These folks are amazing. Camps, weekend, homeschool, and after school opportunities to play role…read moreplay games AND learn to explore relationships, creativity, and imagination through story. My kids are so into this.

From the owner: The Game Academy empowers learners to achieve social, emotional and academic success through our…read moreuse of role-playing games in educational contexts. We engage imaginations with interactive games wherein communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking are the keys to unlocking adventures in learning. Our curriculum is designed to help them make enduring connections between what they know, what they are learning, and what is possible. Most importantly, our games are designed to be FUN! The Game Academy provides an engaging and enriching way for children to play in a structured, creative environment. We craft inspiring, immersive game-experiences that translate into powerful tools of reflection for understanding the world and the self.

Tarah has presented several workshops at both Merritt College & Chabot College to Early Childhood…read moreprofessionals and cross disciplinary faculty & staff. She is an amazing presenter! Her Participant evaluations are consistently outstanding. As the Vice President of Chabot I have received multiple requests for her to present to other groups because her workshops are interactive & transformational. I highly recommend Start Dialog to any institution that is looking to 'start dialog' about difficult issues about diversity & equity.

Tarah came to work with our preschool & facilitate a family workshop about taking with kids about…read morerace & identity. She brings an approach that includes gender identity & other identities without shying away from important conversations about race. She had great family friendly materials & tailored the workshop to exactly what we needed & was easy to work with. She is a skillful & committed facilitator & I hope we'll get to work with her again soon!

My son is now a different person thanks to Lina!…read more Before we met Lina: We found out my younger son, Yi, had speech & fine motor delay when he was 15 months old. Early intervention started when he was 18 months old, followed by OT, ST and PT. Then he got the ASD diagnosis at 2-year old and ABA started two months later. However, with all the helps from all the therapists, no one was able to help Yi establish eye contact or help him learn to point. I got perhaps half a second eye contact with Yi in an entire month. Even when we had it, I was not sure because it was so brief - I thought it could be just me imagining things. Yi had many tantrums a day, very intense. He's in pain, we were in pain, every single day. When we met Lina: Day 1: within half an hour, Lina helped Yi establish SOLID eye contact with me!! I almost cried! He saw me! Day 2: Yi started to point, thanks to Lina! Before meeting Lina, I felt so overwhelmed and didn't know what I should focus on. Lina helped me prioritize and establish a plan for the next steps. - Thanks for Lina's push, I started the GCCF diet right after the training. Yi used to vomit when he had tantrum and cried a lot, which happened on a daily basis. A week after cutting out milk, Yi's vomiting stopped. - I signed up and took Hanen program "More Than Words" parents training, thanks to Lina's recommendation. It was another really helpful program that helped us a lot. Soon after meeting Lina, Yi's eye contact dramatically increased (we adopted the same method from Lina and taught all other therapists to do the same). He learned to point to communicate his needs. His vomiting stopped. With all these changes, Yi's tantrum greatly reduced. Yi has transformed from a suffering child living in his own iron bubble to a cheerful little boy who opens up to the outside world. I can't say enough thank you to Lina! She took time to understand my son, and gave us individualized trainings based on Yi's unique needs. You can tell this is not just a job for her. It's something that she cares deeply and passionate about and she's highly competent. We lived in the South Bay and I work full time. I'm so glad I made the decision to take time off from work and brought Yi with me to see Lina. It was the best decision I made and time really well spent.

We have been seeing Lina for a few years and she has been both an instrumental "boots on the…read moreground" and "eye in the sky" when it comes to our autistic son. I cannot think of any higher praise that I could provide other than she is the model of what I think an excellent consultant is; knowledgeable, experienced, practical, compassionate, passionate, and responsive. Her services are truly valuable, both for my son, and our family as a whole. Having someone in your corner with the above skillset is hard to find in any profession, let alone the autistic one, and I recommend you not lose her number.

Jai at LifeWorks has been transformative for our son. He is not just a tutor but a counselor,…read moreadvisor and friend. He is a trusted adult for our son where he feels comfortable sharing his struggles with school. Based on that trust Jai can help guide and provide first class educational support. My son now loves math! Thank you!

Jai and his team worked with my daughter throughout high school. Through this experience, my…read moredaughter benefited from meaningful mentorship that went beyond specific subject matters. With their guidance and support, she built confidence in her intellectual abilities - all of which has helped her as she navigates college and the next chapter in her life. Highly recommend!

My son recently attended a Roots to Branches Summer Camp and loved it. The camp was held throughout…read moreMarin, primarily in the GGNRA/Marin Headlands, a wonderful use of the beautiful area we live in! We recently moved into the area it was a great way for my son to meet new friends in. In addition, the facilitators were awesome, fun, very supportive and helpful. Such a great camp that we look forward to participating in the Roots to Branches yearlong program this year! Thanks!

My soon to be 13 year old son attended this years R2B summer camp and I wish I could give more than…read more5 stars as it really does deserve it. From the time the boys all met up on day one and clicked immediately with Armando taking lead to Zach coming in as well and creating a very different vibe to make the boys feel so welcome. Power tools, Lasar tag, making shelters, building fires, storytelling, and fun games on the beaches of the Marin Headlands were just some of the weeks activities. I have to say my son came home everyday with a smile on his face from ear to ear. He is already asking me when the year long program will begin! Please don't hesitate signing your child up for any program with Roots to Branches as what Armando and Zach are creating for our children as they become young adults in a very different and sometimes challenging world is so very needed and important. Thank you R2B!! Jackie H.

Walt from Walt's Adventures here at Star Academy in San Raphael, California…read more Everyone learns differently in their own right but when they need specialized learning, they are classified as special education. Star Academy is not just a non public school going through the motions to enhance the education of their students. Instead, Star Academy is a school with specialized educators and a full team of specialists all sharing the same goal... the educational excellence of their student body. Their levels include not only junior high but high school and has everything that any other school has during their academic years. If your child needs bussing, they are accommodating, counseling, therapy, it can be found all on site. If your child learns differently, then I recommend this institution. I have entrusted them with my own daughter and I dare say that I have never once regretted my decision.

My son has gone to Star for most of his school years, and from elementary to high school, it has…read morebeen a wonderful experience with supportive, knowledgeable and loving educators and administrators. Kids are given instruction tailored to their individual needs, levels and learning styles. Social growth and friendships are also fostered. Kids feel safe and seen and their interests and talents are encouraged. If you have a child who learns differently, I'd highly recommend Star.