transforming fear into hope
welcome to a kid's choice
This journey wasn’t just about JT. It was about every child who has been told they aren’t capable. It was about every parent who has felt the fear, the uncertainty, and the heartbreak of watching their child struggle. It was about changing the system—so no parent ever has to feel as lost as I once did.
That’s why A Kid’s Choice Educational Services Foundation was born.
We take the time to truly understand each child—their struggles, their strengths, their potential. We know that every child is unique, valuable, and special. And we believe that with the right support, they can overcome any obstacle.
At A Kid’s Choice Educational Services, we provide:
+ Comprehensive Literacy Assessments – Identifying learning differences early so your child gets the right interventions.
+ Specialized Instruction & Tutoring – Proven strategies tailored to each child’s unique needs.
+ Homeschool & Parent Support – Helping families create an education plan that works.
+ Professional Development for Teachers – Training educators to better support students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
+ Advocacy & Resources – Because every child deserves a fair chance at success.
If you’re reading this and feeling the same fear I once felt, know this: you are not alone. There is hope. There is a path forward. And we are here to walk it with you.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We can't wait to help your child thrive.
Denise Bankston
Founder, A Kid's Choice Educational Services
Inspired?
Watch Dee & JT's
Entire Journey Here
our story
Watch the heartfelt story of a mother’s relentless fight to help her son overcome the challenges of dyslexia and dysgraphia. From sleepless nights and school rejections to triumph and transformation, Dee’s journey will inspire any parent navigating the fears of a learning disability diagnosis.
SPEECH THERAPY • COLLEGE PREP • TUTORING • HOMESCHOOL SERVICES •
From uncertainty to Hope
A Journey of Transformation for Children with Learning Differences
It starts with a whisper of doubt—a moment of realization that something isn’t quite right. Your child is bright, curious, full of potential. But as they sit in the classroom, struggling to read a simple sentence or put their thoughts on paper, the fear creeps in. Why is this so hard for them? Why does homework take hours of frustration and tears?
For parents, the journey of discovering their child has a learning disability like dyslexia or dysgraphia is one filled with anxiety, confusion, and often, heartbreak. What will their future look like? Will they fall behind? Will they ever thrive? These are the questions that keep you up at night, searching for answers, desperate for solutions.
I know this journey all too well. When my son, JT, was in the third grade, we discovered he had dysgraphia and dyslexia. Writing a single word felt like climbing a mountain. Reading was a struggle. Homework dragged on for hours, late into the night. And yet, despite the difficulties, his mind was brilliant—his math skills soared, and he excelled in sports like basketball and baseball. But the traditional school system wasn’t built for a child like him.
The Roadblocks
A Broken System and a Mother’s Fight
The school years were a battle. While we found compassionate educators, like Mrs. Pool, who believed in JT and supported him, we also encountered roadblocks at every turn. The school system wasn’t designed to support children with learning differences the way they truly needed.
I fought tirelessly—advocating for my son, researching laws, forming support groups for other parents. I connected with nearly 1,000 parents, teachers, doctors, and attorneys who were all navigating the same uphill battle. But the deeper I dug, the clearer it became: the system was failing children like JT.
The workload was unbearable. He worked twice as hard as his peers just to keep up, spending sleepless nights struggling to write a single sentence. Teachers doubted his abilities. I was told in school meetings that he would never amount to anything, that he had too much help, that he would never graduate.
Imagine hearing those words about your child—words that strip away their potential before they’ve even had the chance to prove themselves. I refused to accept it.
Breaking Free: Finding the Right Education
When the weight of the public school system became too much, I made the terrifying decision to pull JT out and homeschool him. I searched relentlessly for a school that could nurture his gifts while supporting his learning differences. I sent his test scores to over 75 private schools across the South. Every single one turned us down.
I was devastated. How could a child with such intelligence, such determination, be left without a place to thrive?
Then, by sheer perseverance, we found The Landmark School in Massachusetts. Unlike the schools that rejected him, they saw his potential. They believed in his future. And that changed everything.
With specialized instruction, individualized support, and a school environment designed for students with dyslexia, JT didn’t just survive—he thrived. In 2005, he graduated from Landmark. By 2010, he earned his B.A. degree from New England College. My son, the boy they said would never make it, had beaten the odds.
behind every statistic is a child struggling to be seen
Eye-Opening Statistics on Learning Disabilities That Every Parent Should Know
Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 5 individuals in the U.S. have learning and attention issues, which equates to about 65.6 million people. (via ldaamerica.org)
Student Population: In the 2022–23 school year, around 7.5 million students aged 3–21 received services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), representing 15% of public school enrollment. (vis nces.ed.gov)
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD): Approximately 2.28 million school-age students in the U.S. are identified as having a Specific Learning Disability. (via ncld.org)
Academic Challenges: Over 90% of fourth and eighth-grade students with SLDs are not proficient in reading or math. (via ncld.org)
Gender Disparity: About 66% of children with learning disabilities are boys, while 34% are girls. (via discoveryaba.com)
High School Graduation: Students with learning disabilities drop out of high school at nearly three times the rate of all students. (via ldaamerica.org)