Billy began essentially with no communication skills, but he can now request food, drink, and help as well as communicate other basic needs. Since coming to NECC, Billy has also learned important self-help skills to wash and dress on his own and to use the restroom without help. “These abilities have made a huge difference in his quality of life,” says Edward.

Billy has also learned to enjoy leisure activities, especially the piano. “He can play 10 popular songs, and has learned all the words to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Take Me Out To The Ballgame,” says Edward. Edward, who lives with his wife about an hour from NECC, spends time practicing these songs with Billy during Edward’s regular visits to Billy’s NECC residence.

The outlook wasn’t always so bright for Billy. “Before we came to NECC, Billy was in a Facilitated Communication program and I was concerned about its effectiveness,” says Edward.

But at NECC Edward gained a new sense of hope. He believes one of NECC’s great strengths is its research program, and a staff who, because of their knowledge of research, are able to quickly assess any proposed new method of treatment for autism and to know whether to adopt it. Edward, a professional scientist, observes, “Unfortunately there are still a bewildering number of unproven, unscientific, ineffective treatments offered to parents of children with autism. As a parent of a NECC student, I regard myself as one of the lucky few parents of a child with autism whose child is receiving first class care.”