Each year, Hattie Larlham’s Dahlberg Gibson Learning Center serves more than 120 students and their families. Starting with home-based early intervention for infants as young as 18 months, Dahlberg supports and nurtures our little learners all the way through their preschool years spent at the school in Columbus. For students who are of age and developmentally ready, kindergarten preparation begins each spring semester to make sure students and their parents have the tools they need to succeed once they leave Dahlberg. It isn’t hard to imagine that such a big transition is difficult for child and parent alike, but with Dahlberg’s support, the next step seems a little less daunting.
Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking with Taylor K. and her son, Jaxon, who is in his final year at Dahlberg. Taylor was quick to dole out high compliments for the entire staff at Dahlberg, saying that even the teachers and aides who had never had him in their classes formally all know him by name and are sure to always greet them in the hallways during drop-off and pick up. “Everyone knows Jaxon,” she said with a smile. She continued to share what a comfort that’s been to her throughout his time at Dahlberg. “As a parent, it’s super important to me to be involved. I’ve found ways to volunteer and donate. I’m always in contact with the staff here because they’re taking care of my kid, and as a parent that’s huge. It can be scary as a parent, especially for my son, who’s nonverbal and wouldn’t be able to tell me if something was going wrong at school, but when you come here and they’re so open and easy to talk to, it really is a weight off.”
When he was about two years old, Jaxon was connected with a Franklin County program, Help Me Grow, which then connected the family to Dahlberg as a possible next step. “It’s just been amazing ever since,” Taylor said. “They started coming for home visits. And they were just so kind and really had a lot of knowledge and information to give. This is my first special needs child, my first child with autism, so it was really helpful to have those in-home visits. And that makes you feel comfortable to lead up to going to the school.”
When he started the program, Jaxon was nonverbal. And while the use of language may always be a challenge for him, Taylor says he’s made incredible strides in just a couple of years at the school. He now loves to sing the alphabet and uses small words. “He is very active, jumping, crawling. very expressive with his face. And I love that about him, because if he isn’t able to tell you verbally how he feels, he’s going to tell you with his expressions.” Now, soon to be five, Jaxon is really coming into his own. “Oh my gosh, there’s just been so much growth,” shared Taylor. “Personality wise, he’s coming out more. He’s been starting to talk and co-plays with other students. He’s thriving with routines. He’s been more welcoming of transitions and meeting new people. He’s also learned patience and taking turns. I could go on and on.”
When asked if his exuberance and self-expression that she mentioned earlier are traits that she’s seen nurtured at Dahlberg, Taylor was quick to reply, “Oh yes! We actually used to call him “No reaction Jaxon” because he just didn’t make facial expressions and would just be blank stared for everything. He wouldn’t give you anything. So, I think he really learned those expressions here, mimicking other kids and having the teachers work with them on it. So when I say he’s expressive now, he truly is and it’s like his true form coming out and it’s just so great.”
While the big step to kindergarten is still daunting to both Taylor and Jaxon, she says she’s deeply grateful for having gotten to experience Dahlberg and for the impact it’s had for Jaxon. Taylor says it will be a difficult change, and understandably so, because it’ll be a new building with all new people and the school days are longer. But she’s hopeful that the skills Jaxson has learned in his time at Dahlberg will be a great asset and he faces this next hurdle.
For every person served at Hattie Larlham, every day brings a new opportunity to explore the world, learn new things, overcome challenges, and thrive in big and small ways alike. Your generosity during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month helps create those priceless opportunities and we invite you to help us make a lasting impact with a donation to the programs and services at Hattie Larlham today.