Ever since our Journey was 3, we knew there was something unique with her. She would mimic answers, and only answer yes or no to questions that asked for explanations. We took her through quite a few venues to find answers, but it was when she was finally 7 and receiving many therapies and help that she was diagnosed autistic. We may have not had the right diagnosis at first, but we did everything we were supposed to to get her the help she needed. We enrolled her into occupational therapy, she received speech and social skills classes within her IEP in her school for four years. It has done her a world of good. Journey always had trouble expressing herself, but she does so much better now than ever before. Journey's eye contact used to be minimal, but now she holds your gaze for even a few minutes! She is so special! Cats are her most favorite things, she studies and pays attention to them, and collects stuffed animal cats. She loves Hello Kitty, and anything to do with her. She is also a Brownie Girl Scout, and it has helped open up a world that I never thought possible for her. She has made a group of amazing friends, who love her, support her, and will do whatever they can to help her achieve success. Journey has, in turn, taught the girls so many things! She has raised autism awareness within her Girl Scout troop, within her class, and within her grade. She's willing to share her story and experiences with the girls for them to gain an understanding of how the world is for her. I'm so proud of all the skills she's gained, and who she is. She's a beautiful, imaginative, funny, bright, happy little girl. I'm so grateful she's ours.

Jamie R
Leonardtown, MD