose to do art or athletics you won't be disappointed!!!"
-Heather Holly, Mother of Logan & Harrison
"Ms. Megan has gained John's trust. She has developed a relationship with him, quickly recognizing his quirks and needs to attend and complete a given art project... We are truly grateful that Awakening Minds Art is an option for not only special needs individuals, but also for others who seek/need this kind of therapy that 'awakens' the mind and allows for creativity and growth in many other areas of life." -Dr. Stan & Lela Doty
“AMA is Ally’s ‘HAPPY PLACE’! She loves to paint, draw and sculpt, but it is more than just art for her. Ally is developing social skills, better hand-eye coordination, increasing her fine & gross motor abilities and showing pride in her accomplishments. Her work is truly amazing, but the new skills and confidence she gains while at AMA is the true reward!" -Lesley R. (Ally’s Mom)
As a mother of a "sensational kid".....
...I cannot begin to tell you just how AMAZING AMA is! We met with Sarah to set up a sensory outlet for our six year old son after learning that our insurance would no longer cover occupational therapy. (This was our first out of the box therapy.) What Tristen got was much more than just a sensory outlet. He found something that he felt good at and something he could be proud of. One of his first paintings was a Best of Show winner at the state fair... Talk about boosting self confidence! AMA has really helped Tristen with his anxieties and self doubt... He is eagerly trying new things including martial arts and baseball. We have a strong sense of community thanks to AMA. Tristen loves all of his art teachers and coaches. Each one of them embraces his true character and encourages him to keep discovering. He also likes meeting kids who are different... And kids who are like him. AMA gets to know individuals and families and has provided us with numerous resources. It has been a huge help for us as we journey through the Sensory Processing Disorder ups and downs ... We are glad to be apart of the AMA family! -Heather Swinehart, mother of Tristen
In the Classrooms "This guided experience requires the students to have some self-control and patience, while listening to the instructor and following each step.... Overall, through our sessions with Awakening Minds Art, my students have shown personal growth and acquired self-esteem while expressing themselves in a creative way! I am truly grateful for these experiences for my students and proud of their many accomplishments! -Mrs. Martie Andrews, FHS Intervention Specialist
"OH MY GOSH! I HAVE SUCH GREAT THINGS TO SAY..."
"Oh my gosh!!! I have such great things to say about Megan. She was kind, sweet, and mostly, she recognized when my Mom was unable to make a decision. She helped narrow down the choices of paint down to 3 which helped, she showed Mom what to do and didn't do it for her. I was most impressed when Megan saw my Mom struggling with the location of the bottom of the paper. She quickly and sweetly came up with an alternative and Mom was happy. I'm thoroughly impressed….even more than I already was!" -Kim Harless, Daughter of Sandra
HOMESCHOOL ART "Can I just say how impressed I am with how much they learn? When they come home they are always repeating everything they learned that day! There's no way I could have taught them any of this! This is a wonderful asset to our family to have the ability to learn these things that I am not gifted in." -Jessica Marsh, Homeschool Parent
“Thomas loves Awakening Minds Art to the point that he now tells everyone he wants to be an artist when he grows up! Instead of fussing with fidgets at school, he now doodles. He also prefers to draw before bed, and limiting iPad time for drawing has become the new norm for us!” -Melanie (Thomas’s Mom)
"It tells my residents they are worth something, they are still able to give to life, and they have meaning." -Tammy Point, Activities Director Lima Manor
UNDERSTANDING ABILITIES "Sarah is excellent in communicating and understanding my wife's needs. She is an extremely patient, compassionate, and genuine person who truly cares for people. Sarah's knowledge and explanations helped me understand my wife's abilities in a new way through the program." Don (spouse of Phyllis) The Heritage, Findlay Ohio