Success
Stories
With the right kind of help, children and young adults with autism can become productive members of society.
Miracles are happening for the fortunate few that receive science based state-of-the-art educational services.
You can help make more miracles happen by supporting our efforts.
Success Story – Lauren
“Our daughter
Lauren, was perfect, beautiful, bright and friendly. Then one
day she seemed almost catatonic,
deaf and indifferent to our world. We called
her name and she didn’t look
up. She no longer said ‘Mommy.’ Lauren had autism.
Lauren has made great strides over
the years in many different areas since starting at
Alpine Learning Group. Today, running
has unlocked her physical fitness potential
and has opened the door to a social
activity she enjoys with her typical peers.
Lauren has come a long way since
1994 when she first learned to run on a treadmill
and then on the track. She gradually
progressed to running in her community with a
partner. Occasionally she runs with
a typical teenager whom Lauren calls her friend.
Lauren begins her third season on
her high school cross-country team where she runs
with ‘lots of friends and she has
run in several 5K and 10K races.’”
Success
Story – Rebecca
“When Rebecca
was seven months old, we felt ‘something was not right.’ Rebecca
was
diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder with autistic tendencies.
It was the
beginning of a lifelong, painful, process of trying every type of therapy,
nearly
five-days-a-week, constant doctor visits for recurrent illnesses, febrile
seizures,
several
hospitalizations and many sleepless nights.
Before
starting at REED Academy
her hands
was put them in her mouth. Within a
few months however, Rebecca
learned to
use her hands in ways we never thought possible, and had made more
progress
than she had made in the past few years.
We could
not believe our eyes as she picked up a small container of books, carried it to
the bookshelf, and placed it
where it
belonged. We watched in amazement as she
picked up small cubes and placed them in a bucket. Rebecca is
learning
how to unpack her knapsack, put away her laundry at home, and she is making
great progress in using utensils.
For us,
Rebecca’s accomplishments were nothing short of a miracle.
Aside from
recreational activities, this was the first time that we had ever seen her
accomplish anything with
such
independence, coordination and skill. Rebecca’s achievements give us great hope
for the future.”
Success
Story – Noah
Before Noah
turned three, “life was hell” according to his parents.
Noah had
many behavioral problems and was extremely scared of people – he barely
could
tolerate anyone except his own family. “We brought him to a playgroup and he
screamed
and wouldn’t let go. We couldn’t go to a restaurant or have anyone at the
house.
When we
left our home, if anything was out of order, he would have a tantrum, and we
could
hardly even get him in and out of the car.
Life was unlivable.”
When Noah
started at Alpine Learning Group however, their lives turned around.
Noah became
outgoing, his behavior improved dramatically, and “he was happy as a
clam.” He
quickly started putting sentences together and “they taught him literally
everything
he knows.” Noah learned how to eat, how to tie his shoes, and how to go to
sleep on his own.
“We took
him to family restaurant and he walked around was talking to everyone. Someone
came up to us at the restaurant
and said
you have a wonderfully outgoing son.” Noah is now generally indistinguishable
from his typically developing peers.
Although
Noah has had limited world experience, “he is wise beyond his years.” When he was three he watched a show
about
children being born and had tears in his eyes.
At four he asked, “is god a person or a force?” Before starting in
kindergarten,
Noah had above average scores in every subject and continues to excel in
school.
Noah is now
with typically developing children in his local elementary school, and is one
of the top readers in his
class. When the children were asked to draw
pictures of their best friends, two classmates drew pictures of Noah.
Please share your Strange, Funny &
Heartwarming Stories
and tune in to our new Autism Tales™ Podcast
(also
on iTunes)
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