The Journey I Never Asked For

By Kathleen Gaither, BSN, RN

Receiving a developmental delay or disability diagnosis for your child feels like a gut punch. Suddenly, questions flood your mind. What caused this? What does the future look like? Where do we even begin?

You may feel guilt, fear, and overwhelming uncertainty. To make matters harder, your pediatrician may not always have the answers, especially if most of their patients are neurotypical children.

This was my reality thirteen years ago with my son.

In 2013, autism rates were reported as 1 in 50. Today, they are closer to 1 in 31, according to the CDC.

First Steps

Our journey began when our son was about eight months old. He was not meeting developmental milestones, and due to ongoing concerns, our pediatrician referred us to First Steps Indiana.

First Steps provides early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. Therapies take place in the home, allowing children to learn in their natural environment. Services continue until age three.

Our son required speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support due to global developmental delays.

Aging Out of First Steps

When our son turned three, services ended.

Now what?

He still needed support, but we were suddenly on our own. I returned to our pediatrician for guidance, but the only resource provided was a flyer for a “special needs” information fair.

That phrase hit me hard.

Then came the words I wasn’t prepared to hear:

“Your son is demonstrating symptoms of autism.”

That was my breaking point.

As a nurse, my mind immediately jumped to outdated and inaccurate stereotypes. I thought of scenes from Rain Man and memories of a classmate who struggled significantly in school. I began to wonder: Is this our future?

Meanwhile, my son’s symptoms became more pronounced. He stopped making eye contact. His tantrums lasted for hours. He couldn’t communicate his needs. Sensory challenges grew, and his diet became extremely limited.

I knew early intervention was critical. But what did that actually look like now?

There was only one option left: attend the information fair.

ABA Therapy

At the fair, I felt overwhelmed by the information. But one approach stood out: ABA Therapy.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), as defined by Autism Speaks, focuses on improving positive behaviors and reducing harmful ones through reinforcement.

A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) conducts an assessment and develops a personalized treatment plan.

We chose in-home ABA so I could be involved and carry strategies into daily life.

However, when our son reached kindergarten, we encountered another barrier. Our school district did not allow outside therapists in the classroom. This forced us into half-day school and half-day therapy.

Eventually, we had to stop ABA altogether, despite medical necessity. It was a frustrating and disheartening experience.

Family Supports Waiver

At the same fair, I learned about Indiana’s Family Supports Waiver.

This program provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities living at home. To qualify, families must apply for Medicaid, but parental income is not considered for children.

However, a qualifying diagnosis is required.

The Waiting Game

Wait times for services can range from eight months to three years.

When selected, families receive an invitation letter and have 30 days to respond. From there, you meet with specialists, choose a case management company, and begin building a care plan.

This process is time-consuming and often overwhelming. Finding the right providers may take multiple attempts.

But it is worth it.

Our Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis is not easy. Waitlists can stretch for months or even years.

Our son was evaluated by a psychologist and diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a classification used at the time for children who did not meet full autism criteria.

Today, under the DSM-5, conditions like PDD-NOS and Asperger’s have been consolidated under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Getting an Evaluation

If autism is suspected, pediatricians may refer families to specialists such as:

  • Developmental-behavioral pediatricians
  • Child psychologists or psychiatrists
  • Pediatric neurologists

Today, finding providers is much easier through online searches. That was not the case when we began our journey.

A Better Path Forward

Looking back, there is one thing I wish I had known sooner:

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Organizations like Easterseals provide a centralized approach, offering evaluations, diagnoses, and therapies all in one place. In fact, Easterseals is a First Steps provider!

Having that kind of support early on could have reduced so much stress and uncertainty for our family.

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Links Towards Help

Family Supports Waiver

First Steps 

Autism and Behavior Services

2026-05-05T09:35:30-04:00May 5, 2026|Our Blog|

Accessibility Tips: 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Events

The NCAA Men’s Final Four brings thousands of fans downtown with events across multiple venues. With thoughtful planning, you can make the most of the experience, especially if you or someone in your group has mobility or sensory needs.

Key Fan Events and Locations

  • Fan Fest at the Indiana Convention Center
  • Tip-Off Tailgate on Georgia Street
  • March Madness Music Festival at American Legion Mall
  • Reese’s Final Four Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium
  • Final Four Dribble along a downtown route to Fan Fest

Mobility Accessibility Tips

Indiana Convention Center (Fan Fest)

The Indiana Convention Center is a large, fully accessible venue with wide pathways, elevators, and accessible entrances.

