Merlin Day Academy

Pencil or keyboard? If you've wondered which one your child really needs, here's the good news: it's not either/or.

For many Chicago families raising neurodiverse children, finding the right balance feels like one more thing to figure out. We understand how overwhelming that can be.

Here's what often gets missed: handwriting and typing aren't competing skills. They work together. When your child forms letters by hand, they build fine motor skills — the small, precise movements in their hands and fingers. Those same skills create the foundation for comfortable, confident typing later.

Together, they give your child more ways to share their brilliant thoughts with the world.
This is what digital literacy is all about: giving your child the tools to communicate safely and confidently.

Our latest article breaks down how these two skills support each other: https://merlindayacademy.com/handwriting-and-typing-skills-for-children/

Why Handwriting and Typing Are Complementary Skills - Merlin Day Academy Walk into any Chicago classroom today and you will see a familiar balancing act: notebooks and pencils share the desk space with computers and tablets. For parents watching this unfold, a natural question comes to mind, does it still matter that my child learns to write

Merlin Day Academy, Eyas Landing, and Blue Bird Day are holding open interviews on Saturday, June 27th from 12:00-2:00pm at Merlin Day Academy - Avondale! RSVP today: https://forms.office.com/r/80L5XXa64X

Every day at Merlin, our students show us what true superheroes look like! With courage, creativity, and kindness, they inspire us all to reach for the stars. 🦸‍♂️

We're making fun and creative crafts at Merlin! Every artwork is a celebration of imagination and skill building! 🎨

What a wonderful End of Year Celebration! We're so proud of our amazing students for all the milestones they’ve reached and the goals they’ve accomplished this year. Thank you to our families, therapists, and community for supporting every step of this incredible journey! 🎓

We're building independence one fold at a time by practicing important life skills like learning how to fold laundry with a hands-on folding board.

Family outings with your neurodiverse child don't have to feel overwhelming. With the right preparation, sensory-friendly activities in Chicago can become joyful adventures your whole family can enjoy together.

In our latest blog, we share practical, parent-tested strategies that help you:
-Choose familiar locations that reduce anxiety
-Pack the right sensory tools for unexpected moments
-Build a support system that makes every outing feel manageable

Whether you're planning a trip to a local park or exploring autism-friendly events in Chicago, these tips are designed to help support your family.

https://merlindayacademy.com/family-outings-with-neurodiverse-child/

Coping Strategies for Family Outings with a Neurodiverse Child For Chicago families raising a neurodiverse child, summer outings present unique challenges requiring extra preparation, flexibility, and support. But they can be done and everyone in the family can have fun! With the right strategies in place, the whole family can enjoy meaningful experiences witho...

Happy Wednesday! Every day is a new adventure at Merlin!😄

We're practicing teeth brushing techniques by brushing dry-erase marker "germs" away!

We're exploring our neighborhood and building confidence, one community safety skill at a time! From learning about positive choices to discovering new places, our adventures help us grow life skills and practice independence.