03/20/2024
When Dylan was 18 months old his mom, Sandra, noticed that he wasn’t developing at the same rate as his older siblings, but she didn’t know anything about autism or what that meant for her son. He hadn’t learned to talk and didn’t respond when someone spoke to him. He was irritable, cried a lot, and sometimes hurt himself or became aggressive toward other people. Dylan was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 ½ years old. His behaviors were hard on everyone in the family and Sandra’s first thought after his diagnosis was that, somehow, it must be her fault.
Sandra, a single mother who only speaks Spanish, didn’t have a lot of support or resources. She started Dylan in Speech therapy shortly after his diagnosis, but knew there must be more she could do. Sandra learned about ATC from another mother at Dylan’s school and was able to get him enrolled in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy program that uses positive reinforcements to increase desired behaviors and decrease harmful ones. The changes for Dylan and his family have been dramatic.
Dylan (now 9 years old) has learned to communicate using a device, is now potty-trained, and is able to go shopping and out to eat with his family, things Sandra never thought could happen. Sandra's advice to other parents is, "Don't give up. With help, children can reach independence. We have to keep fighting for them."
Sandra was surprised by the kind of support she and Dylan have received at ATC. "Everyone has been supportive. Even those who don't speak Spanish have found ways to communicate with me and have been kind."
We're so proud of Dylan and grateful to be able to support both Sandra and Dylan on their autism journey.
**Don't miss a story, subscribe to our newsletter at www.atcoftexas.org/news
