We have a little boy. Hes 3. Hes been here for about six months. His mom called the other day in the evening and shes like, He said his name. I said, What is your name? And he said, My names Caleb.
Alicia Hartnett, Olympic Peninsula Autism Centers program director, told this story in early December.
She was so happy because hed never said his name before, Hartnett said.
Olympic Peninsula Autism Center is a nonprofit operation providing therapy for the west side of Puget Sound out of its facility in Silverdale.
The autism center passed its one year anniversary in November. It was founded last year by John and Sara Hall.
The Halls have two young daughters, both diagnosed with autism. Before opening the center, they were taking their daughters to Kirkland multiple times a week for treatment.
Despite a clear need for autism services in the area, Kitsap County lacked many resources, until the Halls started Olympic Peninsula Autism Center.
The center officially merged with Easter Seals Disability Services in September, providing the stability and financial resources of the much larger nonprofit.
Olympic Peninsula uses Applied Behavior Analysis, a system where therapists tailor programs individually for each child in an attempt to help improve behavioral issues.
The therapists determine goals for each child. They then meet one-on-one with the child and work to improve those specific outcomes.
See the article here:
Autism center brings hope to Kitsap families