Success Stories

Florida Autism Center has been lucky enough to be part of the recovery and success of dozens of young children on the autism spectrum. We've always praised our kids at the center, but haven't shared their stories with others. It's time to start sharing! Beginning in July 2009, we'll post success stories periodically. We hope for your child to be one of them!

Will's Story - - Mainstream Kindergarten, Started therapy 03/2007, Ended therapy 06/2009, Average hours per week: 25

This cutie is Will. Will's been a part of Florida Autism Center for the last 2 years or so. He started with us a week after his third birthday and is now a big, smart, superstar 5-year-old.

Will started out with a LOT of therapy. We used to spend 30 or more hours per week with him. He came to us with a handful of words he could say but not use and with extremely weak social skills. We were quite literally jumping out of closets and acting like clowns to try to get Will's attention. He was a sweet and easygoing kid, but he wasn't an active part of what was going on around him.

Then there's now. As I think about where we started, it's hard for me to think that the withdrawn little boy from 2 years ago and the Will I know today are the same person. He's grown up to be SO smart - academics were a breeze to teach him. The child is truly a sponge. At one point, we had to tell Will's parents that we needed to discontinue academic programs for fear of him being completely bored in school. He's also very, very social. Will enjoys playing with his peers. When watching him play you would never guess that there was a time when other kids could go completely unnoticed. His language skills are amazing. He can tell you what he wants, what kind of day he had, and what he hopes to do tomorrow. Will is, quite completely, just like any other 5 year old. He laughs and jokes and comes up with some pretty decent quips for a 5 year old. When he got back from a family trip a few weeks ago and I asked him where he'd been. He said 'Turkey - the country, not the food.' Clever.

Will is leaving Florida Autism Center - he's 'graduating' from our program. While I'm sad to see him go, I'm thrilled for the reason he's leaving: mainstream Kindergarten. I told his parents at their first visit the same thing I tell every parent at a first visit: 'We don't want to keep your child here forever.' I'm really, really thrilled when we're able to follow through on that statement.

So, we're going to miss Will a lot, but we're very, very proud of our graduate, and happy he's outgrown us. I'm looking forward to many years of updates on his wonderful success, and I hope I get an invitation to his college graduation.

Come back soon for Rianna's Story and Aiden's Stroy