Accessibility information: https://www.icclos.com/indiana-convention-center-venue/ada-accessibility/

Tips:

  • Visit during early hours for easier navigation
  • Expect long lines for interactive exhibits
  • Use elevators and accessible routes throughout the building

Lucas Oil Stadium (Final Four Friday)

Lucas Oil Stadium offers accessible seating, elevators, and guest services support throughout the venue.

Accessibility information: https://www.lucasoilstadium.com/plan-your-visit/a-z-guide/

Tips:

  • Arrive early to avoid heavy congestion
  • Utilize the guest services staff if assistance is needed

American Legion Mall (Music Festival)

This outdoor venue is generally flat but can become crowded and loud during performances.

Tips:

  • Be aware of grassy or uneven areas
  • Use accessible drop-off points when possible
  • Stay toward the outer edges for easier movement

Georgia Street (Tip-Off Tailgate and Downtown Events)

Georgia Street serves as a central hub for fan activities, including food, music, and entertainment.

Tips:

  • Expect dense crowds, especially in the evenings
  • Identify entry and exit points ahead of time
  • Consider attending earlier in the day for more space

Sensory Accessibility Tips

High-Stimulation Environments

Many events include loud music, bright lights, large video displays, and significant crowd density.

The most intense environments are typically:

  • Music Festival
  • Fan Fest
  • Tip-Off Tailgate

Strategies for Sensory Comfort

Plan your timing:

  • Attend during less crowded hours, such as early in the day or on weekdays

Identify quieter spaces:

  • Convention center lobby areas
  • Outdoor perimeter spaces
  • Nearby hotels or public buildings

Bring sensory supports:

  • Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
  • Sunglasses or hats
  • Comfort items or fidgets

Pace your visit:

  • Focus on one or two key activities per visit
  • Build in breaks between events

Tips for Families

  • Establish a meeting point in case of separation
  • Review maps and event layouts in advance
  • Prepare children for crowds, noise levels, and waiting
  • Take breaks as needed

The Men’s Final Four is an exciting experience for fans of all abilities. With thoughtful planning and awareness of available resources, you can navigate the events comfortably and confidently.

Take your time, know your options, and enjoy the experience.

 

2026-04-02T10:43:27-04:00April 2, 2026|Our Blog|

March is Indiana Disability Awareness Month

Each March, Indiana recognizes Disability Awareness Month. At Easterseals Crossroads, this month holds special meaning. It is a time to celebrate the strengths, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities across our state. It is also a time to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to create communities where everyone belongs.

Disability Awareness Month is about more than recognition. It is about action. It is about making sure our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and public spaces are accessible and inclusive. It is about understanding that disability is a natural part of the human experience and that every person deserves opportunity, dignity, and respect.

Celebrating Ability and Impact

People with disabilities are leaders, employees, parents, students, entrepreneurs, artists, and advocates. They enrich our communities in countless ways. When barriers are removed and opportunities are provided, individuals with disabilities thrive.

At Easterseals Crossroads, we see this every day. We see children gaining confidence at camp. We see young adults preparing for meaningful employment. We see families finding connection and support. We see individuals discovering independence through assistive technology. These stories are not exceptions. They are examples of what is possible when inclusion is intentional.

Why Awareness Matters

Awareness leads to understanding. Understanding leads to change.

Even today, many individuals with disabilities face barriers to employment, transportation, housing, health care, and recreation. Disability Awareness Month encourages all of us to examine how we can remove those barriers. It challenges employers to create inclusive workplaces. It calls on community leaders to prioritize accessibility. It invites neighbors to foster belonging.

True inclusion goes beyond compliance. It means designing spaces, programs, and opportunities so that everyone can participate fully. It means listening to the voices of people with disabilities and ensuring they are part of decision-making at every level.

Our Commitment

At Easterseals Crossroads, our mission is to empower people with disabilities and their families to achieve their goals and live with greater independence. During Disability Awareness Month and throughout the year, we remain committed to:

  • Expanding access to services and supports

  • Promoting inclusive employment opportunities

  • Providing assistive technology and training

  • Creating adaptive recreation experiences

  • Supporting families through every stage of life

We believe accessibility is just the beginning. Inclusion is the goal.

