Wyatt Ender's Next Adventure
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Just five years ago, our dear Wyatt entered the world and changed our lives. He was a sweet, quiet baby, and nearly always happy. He brought so much joy and so much welcomed change into our lives.
Around the time of Wyatt's first birthday, Jason and I noticed that he was falling behind on his developmental charts. He wasn't speaking at all, or pointing, or even sharing our attention. Normally a good eater, he started dropping foods left and right, until he had whittled down his diet to chicken nuggets, fries, and snack-type foods. The boy loves a carb (he gets that from me).
We decided to play the wait-and-see game, hoping that interaction with other children, lots of reading, and time would help Wyatt catch up. A year later, however, he was only that much further behind develpmentally.
It was a cloudy Wednesday afternoon sitting in a pediatric neurologists office that we finally heard the dreaded word: Autism. We were issued a slew tests and referred to a developmental Pediatrician for an official diagnosis. It was just two weeks before Wyatt's second birthday.
Wyatt's diagnosis rocked our world, but as time passed, we have learned that Autism is really just a word. Wyatt is an awesome little boy who steals hearts every where he goes. We placed him into a special pre-K, where he has made vast improvements with joint attention, listening to and following basic instructions, potty training, and lessening his wandering.
Unfortunately, however he needs more. A lot more. Wyatt needs help in the form of Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, which is not covered by our insurance, nor the ACA in Florida. Even Speech/OT are extremely limited in coverage. Without these things, the chances of Wyatt making significant progress and leading a semi-normal life are greatly diminished.
We do, however, have access to the McKay Scholarship, which allows us as parents to choose Wyatt's education and get funding for it. We are hoping that next fall he will attend the Academy for Autism here in Orlando, a school that uses ABA principles in its instruction. This school came highly recommended by Wyatt's doctor, and we look forward to the opportunity for Wyatt to grow.
The tuition is mostly covered by the scholarship, but does require a monthly donation of 170$, in addition to therapy in house, costing 35$/hr.
I have recently returned to work, and Jason is working harder than ever, but this is just a burden that we can not shoulder alone. We need help to get our dear sweet boy on the right track. We do not know how long he will need the therapy or a special school, but we do know that this is the best possible option for Wyatt.
This has been an extremely difficult journey, but the rewards are great. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many awesome people, and we appreciate any little bit that anyone can contribute. This is not a path anyone should have to take alone. Thank you all for your continued support of our family.
Around the time of Wyatt's first birthday, Jason and I noticed that he was falling behind on his developmental charts. He wasn't speaking at all, or pointing, or even sharing our attention. Normally a good eater, he started dropping foods left and right, until he had whittled down his diet to chicken nuggets, fries, and snack-type foods. The boy loves a carb (he gets that from me).
We decided to play the wait-and-see game, hoping that interaction with other children, lots of reading, and time would help Wyatt catch up. A year later, however, he was only that much further behind develpmentally.
It was a cloudy Wednesday afternoon sitting in a pediatric neurologists office that we finally heard the dreaded word: Autism. We were issued a slew tests and referred to a developmental Pediatrician for an official diagnosis. It was just two weeks before Wyatt's second birthday.
Wyatt's diagnosis rocked our world, but as time passed, we have learned that Autism is really just a word. Wyatt is an awesome little boy who steals hearts every where he goes. We placed him into a special pre-K, where he has made vast improvements with joint attention, listening to and following basic instructions, potty training, and lessening his wandering.
Unfortunately, however he needs more. A lot more. Wyatt needs help in the form of Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, which is not covered by our insurance, nor the ACA in Florida. Even Speech/OT are extremely limited in coverage. Without these things, the chances of Wyatt making significant progress and leading a semi-normal life are greatly diminished.
We do, however, have access to the McKay Scholarship, which allows us as parents to choose Wyatt's education and get funding for it. We are hoping that next fall he will attend the Academy for Autism here in Orlando, a school that uses ABA principles in its instruction. This school came highly recommended by Wyatt's doctor, and we look forward to the opportunity for Wyatt to grow.
The tuition is mostly covered by the scholarship, but does require a monthly donation of 170$, in addition to therapy in house, costing 35$/hr.
I have recently returned to work, and Jason is working harder than ever, but this is just a burden that we can not shoulder alone. We need help to get our dear sweet boy on the right track. We do not know how long he will need the therapy or a special school, but we do know that this is the best possible option for Wyatt.
This has been an extremely difficult journey, but the rewards are great. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many awesome people, and we appreciate any little bit that anyone can contribute. This is not a path anyone should have to take alone. Thank you all for your continued support of our family.
Organizer
Amanda Crowgey
Organizer
Orlando, FL