Imagine being told that your eight-year old son is “on his way to jail”. This is exactly what Sylvia, a mother of a boy with autism and ADHD, was told over a decade ago by his school.

Sylvia’s son did not speak until he was eight and was expelled from preschool. In elementary school he was sent home every day, adding up to a year of lost classroom time. At one point, his teacher even taped him to his desk. His ADHD and autism caused his hyper behavior, but his school refused to provide any services to remedy these behaviors.

Once she found out about PROGRAM, things changed for Sylvia and her family. Through our year-long, intensive classes, Sylvia learned how to advocate on behalf of her son and help him navigate the education system.

We recently heard from Sylvia who, beaming with pride, let us know that her son, now 23, defied a decade and a half-old prejudice his school had against him.

After graduating from – a non-public school – last year, he enrolled in the local community college. He is on his school’s swim team and tutors other children in math.

The boy who did not speak until he was eight is not on his way to jail – he is now on the board of trustees for his college and Sylvia is so proud of what he, and she, has accomplished!

Contribute today to help more incredible families like Sylvia’s!

Reflection Questions

How did the story make you feel?

If all you knew about this program was this story, what picture of its 'success' would you have? What type of change/impact does the story lift up?

Who is the 'antagonist' in this story?

• What assumptions or beliefs about children with autism might this story reinforce?