Personal Stories
- A Fraternal Bond
- A door to answers
- Luther’s story
A door to answers
After repeatedly expressing concern over Jack’s development at doctor’s visits, Steve and Tavia didn’t know if their concerns had merit. Their son, Jack, was on target in physical development. But his language development was significantly lacking compared to his peers. And from birth he just didn’t seem to have a normal child’s desire to interact with his parents.
Having no prior knowledge of Futures’ Child Checks, Steve and Tavia were eager to attend after their doctor happened to mention it when Jack was age 3. From Child Check he was referred for a comprehensive evaluation. “He failed miserably,” his mother said of Jack’s evaluation. “They estimated he was two and a half years behind.”
While the results were not encouraging, what began with a visit to Child Check marked a change in course for the family. After the initial evaluation, Jack began attending preschool at Futures and receiving mental health services from Sumner Mental Health. After several months of school, however, he was not progressing as hoped. Traditional strategies just weren’t working for Jack so further evaluation was sought. The path eventually led to a diagnosis of autism, ADHD and general anxiety disorder and a plan of support for Jack and his parents to help him catch up to his peers.
A more specialized therapeutic program was implemented along with physical, occupational and speech therapy, and medication. “Fortunately, everyone at Futures has been really, really great and so open to working with us,” Jack’s mom shares. “If we had suggestions they were all over it. There was lots of communication back and forth. We really felt like we were working with Futures to help Jack.”
After two and a half years at Futures attending preschool during the school year, special education summer school and summer psychosocial groups, Jack was ready to transition to kindergarten. Months of preparation by the family, Futures staff and the public school system were necessary as transitions are especially tough for Jack. Everyone wanted Jack to succeed.
Today, Jack is thriving in kindergarten and has caught up with his peers. His teacher shared that even compared to a child without a disability, he’s doing really well.