Joseph is a handsome and bright young five year old that was diagnosed with autism in April of 2000. At the time we started Joseph's in home ABA program, he had no real means of communicating with us. Using a parents intuition we knew what he wanted when he would grab us by the hand and lead us to the refrigerator; but for the most part, he would never verbally tell us what he wanted at the time. Being as optimistic as possible, we would cling to the smallest of utterances thinking he was beginning to develop some type of language. But nothing of any significance ever developed. We started Joseph's program in May 2000, under the direction and leadership of SCEAP, Inc.
Once our team was familiar with the programs SCEAP, Inc. wanted to implement, things began to improve. Joseph began to do a few things that many of us take for granted in "typically" developing children; such as jumping or hopping on one foot. One milestone that I remember is being at a restaurant on Father's Day 2000 and reading a book to Joseph. We were working on a program where we would read a sentence and Joseph was to complete the last word of the sentence. I read "Twinkle, Twinkle Little...", and Joseph said "Star". I know it may not seem like much to most, but we were quickly getting promising results. Over the past three years, Joseph has worked hard and has progressed and adapted well. Now that's not to say that we have not experienced some times of trouble. Just like a standard business cycle, we still experience peaks and valleys. We have times when we question the severity of his autism, and times when we definitely know we still have a long road ahead of us. I can say this though, each time we have been in a valley, SCEAP, Inc. has been quick to respond with a solution that starts us back on the right track.

Joseph continues to improve in developing language and amazes us daily. It still amazes me to watch video tapes of where we began three years ago. We have grown from the difficulties associated with brushing teeth or getting hair cuts to now where Joseph brushes his own teeth and will sit and allow a barber to cut his hair. Also, Joseph now plays with his older sister, Faith, and other kids in the neighborhood; whereas, before we started the program, he would not even acknowledge another persons presence in the same room. Board games are a favorite past time for Joseph now. He loves to play Monopoly (by his rules) and is actually learning how to play chess.

In 2002, Joseph attended a regular K4 class in a private school setting with a shadow. This was our first test outside the home arena. Much to our delight, Joseph did very well. By the end of the year, Joseph's teachers were as impressed with his progress as we were. We left that experience knowing that academically Joseph was going to be fine; and we continue to work on his language and socialization. This year, Joseph is attending a regular kindergarten class in a public school with a "spy" shadow. So far, Joseph is adjusting well to his new school and classmates.

One constant fact has remained the same since we started his program in May 2000. I know we would be no where near where we are today without the direction, guidance, and leadership of the South Carolina Early Autism Project. We can't say thank you enough to the entire staff at SCEAP, Inc.

A special thank you is in order for our team (past and present) that works with Joseph on a daily basis. Thanks to Annie, Elizabeth, Hope, Kim, Jenny, Megan, Nicole, and Tracy; We will never really be able to tell you how much you are appreciated for what you do and the impact that you have had on all of our lives.