Since 1956, LASE has brought the love of Jesus while providing exceptional and customized special education and related services to children with unique learning challenges. Programs are currently available in a variety of Lutheran schools across the St. Louis metropolitan region.. LASE is a special education provider that began with a dream and vision of parents who longed for their children with disabilities to be in a Christian education setting. Individualized programming is available for students with mild to moderate disabilities, including specific learning disabilities (SLD), attention deficit disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and speech/language disorder, along with other learning challenges that interfere with a student’s academic and social success.
LASE is a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and a member of the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA). LASE is accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Association (NLSA) and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 43-0780770.
The History of LASE Specialized Education
The Lutheran Association for Special Education began with a class of just five students at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri in 1956, the program had grown to six classrooms by 1969 serving 68 students. The first resource classroom was opened in 1974 at St. John’s Lutheran School (on Chippawa) allowing children with special needs to be mainstreamed in the general education classroom alongside their typically developing peers.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, LASE experienced an increased number of students enrolling in their partner Lutheran schools without a diagnosed disability, but still struggling in the classroom. Many displayed a significant learning gap of as much as two years or more in academic skills and abilities, such as in reading and math. Utilizing specialized approaches and smaller group instruction, LASE specialists provided much needed support for students to close that gap and reach their grade expectancy.
Today, LASE serves hundreds of students who benefit from specialized education and related services through direct instruction and intervention, consultation, observations and screenings, along with general classroom support. Lutheran schools throughout the Greater St. Louis partner with LASE, including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, and just across the river in Belleville and Collinsville. LASE also supports other Lutheran schools and preschools in the area by offering speech and language screenings and consultation. Additional outreach support for Christian educators and families includes the Insights Series which offers presenters for high quality professional development workshops.