Success Stories

From Struggles in the Classroom to the ‘Copter – Andrew Mallis

With the help of therapies and hard work, Andrew Mallis overcame the challenges of his ADD with Impulsivity diagnosis to become an emergency medical technician and a commercial helicopter pilot. Andrew describes his struggles and successes to Kids Enabled

KE: What were your biggest struggles growing up? What were your toughest challenges in the classroom?
AM: Lack of social skills prevented me from developing peer relationships. My physical development was slow, so I lagged behind my peers in activities such as riding a bike, jumping and skipping. I had to go to physical and occupational therapy for a number of years. It was a challenge staying focused on school work because of my attention deficit disorder, and it soon became apparent that I was struggling to keep up academically in large classrooms that followed structured curriculums.

KE: How old were you when you were diagnosed with a learning disability? What is your earliest memory of struggling in school?
AM: My parents were advised to have me tested at age 5 for learning disabilities while I was attending High Meadows Preschool. My first complete psychological testing was done at age 6, and I was then diagnosed with ADD with Impulsivity. In 4th grade, I began to realize how difficult math and writing were for me. Math concepts never seemed to sink in, and my penmanship was horrible (and still is). Spelling was a problem and made it hard to put my thoughts on paper.

KE: How did your challenges change as you progressed through elementary, middle school and high school?
AM: By attending schools (The Howard School and The Cottage School) that specifically focused on students with special learning needs, I was better able to understand my learning difficulties at an early age and how to make the most of my strengths. My difficulty with social skills did present problems for me beginning in middle school. These skills improved with group therapy, athletic activities and small classrooms. I continued to be a bit of a loner in high school but made a few good friends.

KE: Were there any particular interventions or teaching methods that helped you make gains academically?
AM: We determined early on that I could excel with one-on-one instruction. Therefore, I remained in small classrooms with special individualized programs and periodically had tutors for the areas that were most difficult for me.

KE: Did your struggles ever cause your self-esteem to suffer?
AM: No, I was fortunate to have supportive, understanding parents who provided a stable and happy home. They made sure I attended the schools, pre-school through college, which were best for me and my needs. I was always comfortable with adult relationships and enjoyed speaking to groups about my areas of interest, such as the Civil War.

KE: Can you describe your social struggles in more detail and tell us what you think was at the root of those difficulties?
AM: I always had difficulty reading body language and facial expressions of other people. This may have caused inappropriate behavior on my part in my relationships with others since I could not “read the spatial cues” that most people can interpret. I was considered socially immature with peers and did not always feel part of the group. Age and experience have certainly helped me to overcome any feelings of social inadequacies.

KE: Did you feel prepared to go to college after graduating from high school?
AM: Yes. I had decided to pursue a career as an EMT (emergency medical technician) while taking a first aid course in high school. My parents, an educational consultant and I researched colleges to locate an EMT program that also provided assistance for students
with specific learning disabilities.

KE: What advice would you give to parents of children who struggle with learning challenges?
AM: Be supportive and nonjudgmental at home. Make sure the child is receiving excellent instruction in school. Parents should be involved with their child’s school and help out in the classroom and with parent organizations.

KE: What advice would you give a child who is struggling in school?
AM: Work hard and give 100% to school work. Always be willing to accept your difficulties but don’t let them hold you back from achieving your goals.

KE: Is there anything that you would do differently or think should have been done differently for you during your childhood education?
AM: No. I was always happy and able to thrive in the classroom because of the wonderful schools I attended.

KE: How do you define success at this point in your life?
AM: I continue to maintain a positive and happy outlook on life. My career as an EMT was extremely rewarding and I love being a commercial helicopter pilot. I am currently developing plans for an emergency air transport service.

Kids Enabled would like to thank Andrew Mallis for sharing his story with our readers.