How You Can Get Involved

Disability Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to participate. You can:

  • Educate yourself about disability inclusion

  • Support inclusive businesses and organizations

  • Advocate for accessibility in your community

  • Volunteer your time

  • Share stories that highlight ability and impact

Small actions create meaningful change. When we work together, we build a stronger, more inclusive Indiana.

Moving Forward Together

March reminds us that awareness is powerful, but it must be paired with action. At Easterseals Crossroads, we are proud to stand alongside individuals with disabilities, families, partners, and advocates who are working every day to create communities where everyone can thrive.

This month and every month, we celebrate ability. We champion inclusion. And we continue building a future where opportunity is open to all.

2026-03-03T09:05:53-05:00March 3, 2026|Our Blog|

Why Inclusive Gaming Matters in the Disability Community

Video games are more than just entertainment. They are gateways to connection, creativity, and achievement. For many in the disability community, gaming provides a powerful way to explore the world, build friendships, and enjoy the same sense of excitement and challenge as anyone else. However, for a long time, games were not always designed with everyone in mind.

That is starting to change, and it matters now more than ever.

Gaming as a Level Playing Field

In everyday life, people with disabilities often encounter physical and social barriers. Inaccessible buildings, limited transportation, or a lack of inclusive recreational options can create isolation. In contrast, virtual worlds offer a place where those barriers can disappear. With the right tools and thoughtful design, a gamer using adaptive equipment can play alongside others from around the world.

Gaming can create a level playing field, but only if developers and communities intentionally include everyone.

Representation and Belonging

Inclusive gaming is not only about accessible technology. It is also about representation. Seeing characters with disabilities in games or having the ability to create avatars that reflect personal experiences helps foster a sense of belonging. When games reflect the real diversity of their players, they send a clear message: You are welcome here.

True representation also means including people with disabilities in every stage of game development. From design and testing to storytelling and voice acting, their perspectives make the games richer, more authentic, and more relatable.

Social Connection Through Play

Online games can provide an important source of social interaction for gamers with disabilities. Through multiplayer experiences, individuals can form friendships, collaborate on missions, and enjoy a shared sense of purpose and accomplishment. For those who may face mobility limitations or experience social isolation, these virtual connections are incredibly valuable.

Gaming can promote mental well-being, confidence, and a strong sense of community, as long as everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Innovation That Helps Everyone

Accessibility features like customizable controls, text-to-speech, and colorblind modes are often developed with disability inclusion in mind. However, they benefit a much broader audience. Just as curb ramps designed for wheelchairs help people with strollers or bikes, inclusive design in gaming improves the experience for all players.

Designing for accessibility leads to innovation that makes games better for everyone.

The Path Forward

There is still more work to be done. Many games are not yet accessible, and adaptive gaming equipment can be expensive or difficult to obtain. Fortunately, organizations, advocates, developers, and gamers themselves are making progress and moving the industry forward.

At Easterseals Crossroads, we believe in the power of play for everyone. Through our Assistive Technology program and support for accessible gaming, we are helping individuals with disabilities discover new possibilities and experiences in the digital world.

2026-02-17T14:17:46-05:00February 17, 2026|Our Blog|

Understanding ABLE Accounts: A Powerful Tool for Disability Financial Security

Amy Corbin is the Executive Director of the Indiana ABLE Authority, where she leads efforts to expand access to ABLE accounts and promote financial empowerment for individuals with disabilities and their families across Indiana.

For individuals with disabilities and their families, financial planning can feel like walking a tightrope. Saving money is essential for stability and independence, but saving too much can put critical public benefits at risk. That’s where an INvestABLE Indiana account comes in.

INvestABLE Indiana, our state’s ABLE savings program, is a savings and investment program designed specifically for people with disabilities. Also know as an “ABLE account”, this program allows eligible individuals to save money without losing important benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. So, all the money saved in an ABLE account does not count against any resource limits you or your loved one might have.

To be eligible for an ABLE account, the person must have a disability that began before their 46th birthday (this recently increased from 26 years old) and be receiving either Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or be able to self-certify they have a significant disability. The disability must be a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death. An individual may also be eligible if their disability began before age 46 and their disability is on Social Security’s List of Compassionate Allowances.

The account is owned by the individual with the disability, even if a parent, guardian, or other authorized person helps manage it.

