WeThrive Learning: How Our NPA Services Help Students with ADHD and Learning Differences Thrive

When your child is struggling in school, whether with academics, behavior, or emotional regulation, it can feel like you’ve tried everything. You’ve met with teachers. You’ve adjusted routines. You’ve done your best to advocate. But what happens when your child needs more support than the school can provide?

This is where WeThrive Learning steps in. We’re more than an educational support program; we’re a Non-Public Agency (NPA) licensed by the California Department of Education. That means we partner with school districts to provide specialized services for students with disabilities, ensuring they get the targeted, individualized support they deserve.

In this post, we’ll explain what an NPA is, why schools partner with us, and how our strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach helps students grow not just academically, but in confidence, independence, and self-advocacy.

What is a Non-Public Agency (NPA)?

In California, a Non-Public Agency is a private organization approved and monitored by the California Department of Education to provide special education and related services to students whose needs go beyond what their school district can offer.

These services can include:

• Specialized academic instruction tailored to a student’s learning style

• Speech and language therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Behavioral intervention and support

• Social-emotional skill building

• Executive function coaching

Schools may contract with NPAs when:

• They don’t have the staff or expertise to meet a student’s specific needs

• The student requires a highly individualized program that goes beyond what’s possible in the classroom

• A specialized service would be more effective in a one-on-one or small-group setting

At WeThrive Learning, we’re proud to be one of these agencies, bridging the gap between what a child is currently receiving and what they truly need to thrive.

How WeThrive Learning’s NPA Services Stand Out

While many NPAs focus on simply delivering services, our approach is holistic, relational, and deeply strengths-based.

We believe that every student—especially those with ADHD, learning disabilities, and other neurodivergent profiles—has unique strengths that can become the foundation for lifelong success.

Instead of focusing only on “fixing” areas of struggle, we:

• Identify and amplify strengths so students feel capable and motivated

• Build trust and connection before diving into academics, so students feel safe to take risks

• Teach learning strategies that fit the brain they have, not the one the world expects

• Partner with families and schools to ensure consistent support across environments

The NPA Process: How Families Access Our Support

For many parents, the NPA process starts with their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

If the IEP team determines that a student’s needs require additional services beyond what the school can provide, the district may recommend contracting with an NPA. This might happen because the service requires specific expertise, the student benefits from more individualized instruction, or the school’s current resources are stretched.

Once the district contracts with us:

1. We meet the student where they are. This means learning about their strengths, challenges, interests, and goals—not just reading their IEP.

2. We build a personalized plan. Every session is tailored to the student’s learning style and emotional needs.

3. We track progress and adjust. We regularly communicate with parents and the IEP team, ensuring goals stay aligned and support evolves as the student grows.

Real-Life Impact: Beyond the IEP Goals

Here’s what we’ve seen happen when a student begins receiving NPA services through WeThrive Learning:

• Confidence blooms. A student who once dreaded reading aloud now volunteers in class.

• Executive function skills improve. A teen who used to lose every homework sheet now has a system that works for their brain.

• Emotional regulation grows. A child who once shut down during math can now take a breath, use their strategies, and keep going.

These are not just “academic” wins—they are life skills that help students become more independent, resilient, and self-assured.

Why Parents Value Our NPA Partnership

Families tell us they appreciate that our work goes far beyond delivering services. They notice that we:

• Speak to their child with respect—seeing them as capable, not “broken”

• Collaborate with them as partners, making sure they feel informed and supported

• Celebrate small wins, so progress feels encouraging instead of overwhelming

• Focus on the long game—helping students develop skills they’ll use for life, not just for the next test

Breaking the Stigma Around “Extra Help”

One thing we often hear from parents is worry that NPA services will make their child feel “different.” Our experience is the opposite:

When students experience teaching that finally makes sense to their brain, they start to see themselves as capable learners—not “bad students.” The shame that often comes with struggling in school begins to lift, replaced by a sense of pride.

Partnering with Schools for Better Outcomes

Because we work directly with school districts, we’re able to maintain consistent communication with teachers and IEP teams. This means:

• Goals are reinforced both in our sessions and in the classroom

• Teachers can share feedback about what’s working (or not) in real time

• Students get a consistent message of support from all the adults in their life

This collaboration is key. When home, school, and NPA support are all aligned, progress accelerates.

A Strengths-Based Future for Your Child

We know that navigating the special education system can be overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing your child’s emotional well-being, academic needs, and day-to-day life. Becoming an NPA allows us to be part of that system—not just to fill in gaps, but to transform the way your child experiences learning.

Our mission at WeThrive Learning is simple: To help every student discover that they are more than their challenges, and to give them the tools to succeed—now and in the future.

If your child has an IEP and you think they could benefit from additional, specialized support, ask your school team about working with an NPA like WeThrive Learning. And if you’re a parent who wants to learn more about how we can partner with your school district, reach out—we’d love to talk.