…Kai, age 5
Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin
Kai spent his first 28 months in an orphanage in China. When his new parents brought him home, he didn’t walk, speak, or make contact with others, so they sought help from a pediatric specialist. Kai’s parents, Scott and Chris, were told that he would be non-verbal and likely would require long-term care. They looked to Easter Seals for help.
Kai began autism services in September of 2010 and showed amazing progress after only nine months. Talking was his first, most noticeable change, from being non-verbal to using over 75 words. He began stating his wants and needs, rather than pointing, and soon started using complete sentences. Because he was able to say what he wanted, Kai had fewer tantrums and more meaningful interactions with family and other children. He began to enjoy activities like looking at books and being read to.
No longer isolated, Kai is now a social butterfly with his friends at school. He’s also on target with his academic skills like spelling, counting, reading and writing, and enjoys playing games like Trouble, Sorry, Connect 4 and Chinese Checkers.
Scott and Chris are delighted with their son’s progress. “Not only was our son dismissed from all special education services, except speech therapy,” they said, “but he is functioning at an age-appropriate level. We are so proud of the accomplishments our son has made with the help of Easter Seals! His future looks bright and we are truly grateful!”
…Ben, age 3
Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin
Ben Jimenez was 18 months old, when his parents noticed delays in his speech. They spoke to their pediatrician about their concerns, and were told that Ben’s delays were because he was living in a bilingual family. Not satisfied with this explanation, Ben’s parents explored their options and found Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin’s Birth to Three program.
After six months in the Birth to 3 program, Ben is making great progress. When he talks, he speaks in full sentences and is understood by others. And, thanks to his knowledgeable team of speech and occupational therapists, Ben’s parents better understand his sensory issues and fine motor-skill needs.
Ben’s mom explains, “Finding out his diagnosis (PDD-NOS) didn’t come as a big surprise, it was more like a relief. Our goal is to provide all the necessary interventions as early as possible to be sure he has the best outcomes. Seeing Ben’s incredible progress thus far gives us so much hope and great inspiration.” In fact, Ben is doing so well communicating in his primary language, English, that his parents now hope someday soon he will be able to speak Spanish with his grandparents.