Key features of ABLE accounts include:

  • Tax advantages: Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, but earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. [i]
  • State tax incentive: Indiana taxpayers may receive a state tax credit of 20% of their total contributions, worth up to $500.[ii]
  • High savings flexibility: Those who are receiving SSI benefits can save up to $100,000 in their ABLE account. If they do not receive SSI, their total savings limit is even higher.[iii]
  • Broad usage: Funds can be used for a wide range of disability-related expenses, including housing, education, healthcare, transportation, assistive technology, employment supports, and more. Even basic living expenses can be qualified!
  • Individual control: In many cases, the person with a disability can manage their own account, promoting independence and autonomy.

INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, as well a checking account option with a debit card. So, the money can easily be accessed at any time to help meet your, or your loved one’s daily expenses. Up to $20,000 can be contributed per year and is the total amount from all contributors. Employed INvestABLE account owners may be able to contribute additional amounts beyond that annual limit.

Recent legislative enhancements to ABLE raised the age of onset for ABLE eligibility from 26 to 46 years old. This dramatically expanded access to ABLE accounts. Now, millions more Americans can benefit from these accounts, including people who acquire disabilities later in life due to accidents, military service, chronic illness, or later-onset disabilities.

If you or someone you care for has a disability, whether starting in childhood or adulthood, an ABLE account may be an important part of a comprehensive financial plan. INvestABLE accounts can provide financial independence and peace of mind and can be a powerful step toward a more secure and empowered future. To learn more about INvestABLE Indiana or enroll please visit in.savewithable.com.

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[i] Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as applicable state and local income taxes
[ii] Indiana taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax credit of 20% of contributions to an INvestABLE Indiana account, up to $500 credit per year. This credit may be subject to recapture from the account owner (not the contributor) in certain circumstances, such as distributions made from an account that is terminated within 12 months, rollovers to another state’s ABLE plan, or rollovers to a 529 plan other than a 529 plan established by the State of Indiana.
[iii] The first $100,000 in an ABLE account is excluded from the SSI resource limit
2026-02-05T13:08:56-05:00February 5, 2026|Our Blog|

A New Year, A Renewed Commitment at Easterseals Crossroads

The start of a new year often invites reflection. It is a time to look back with gratitude and to look ahead with intention. At Easterseals Crossroads, we approach the new year not with grand resolutions, but with a renewed commitment to the work we have always believed in.

Our mission remains simple and meaningful. We support people with disabilities and their families as they build independence, confidence, and connection. That work does not change with the calendar. What changes is our opportunity to show up each day with fresh energy and continued care.

In the year ahead, we resolve to keep listening. Every individual we serve has a unique story, and we want to continue learning from those experiences. Listening helps us provide support that is thoughtful, respectful, and centered on real needs.

We also resolve to keep strengthening our community. Whether it is through employment services, therapy, assistive technology, inclusive programs, or everyday moments of connection, community is at the heart of everything we do. Progress often happens quietly, one relationship and one step at a time.

We resolve to keep supporting our families and caregivers. Their trust means everything to us, and we know the journey is not always easy. Being a consistent partner and source of encouragement matters more than any promise of change.

Finally, we resolve to care for our staff. Their compassion, creativity, and dedication make our mission possible. Supporting them allows them to continue supporting others with purpose and heart.

As we move into the new year, we are grateful for the community that surrounds Easterseals Crossroads. Together, we will continue doing the work that matters, one day at a time.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

2026-01-06T08:39:11-05:00January 6, 2026|Our Blog|

A Season of Thankfulness at Easterseals Crossroads

As we look back on the year, one word rises above the rest: thankful. At Easterseals Crossroads, gratitude is not something we express only during the holiday season. It is woven into who we are because we are surrounded every day by people who help make our mission possible. This season gives us the chance to slow down, take a breath, and reflect on the many individuals and groups that strengthen our community in meaningful ways.

Thankful for Our Community

Our community is the heart of everything we do. Every program, every service, every celebration, and every moment of growth is rooted in the people who walk through our doors. We are grateful for individuals of all abilities who trust us with their goals, their challenges, and their dreams. They inspire us daily with their resilience, their humor, and their willingness to step forward toward something new. Their journeys are our purpose.

