Easterseals Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month

Three-year-old twins Elijah and Lorenzo Erli, of Dover, DE, are thrilled when their school bus comes around the corner. It is time to go to school and they get to travel in one of their favorite vehicles. Double bonus! It was not that long ago that the twins’ parents, Angie and David, were concerned about their progress and worried about them going to school. Once the twins began Easterseals Children’s Therapy services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) the worries melted away.

“Easterseals is awesome! I have seen big improvements in both my children since they started services,” Angie says. “ABA has been a very positive experience. As for me and my boys, it has made a huge difference.”

Easterseals celebrates National Autism Acceptance Month in April to promote an understanding and acceptance of autism, as well as the supportive services that can create a more inclusive community. Easterseals meets the needs of this population through a myriad of services offered, including adult day programs, supported employment services, children’s therapy services, services for caregivers, and through Camp Fairlee, an accessible camp for children and adults with disabilities, including autism.

When the twins started receiving therapy with Easterseals, they were unable to walk, unable to communicate, and had difficulty calming themselves when they were overstimulated. Now, thanks to ABA, speech, occupational, physical therapies, and early childhood education, both twins are thriving. Their parents have learned different strategies to calm their twins and help them regulate their emotions when they feel frustrated. ABA has even helped potty train them.

Elijah and Lorenzo have made substantial progress, and now are able to communicate their needs, started walking the night before their second birthday party and can tolerate different textures. They were also able to transition to preschool because of the firm foundation built through therapy. 

“If you find out your child has autism or another disability, do the next steps to get your child services. They make a difference,” Angie says.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy programs help increase language and communication skills; improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics by focusing on teaching new skills. Family education and support is also a critical component when working with very young children. Studies show, that when ABA therapy starts before the age of two, the therapy is most impactful.