I established the Malibu Learning Center in 1995 as a place where students could be trained to reach their academic potential and become comfortable, independent learners. I earned a B.Ed. in special education at the University of Michigan and an M.Ed. in child development from Tufts University, hoping to learn “special” techniques that would fix students’ learning problems. I did not realize that “special” referred to the students and not to the techniques. At that time learning problems could only be accommodated and supported, rather than fixed. Unfortunately, this is still the expectation in most schools and tutoring centers. Accommodations such as preferential seating, additional time on tests and homework support are all essential to make school a positive experience.