James is unique compared to most other seven-year-olds. What makes him so unique? Among other things, he is bilingual!
When James was three, his daycare teacher became concerned about his behavior. After several referrals, it was suspected that he had autism. "It was so difficult then - James didn't talk - He cried a lot. He was very clumsy and fell a lot. We didn't know why, or what was the matter," his mother Sophy says. Then, through help from the Family Support program, things began to change for the family.
Today, Sophy says James is a new little boy. Music has become a great source of learning and expression. James receives therapy, which has improved his language skills tremendously. He enjoys playing the piano, which Sophy feels is a better alternative to his need to spin objects. He now talks much more and he sings all the time, too. He even initiates conversation.
"The services James receives allows him to compete with other children, because now he can do some things they cannot do, like dance and play music and swim,” says Sophy. Oh, and one more thing - speak Chinese!
Family Support
family choices
For persons with developmental disabilities, as for others in our society, the family usually serves as the first and greatest source of aid and encouragement. Our Family Support program strengthens and supports those relationships.
What Is Family Support?
Children share a desire to live with their families and grow up with their brothers and sisters. We all rely on our family, friends, and neighbors to help us along the way. Persons with developmental disabilities need and want the same things. Family Support helps families keep a member with a disability at home. The home is typically the best environment to grow up in, no matter what a child's disabilities, so family support is designed to prevent a person from being placed outside the natural home. Support Coordinators help locate and integrate services with community agencies and authorize individually planned supports and services. The services and program are designed toward enabling persons to progress toward normal living and to develop their capacity, performance and relationships with others.
Why Is Family Support Needed?
Having a child is a great responsibility, and for families supporting children with disabilities, life presents unique challenges. Locating a speech therapist, finding resource books, or getting wheel chair accessories can be difficult tasks. We can help. Family Support services can help eliminate some of the stress that families experience in trying to meet the unique needs of a family member with a developmental disability. Providing supports for these persons in their natural homes helps maintain their quality of life. The resources used to support persons to live with their families and in the community cost taxpayers a fraction of the cost of institutional care. In Missouri, the average cost per day in institutions is $283.12, while the average daily cost for community and family living supports in Boone County is $6.29.