FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Welcome and thank you for your interest in
Lutheran Association for Special Education!
Let me tell you about this historic organization…

Lutheran Association for Special Education (LASE) began with the dream and vision of parents who longed for their children with disabilities to be in a Christian education setting.  The first class of five students began in 1956 at Hope Lutheran Church in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.  The program grew to serve more children so by 1969, there were six classrooms serving 68 students in the St. Louis area.

The first Resource Room was established in 1974 at St. John’s Lutheran School in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.  This milestone event meant children with special needs were mainstreamed in general education classes with their typically developing peers.

Today LASE has grown to be a Christian community agency serving 16 Lutheran Schools in Greater St. Louis, Missouri area, including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County.

Lutheran Association for Special Education currently provides special education and related services to nearly 200 students including special education resource support and speech-language therapy. Educational Resource Consultants provide support for parents and general classroom teachers and tutors provide academic support through the “Learning Connection” after-school tutoring program. In addition, Resource Teachers, Speech/Language Pathologists, and Educational Resource Consultants provide screenings, evaluations, consultations, and intervention for hundreds of students. Over the years, thousands of children’s lives have been impacted by the ministry of LASE.

Ministering to children with disabilities and special learning needs is a vital part of a Christian education environment.  For over 50 years LASE has been an instrument of sharing the love of Jesus with special needs children.  It is our privilege to help these children develop the skills they need to live up to their God-given potential.

If you would like more information about our services or wish to talk about how we might meet the needs of your child, please call the LASE office at 314-268-1234.

Peace in Christ,

Lori Christiansen
Executive Director

A voice message from Dorothea Rau, first teacher for Lutheran Special Classes: