When I participated in SARRC’s Jumpstart program I had finally found what I had been needing: a community, women in similar situations, and a guide. Through Jumpstart I received an education on topics such as: apply for and getting Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) approval, learning what an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is and how to write effect goals and what Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is and how to apply it to Jackson. After this class Jackson dropped his OT an PT therapies and began to receive ABA therapy from SARRC for 20 hours a week.

When you are with your children everyday it’s hard to see the gains they make over a long period of time. During our first year review with SARRC I was amazed how far J had come. He was no longer hitting, biting, or yelling at people. His hour-long melt down were over. He lets us hug him and snuggle with him. He is able to work with the therapist without mom being in the room. He was potty trained. We have found outlets for his endless energy with indoor trampolines and bouncy balls. He is still not speaking, but he is able to use either the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or his Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to communicate his wants and needs with us.

Once we restored J’s ability to communicate his wants and needs I saw my happy baby come back. Jackson is 6 as I write this blog- and though he cannot tell me how school was today, who he played with, what his dreams are- but he is learning, he is growing and he is happy.

That’s all we could ask for.