Thankful for Our Partners

We are proud to work alongside organizations, agencies, schools, and businesses that share our belief in possibility. Whether they help expand access to services, provide expertise, or open new pathways for connection, our partners lift our work far beyond what we could accomplish alone. They help us innovate. They help us grow. They help us say “yes” more often. For all of this, and so much more, we are deeply grateful.

Thankful for Our Donors

To our donors: thank you for choosing to invest in people. Your generosity fuels progress and opens doors that once felt out of reach. Because of you, children are gaining confidence in therapy, adults are finding employment, families are discovering hope, and individuals are building more independent lives. You are proof that community care is powerful. Your support is not just a contribution. It is a gift of opportunity.

Thankful for Our Staff

The heartbeat of Easterseals Crossroads is our staff. They show up with compassion, creativity, and determination, ready to walk alongside every person we serve. They celebrate victories, big and small. They solve problems, lift spirits, and make our spaces welcoming. Their commitment shapes the lives of those they serve, and their belief in inclusion and possibility strengthens our entire community. We are proud to have a team that leads with heart.

Moving Forward With Gratitude

Thankfulness is more than a feeling. It is a reminder of how far we have come and how much more we can do together. Our community, partners, donors, and staff each play a vital role in advancing Ability and Beyond throughout central Indiana.

As we move into a new year, we remain grounded in gratitude and energized by the work ahead. Together, we are creating a stronger, more inclusive community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for being part of our mission. We are grateful for you today and every day.

2025-11-26T10:57:13-05:00November 26, 2025|Our Blog|

From Tragedy to Triumph: Gary’s Journey with Brain Injury Services

“I’m sure that guy’s dead,” a man told the operator when he called in Gary’s accident. It was 8.8.88, a date Gary will never forget. The accident left him with a diffused axonal injury. His brain was twisted inside his skull.

After a long stay in the critical care unit, including some time in a coma, Gary was released and ready to get back to work as an occupational therapist. He knew something wasn’t right, but he faked being fine for as long as he could.

“I was not going to admit I was wrong, or that I needed help,” Gary says. “I ended up getting fired three different times.”

Family talked Gary into applying for disability, which he was on until he was 66 and a half years old. Then, he could get a job, something he was very excited about doing. To help with the process, he connected with Easterseals Crossroads Brain Injury Services and began working with Jade Cooper, a Resource Facilitator.

Jade assisted Gary in putting his resume together and finding a job he would enjoy. He really wanted to work at one of the state parks.

“I thought, well, I can’t pick up trash, because I can’t walk that far without help,” he says. “I thought, well, I could sit in one of those little wooden boxes at the front of the park.”

Sure enough, that’s exactly the job Gary applied for, and after a trial period, he was hired at Mississinewa Lake.

“I noticed the biggest change after he started this job,” Jade says. “His confidence really grew. In a lot of ways, I think he finally realized how capable he really was.”

Without Easterseals Crossroads, Gary says his life would be depressing. “I owe them a lot. I think they believed in me, and that means a lot.”

Gary’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, healing and hope are possible, even after a life-changing injury. Easterseals Crossroads Brain Injury Services helped him rebuild his confidence, find meaningful employment, and rediscover his purpose.

💛 Your gift can help more people like Gary find their path forward. Donate today!

2025-11-17T09:13:22-05:00November 17, 2025|Our Blog|

Where Summer Shines for Everyone: Inclusive Camp Experiences at Easterseals Crossroads

Every summer, children across America experience the joys of summer camp, but for some, the traditional camp experience just isn’t possible. Beginning each summer in June, Easterseals Crossroads has six weeks of summer camps for individuals with disabilities, giving them unforgettable experiences.

“We’ve had several families that have said they’ve tried other camps,” says Joe Mattingly, Camps and Respite Manager. “Those other camps cannot meet the needs of their children with disabilities. What we’re doing here is making sure we meet their needs and that they get the same great summer camp experience as other children.”

While other camps might not have the staff support, Easterseals Crossroads has specialized and trained staff to meet the needs of the campers, whatever his or her disability might be.

Camp ROCKS takes place at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana, and is for young people with autism who are 10-18 years old. It is an overnight camp for five nights and six days and includes science exploration, swimming, nature hikes, art classes, and more.

Autism Resource Specialist Jaylen Weir says campers are often shy at the start of camp week, but as the week goes on, they are more confident in their abilities and social skills.

