Last April (2015) was a really rough time for my son, then 10, with High Functioning Autism, an Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. Before working with Melissa Bianchini, Henry’s father and I felt that Henry's future was limited due to his rigidity, defensiveness, unwillingness to try new things, fear of failure, social awkwardness, and his learning issues. He had been on different medications (anti-depressants, stimulants, non-stimulant ADHD meds) and had worked with a variety of excellent Therapists, social skills groups and had not made significant progress. Neuropsychological evaluations at 7 and 10 (each $5000) showed that one issue was processing information, without much detail about it, or what to do about it. Melissa’s evaluation showed us exactly how and why Henry was having trouble processing information, and how that impacted his personality and choices. The evaluation costs $500 ($200 went towards a program) and it alone was worth its’ weight in gold! Each year in school, the more difficult homework and higher expectations in school had proven to be more and more crushing to my son. He had not met any IEP goal since he was classified in second grade, and his grades were the equivalent of mostly D’s and a couple C’s. Last year, even after making the difficult transition to a co-Teach class in Middle School with increased homework and higher levels of difficulty, he received all A’s and one B! Around a month after the Sensory Learning program; things began to dramatically shift in a positive direction. I now think of the Learning Program as an intervention for my son. It re-calibrated or "synced" how his visual, auditory, and vestibular systems work, and allowed him to process information more fully. It changed the way my son was receiving and processing his world. He started responding when I asked him to turn down the volume on the TV, instead of not responding and then getting explosively mad. In therapy, rather than being defensive, he began to engage in productive conversations. At his yearly check-up, his Pediatrician asked what we had been doing, because she said he seemed like a completely different kid…”last visit all he spoke about was the many fears that plagued him. This time he is so excited, happy and talking non-stop about his interests!” Playdates and interactions with his sister have became easier. His physical coordination (catching and kicking a ball, dancing, balance, doing daily activities) improved. Most importantly, school became less stressful. He was able to sit still, listen, think through ideas and put thoughts together and write them down. At 12, after years of refusing to try new things, Henry has now tried a break dancing class, a parcours class, he has a job walking a dog, he even participates in some sports. Participating in Heidi Bonorato's Canine-Integrated Therapy program, has been extremely effective at helping Henry to integrate the changes from Melissa's program. At an introduction to the Canine program, Henry stood in front of around 20 strangers and spoke briefly about the Canine program and then lead an adult through some of what they do in the program! In therapy, rather than being defensive, and sometimes leaving the room, he discusses issues (often disagreeing) but engages in the conversation. Now in a mainstream class in 7th grade, even with no friends in his class, Henry is able to get from class to class, participate, focus and do well. The change is remarkable. Henry still has anxiety and all his other diagnoses, but despite having all his issues, Henry is now open to engaging in the larger world and all it offers. He is a work in progress...and this program is the first time I’ve seen any true progress! I feel as though the trajectory of Henry's future is completely different. I am filled with gratitude for Melissa's programs, and hope that others read my son’s story and check out Sensory Stepping Stones.
