Meet Kevin.
|
Kevin and Janet Pollari realized there was something different about their second daughter, Jessica, when she was about 3 years old. While she had learned to talk, she was very quiet and more interested in objects than people, often fixating on things like ceiling fans. Her parents were impressed that Jessica was learning to read at an early age, but she was really just memorizing the books that were read to her. When she became anxious she would spin or rock back and forth to calm herself. At times her behaviors were so disruptive her parents couldn’t take her out. “She would throw herself on the ground like a protestor,” says Kevin.
|
Jessica was diagnosed with autism when she was 4. Even with all her challenges, and two other daughters to care for, Kevin and Janet made sure Jessica had opportunities to engage in activities that interested her. She liked sports so they got her involved with Special Olympics. She was a great swimmer and, as she had no fear of heights, had no problem diving off the high board. It was actually at a Special Olympics event the family first met students from the Autism Treatment Center.
By the time Jessica started middle school, her parents realized the public school she attended couldn’t provide the supports or education she needed. “The school district where we live is way better than most schools and they tried hard, but it was just not a fit,” says Kevin. Her parents tried placing her in a private school for students with learning differences, but that didn’t work, either. “She was just too disruptive to the class sometimes.” Jessica’s behaviors at home were disruptive, too, and putting a strain on the whole family.
The fit Jessica needed came when she was 13 and enrolled as a student at ATC where teachers and therapists had experience working with autism and challenging behaviors. This was especially important a few years later when she developed more aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. When she turned 18, Jessica went from being a day student to living in an ATC teaching home where she could get 24/7 supervision and support.
Now 28, Jessica lives in an ATC adult group home and participates in the weekday Adult Services program. She likes shopping, going to restaurants, and spending time with her family, at home on the weekends and on their annual vacations. Jessica still has behaviors but not as often or as severe as in the past. Kevin credits her success to the love and support she receives from the staff. “ATC has been a good experience,” he says. “We appreciate the routine, warm environment, and sense of community Jessica has. There are not many options for adults with autism and ATC is providing such a critical service.”
By the time Jessica started middle school, her parents realized the public school she attended couldn’t provide the supports or education she needed. “The school district where we live is way better than most schools and they tried hard, but it was just not a fit,” says Kevin. Her parents tried placing her in a private school for students with learning differences, but that didn’t work, either. “She was just too disruptive to the class sometimes.” Jessica’s behaviors at home were disruptive, too, and putting a strain on the whole family.
The fit Jessica needed came when she was 13 and enrolled as a student at ATC where teachers and therapists had experience working with autism and challenging behaviors. This was especially important a few years later when she developed more aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. When she turned 18, Jessica went from being a day student to living in an ATC teaching home where she could get 24/7 supervision and support.
Now 28, Jessica lives in an ATC adult group home and participates in the weekday Adult Services program. She likes shopping, going to restaurants, and spending time with her family, at home on the weekends and on their annual vacations. Jessica still has behaviors but not as often or as severe as in the past. Kevin credits her success to the love and support she receives from the staff. “ATC has been a good experience,” he says. “We appreciate the routine, warm environment, and sense of community Jessica has. There are not many options for adults with autism and ATC is providing such a critical service.”