Meet Jessica

Home: Sacramento, CA
Age: 12
Diagnosis: PDD/Autism
Favorites: Disney movies, the Disney Princesses collection, shopping shoes and clothes, Taco Bell, playing pool, swimming, swinging on swings at the park, going ice skating with her friends and eating Chunky Monkey Ice Cream.

Jessica was diagnosed with Autism/PDD at age two and a half. She is non-verbal, but has learned to use sign language to communicate with family, friends and teachers. Although Jessica is non-verbal, she is high functioning in many areas.

We knew something was wrong when Jessica suddenly lost her few, but developing verbal skills at eighteen months. She also used to walk on her tiptoes, which we thought was so cute at the time. When a friend of ours noticed that Jessica was avoiding eye contact, we just thought she was being obstinate. Then we began to notice every picture we’d develop of her she would either be hiding her face or put her hand up to block the camera. Jessica was also extremely sensitivity to most tactile things. I’ll never forget the scream she let out the first time her feet touched the grass in our backyard or anytime we’d try to put her feet in a new pair of shoes. She hated new clothes and cried every time we dressed her in a new outfit. Jessica seemed to be in a world of her own, drifting farther and farther away as the days past.

Getting the diagnosis was one of the most devastating heart-wrenching things we have ever experienced. After getting over the numbness and disbelief, my husband and I decided to find out our options. This was ten years ago and the information we were given wasn’t very hopeful. I did months of research, attended every seminar or convention on autism possible, scanned the Internet and spoke to every parent that had been through this experience. Then began the seemingly endless assessments, evaluations, doctor visits and treatment options. It seemed that every professional had a different opinion about what we should do for our daughter. We decided the best data indicated that ABA was the way to go, so we did. While I do not advocate this therapy for every child, I have never regretted this choice for Jess.

Jessica has been in an Applied Behavioral Approach (ABA) in-home program since age two. She has also attended a special education county classroom with the assistance of a one-to-one aide from her home program provider. We have always tried to do our part to visit all the available classrooms and meet with the special education teachers personally. This has enabled us to evaluate each teacher and their willingness to work collaboratively with our whole team. We feel the combination of both programs has resulted in a successful educational experience for Jessica. She has been taught sign language as Jessica preferred this mode of communication. Jessica has been extremely fortunate to have worked with some of the most dedicated, creative and loving staff I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, However, that is not to say we haven't had our share of hardships and battles. We have had to fight for most of the services we've received. Most recently, Jessica started a new speech and language program. We are very hopeful that this program will provide Jessica with the potential of verbal language.

As a family, we have always believed children with special needs are underestimated. The more Jessica has been challenged, the more she is able to accomplish successfully. She has always been exposed to typical peers, both at home and at school, which have had such a wonderful influence on her ability to be social and make friends. Over the last two years, she has made several friends at school. The kids at school were so excited to be able to talk to Jessica with the use of sign language that they requested to learn more. With parental consent, Jessica's teacher and one-to-one aides taught new signs to the kids weekly. These opportunities were priceless for Jessica and prove that integrating children with special on regular school campuses enriches all of the children’s lives. We can all learn a lesson from this.

Due to a lot of love and hard work Jessica seems to be a pretty well rounded child. She loves to go on vacations; Hawaii and Disneyland are her favorites. She loves eating out…anywhere! She loves to smell good, so lotions and body spray— especially the ones that glitter— are her favorites. She has gone to two slumber parties. One was a carnival theme, so they had face painting and carnival games to play. When I tried to engage Jessica she didn't want to participate. Then when her friends came over and swept her away from me, she was very happy to be with them and join in on the fun. Later, the girls threw a Hawaiian Theme party where she dressed up as a hula girl. She had a great time. Needless to say, Autism does not define Jessica. It is, however, a part of her life and ours for now. It is my hope in writing this profile that Jessica's struggles and successes will strengthen and empower others to reach for their own child's "true" potential.