Evie was a happy, healthy baby from the very beginning. She was an "easy" baby. Never cried much, always smiling, laughing and just so happy to watch her big brother. I never had any concerns about her development as she seemed to hit all her milestones. I was no stranger to developmental delays as my older son had a speech delay and then was later diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. Autistic individuals have always held a special place in my heart. Advocating and spreading awareness is something I'm passionate about. I knew what to look for since I went through it with my son. Evie never showed any reasons to even consider an evaluation.

 

It was shortly after her first birthday that some things started to stick out to me. The very few words she did say, she stopped saying. She wouldn't respond to her name. So much so I thought maybe she had a hearing problem which I got checked out and was fine. She never seemed interested in playing with or near other kids, not even her brother. She was always in her own world, happy as can be. I also noticed some things like spinning, rocking and her love of standing on her head. I was convinced she would be a gymnast with her nightly headstands in her crib! All those things seemed like typical one-year-old behaviors and I figured I was being overly sensitive to them because of her brother's recent diagnosis. I continued to make a mental note and waited, but my mother's intuition kept telling me to get an evaluation. Unfortunately, Covid had just hit and no one was doing in person visits, but I knew how important early intervention was, so I got her in for an evaluation with Help Me Grow. It was different with it being a virtual evaluation, but they agreed she had a speech delay and possibly some sensory processing things going on and we started virtual therapy sessions. The therapists were great and so helpful, but I didn't see much progress. I wasn't sure if it was because she was a one-and-a-half-year-old trying to do it virtually or if it was because there was more going on. Her therapist at the time agreed an autism evaluation would be the next best step.

 

At 20 months old Evie was diagnosed with autism. We continued her virtual therapies, but it just wasn't enough. I knew she would thrive more in a classroom setting. Easterseals was the closest to us that was doing in person learning for at least half of the time. I was very reluctant about sending Evie to a center because she couldn't communicate her wants and needs and that made me worry. Luckily, I had a friend who worked there, Ms. Amica. I have known Ms. Amica for a long time and trusted her. I reached out to her and she assured me that she would be OK, I shouldn't worry and I was doing the very best thing for her. I leaned on Ms. Amica’s support a lot in those early days and through Evie’s time at EasterSeals and I honestly believe if it wasn't for her, I may not have sent Evie. I got Evie all signed up and she started in Ms. Pam's class and then Ms. Cindy took over that class the following year. Evie was so blessed to have time with both Ms. Pam and Ms. Cindy. They were both so patient and really took the time to get to know Evie and her needs.

 

I sent Evie to Easterseals with no words to communicate. She could sing an entire song, but she couldn't tell you if she was hungry, tired or hurt. Ms. Pam and Ms. Cindy taught Evie signs that I had been trying to teach her for months. Being at the center, around other kids and learning from watching them, helped her so much. Before I knew it she could sign eat, more, please, and

cracker! Meeting with the teachers and therapists was so helpful to me as well. They would give me activities and things to try at home with Evie. They supported me and Evie in any way we needed. Evie loved going to school every day. She really blossomed in her time at Easterseals!

 

Having a child is hard. Having a child with special needs is harder. But finding the right supports and educating myself and others how to best help my child and other kids like her makes the biggest difference in the world. Evie has taught me that we don't have to use words to communicate. There are so many other ways to express our wants and needs. Each and every way is beautiful and needs to be accepted and celebrated. Evie's smile and her personality says more to me than she ever could with words. She is so loving and kind. She's the sweetest little girl who loves hugging her mama!

 

Evie graduated from Easterseals right before her third birthday and moved on to the public schools. I truly believe that Easterseals gave her the confidence and building blocks she needed to be successful. I will forever be grateful for the program at Easterseals and the teachers and staff. It felt like home and I knew she was happy and safe and she was learning so much. Evie still uses her signs and is starting to use a communication device as well. She still sings all her songs, but doesn't want to use her words otherwise and that's OK. If and when she's ready, we will be there to support her! Words aren't important. What's important is teaching her ways to communicate effectively and teaching others to accepts all forms of communication. Having a child with special needs isn't about teaching them to change to fit in with society. It is giving them the tools to be successful however that may look for them. All while also teaching society to be more accepting and open to learning about others. Thank you EasterSeals for embracing Evie as she is and for supporting her in any way she needed. You gave her a voice when she didn't have her own.