INDIANAPOLIS — Mary Shiera can't help but smile when seeing her son, Lucas.
“He’s here. You feel it. He will talk to you, he will look at you, he will respond to you,” Shiera said.
At 18 months old, Lucas was diagnosed with autism, and soon after, he started with Easterseals Crossroads through its Autism and Behavior Services program. Shiera's daughter, now 8, was also diagnosed around the same time as Lucas with autism. She too utilized services through Easterseals Crossroads.
“He used to rock, he used to do this with his hands. He would not look at you. He could be around kids but not play with them,” Shiera said.
That has all changed through diagnostic and behavior intervention. Lucas attends therapies at Easterseals Crossroads four days a week.
“I’m more than happy. That’s my blessing. Seeing all he’s achieved now what I have today, it’s an amazing feeling,” Shiera said.
Tracy Gale, director of Autism and Behavior Services at Easterseals Crossroads added: “When he started here, Lucas was kind of in his own world and he really has made so much progress beyond what people even knew to expect.”
Gale the program helps upwards of 400 Hoosiers a year.
“1 in 44 children will receive a diagnosis of autism at some point in their life,” Gale said. “What that says to me as a provider is (the) need is very great.”
Early intervention is part of that great need and something both Gale and Shiera believe is key to Lucas’ success.
“We know that if we’re talking about something neurodevelopment, we know the earlier we can intervene the more the brain can change and respond to that intervention,” Gale said.
Shiera's message to other Hoosier families caring for someone with autism is: don't be afraid.
"It's hard at the beginning. It's overwhelming, It's scary because you want as a parent a perfect kid, but if you connect to the right people, at the end you will see,” Shiera said.
Easterseals Crossroads provides disability services to adults, children and families. It offers programs that help people live independently, as well as resources and training so individuals can learn and grow. The community resource program also offers employment options to prepare job seekers, and activities to allow families to play and relax.
For those wanting to connect with Easterseals Crossroads, click here.
-
Crispus Attucks HS students start IU Health Fellowship
A new generation of healthcare workers will receive professional training before they receive their high school degree.
Eli Lilly breaks ground on $4.5 billion medicine foundry in Lebanon
In a major step for Indiana’s economic development and the nation’s pharmaceutical infrastructure, Eli Lilly and Company has officially broken ground on a $4.5 billion medicine foundry.
INDOT: Crash closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
INDOT said the road between IN 39 and Center Street, five miles west of the Plainfield area, all lanes are closed in the eastbound direction of travel.
Crossroads Elementary School students start their engines for the Kindy 500
As the countdown continues to the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, students at Crossroads Elementary School in Brownsburg revved up their engines for the second annual Kindy 500.