“Camp ROCKS is important because it helps kids with social skills, and it also allows them to be independent from their parents,” Jaylen says. “A lot of them haven’t ever been away from their parents, so this is a huge opportunity to be able to experience that, and then the parents get a little bit of respite as well.”

John Kelley, Director of iCan Bike, leads a team of volunteers in teaching individuals with disabilities to ride bicycles. The one-week intensive camp has an 80% success rate of campers who can ride on a standard two-wheel bike on their own by the end of the week. Not only is it a celebratory moment for the person on the bike, but their family members as well, as many come out to watch their loved one ride a bike on their own on the Friday of camp week.

“Mom is usually in tears, and parents are high-fiving volunteers,” John says. “It’s a pretty special experience to see that.

CampABILITY, Camp FUEL, Camp MODE, and Camp Quest are Easterseals Crossroads’ other traditional day camps, filled with on-site experiences as well as field trips. Campers can experience things like dancing, therapeutic horseback riding, going to the swimming pool, and more. Joe says every kid loves to have fun during the summer, and these camps provide that experience, giving each one memories to treasure.

“Parents know that their child is doing something fun and unique,” Joe says. “They are very appreciative, just smiles and thank you’s all the time, and families who say they’re ready to sign up again for next summer.”

From learning to ride a bike to building confidence at overnight camp, Easterseals Crossroads summer programs give children of all abilities the chance to explore, grow, and make unforgettable memories. These life-changing experiences are only possible because of supporters like you.

💛 Help us continue providing inclusive, empowering summer camps for every child. Donate today!

2025-11-17T09:08:33-05:00November 17, 2025|Our Blog|

Finding His Voice: Dominic’s Remarkable Progress Through ABA at Easterseals Crossroads

Two years ago, when Janey’s two-year-old son Dominic was diagnosed with autism, she sat in a room at Easterseals Crossroads and cried many, many tears.

“I was so scared, because it was so new to me,” Janey says. “How is the world going to treat him? Is he ever going to talk? It was really hard to accept at first.”

Now, Janey wouldn’t change a thing. Easterseals Crossroads’ Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services have had a profound impact on Dominic’s life. Janey says that although she was scared, the staff made her feel comfortable and confident in the program.

Dominic receives ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and has graduated from physical therapy. Whenever they arrive at Easterseals Crossroads, he runs to the elevators, ready for the day.

“He absolutely loves coming here,” Janey says. “I think his favorite thing about coming here is the Sensory Room. He loves the bubble tubes in there.”

Jen Ward, ABA Coordinator, says when Dominic started the program, he had very few skills, and one of his greatest challenges was communication. Staff worked with Dominic using pictures to communicate.

“Having so few skills, we didn’t know how quickly he would pick it up,” Jen says, “but he picked it up so quickly. It’s been amazing to see how quickly he could pick up a skill and communicate his needs. He had never been able to do that.”

Now, Dominic communicates using an AAC device, a communication device that allows him to point at different pictures to show what he wants or needs.

“I feel really great about his progress,” Janey says. “He is doing so much better with communicating and interacting with other children.”

Dominic’s success has required commitment beyond the Easterseals Crossroad’s staff.

“(Janey) was really motivated because she saw the progress,” Jen says. “She started working with him at home from what she had learned here.”

Parents are required to attend training sessions to learn the basic skills of ABA, and Ward says Janey has always been eager to learn. That, and the entire family being on board, has been imperative to Dominic’s success.

“It’s not just the person with autism that we’re serving,” Jen says. “The entire family has to be involved.”

When Jen looks back at where Dominic was two years ago, she’s amazed at his progress.

“He went from not communicating at all and not having any independence, to now being able to have back-and-forth conversations with someone through the use of an AAC device,” Jen says. “It’s just great to see how quickly a child can grow.”

And there’s more growth to come. Janey can’t wait to see what’s in store for Dominic’s future.

“I hope he achieves every goal he ever has,” she says. “I know that he’s had a lot of obstacles in his way, but I hope if he wants to be an artist, or a nurse, or a doctor, or a police officer, that he can do that and follow his dreams.”

Dominic’s journey shows the incredible impact that early services, dedicated staff, and engaged families can have on a child’s future. With the right support, children of all abilities can grow, communicate, and confidently follow their dreams, just like Dominic.

💛 Your generosity helps make stories like his possible. Support life-changing services for children and families. Donate today!

2025-11-17T08:57:22-05:00November 17, 2025|Our Blog|
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