MAAPS Celebrating IDEA 50 Years Blog Series

A Life-Changing Journey for Logan at The Campus School
Submission written by Jennifer Miller, Associate Director of Communications

For 50 years, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has opened doors for students with disabilities across the country. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), we are reminded of the profound impact this landmark legislation has had on students and families across the country. For one student, Logan, and his family, that promise has become a reality because of The Campus School at Boston College.

Logan, now seven years old, has attended the Campus School for the past four years. When he first arrived, he was unable to hold his head up on his own. Today, thanks to the specialized support and individualized programming made possible through IDEA, Logan walks with assistance, engages with his classmates, and is beginning to use assistive technology to support his communication.

His mother, Lyla, describes his progress with awe and gratitude. “Campus School’s specialized services have allowed Logan to develop age-appropriate behaviors and make incredible progress,” she says. “Just the other day, I turned my back for a moment to grab his wheelchair, and he had climbed out of his playpen and was crawling around the floor. As his mother, that moment might have been a little nerve-wracking, but it was also absolutely amazing. It means he’s gaining the independence and developmental milestones we’ve always hoped for.”

Logan’s days are filled with meaningful learning and connection. He lights up when his mother brings out his wheelchair each morning, knowing it means he’s going to school. At Campus School, he has close friendships with classmates and bonds deeply with his teachers and staff. “He’s grown in so many ways,” Lyla shares. “He knows his friends, he knows his teachers, and he’s part of a community that truly understands him.”

IDEA and Campus School have also opened doors to new ways for Logan to communicate. He is trialing augmentative and alternative communication tools, such as an iPad-based system that allows him to express himself more fully. Without the protections and supports IDEA provides, opportunities like these would not exist.

The benefits of IDEA extend beyond the classroom. Logan’s siblings, Jacqueline, age 13, and twins Connor and Patricia, age 8, have all become part of the Campus School community. “Connor and Patricia love coming to Campus School,” Lyla says. “They see children who use different walking devices or communication tools, and it’s just part of life for them. It’s helped them grow into empathetic, inclusive people.”

The family’s connection with Campus School has also brought them close to other parents and caregivers who share similar experiences. “Being with other families who understand this lifestyle has been such a gift,” Lyla explains. “We share ideas, support one another, and celebrate every milestone together.”

Lyla is deeply aware that her family’s experience is possible because of IDEA and the strong network of support available in Massachusetts. “We are so fortunate to have access to resources here that families in other states might not have,” she says. “IDEA has given Logan opportunities that simply would not exist otherwise.”

For Lyla, Logan, and the entire Campus School community, the 50th anniversary of IDEA is both a celebration and a reminder of how important it is to protect and strengthen these rights for the future.

Founded in 1970, five years before IDEA became law, Campus School at Boston College serves students ages 3 to 22 with extensive support needs, including complex medical challenges. Its mission is to help every student thrive through a curriculum that emphasizes communication, life skills, and applied academics. The program also provides a wide range of therapeutic services designed to strengthen social connections, support physical development, and build greater independence. Campus School is part of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College.