| When
Christopher first entered
NECC’s Home-based
Program in July 1998, he
could hardly utter a word.
The 3-year-old had great
trouble naming actions and
things, would rarely respond
to any instruction given
to him and expressed little
interest in the world around
him. One thing he did have
in his favor – a mother
very committed to helping
him communicate and connect
with others.
By the end of the first
year working with NECC,
Christopher had already
made great strides. He
started to use a novel,
unscripted language and
even began to develop
a sense of humor.. While
being tested by the NECC
speech and language pathologist,
Christopher pretended
to be a contestant on
“Who Wants To Be
A Millionaire.”
He even asked for a “lifeline”
when he didn’t know
the answer to a question!
In the following years,
Christopher continued
to advance by leaps and
bounds. Now 7, he recently
graduated to NECC’s
Transition Program and
is a second-grader at
a Catholic School in Brighton.
A NECC one-to-one teacher
still helps him with problem-solving
and social skills such
as learning how to play
age-appropriate games,
but little by little,
his teacher is stepping
back.
Christopher is doing
well in school, tackling
grade-level English language
arts, reading, social
studies and science. He
also just completed standardized
grade-level testing.
Christopher is also making
friends and has developed
a wide range of interests.
He likes books, movies,
playing with action figures
and his train set, putting
on magic shows, and playing
soccer. His teachers say
Christopher is one of
the best readers in the
class and among the most
well behaved students.
In just a few years,
Christopher has traveled
a tremendously long road.
His Applied Behavior Analysis
program, the dedication
of his teachers, the love
and support of his mother,
and his own efforts have
changed Christopher’s
life. The future of this
little boy now holds promise
beyond words. |