Parenting may not come with an instruction manual, but ILLUMII – a holistic educational and parenting support resource in Winston-Salem – is making it easier for Triad-area families to navigate the childhood journey, from cradle to college.

Just as integrated healthcare is revolutionizing collaboration and communication among medical providers, ILLUMII (ill-OO-mee) is changing the game for students and families by combining many common services needed to support the journey through childhood and adolescence.  

With educational testing, tutoring, counseling, college prep, parent coaching and more under one roof, ILLUMII’s team of experts works together to help children, teens and parents in a coordinated, caring and personalized way.

ILLUMII founder Kristin Redington Bennett, Ph.D., said this type of coordinated support is something families need more than ever, considering:   

• 20% of children will experience some sort of clinical-level anxiety by adolescence;

• As many as 15-20% of the U.S. population as a whole have some of the symptoms of dyslexia and 9% of U.S. children have been diagnosed with ADHD; and

• Guidance counselors and school psychologists in North Carolina are overworked and under-resourced, often serving four to five times more students than the national recommendation.

“Many families have trusted advisers for health and finances. Now they can turn to ILLUMII for expertise about the educational and parenting journey,” said Bennett.

Bennett brings decades of professional expertise to her new role – having pioneered, taught and administered educational programs at Wake Forest University, UNC Greensboro and Summit School. Navigating life’s ups and downs with her family’s four children inspired her to establish ILLUMII as a one-stop shop, versus the typical option of seeing a counselor here, a tutor there, and a college prep adviser elsewhere.  

“Our ultimate goal is to form long-term relationships with the families we serve, and to stand in their corner with expert insights and advice when they need it most,” she said.

ILLUMII offers a full range of services in a convenient and welcoming space in Reynolda Village:

• Educational evaluation & diagnostic testing – As a Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician, Bennett provides a variety of educational diagnostic tests to help determine the unique learning profile of each child including strengths and vulnerabilities like learning disabilities, ADHD, and giftedness. She is uniquely aware of the challenges students and parents face as they navigate classroom expectations, and the reports she creates flow seamlessly into IEP and 504 plans used in schools.

• Counseling & therapy – In-house counselor Martha B. Metzler, LPCA, specializes in working with students and families to address concerns regarding depression, anxiety, behavior management, OCD, and a host of other struggles that often crop up in children and teens, as well as the family dynamics that often accompany them.

• Parent learning – ILLUMII’s Mindful Connections parenting program offers in-person and online options. Popular courses such as Intentional Parenting, Parenting the Child You Have, and Parenting Your Teen offer parents tangible tools and strategies that are tailored to their unique relationships with their children.

• Tutoring & coaching – Unlike many large tutoring companies, tutoring at ILLUMII is unique to each student, complete with an individualized plan and placement with a tutor who will be a good fit. ILLUMII also provides coaching for students who need executive functioning/ADHD support.

• College planning & test prep – For students approaching the end of high school, ILLUMII’s professionals offer test preparation for the SAT and ACT, along with support throughout the college application process. While traditional college counseling services target wealthy families and tend to steer students toward elite institutions, ILLUMII’s program is designed to make families aware of the range of options available to them, regardless of their socioeconomic background. 

• General educational consultation – The interdisciplinary team of experts at ILLUMII is ready to guide the bright futures of children and teens by consulting on a wide range of educational matters.

Parent Keely Bridges said: “We were so impressed with the report Dr. Bennett prepared for one of our daughters. While it confirmed information we already knew, it also uncovered new information. It was thorough, thoughtful and supportive and will help us provide a detailed understanding of her learning profile to help us partner better with her school. I encourage any parent looking for answers about their children to partner with ILLUMII.”    

“With a convenient, welcoming space and a plethora of options for support, we love helping students and families create and achieve big goals,” said Bennett.

For additional information about ILLUMII, visit the website at ILLUMII.co, email info@illumii.co, or call 336-893-9018.