When their first born, Nate, was diagnosed with autism at age two and a half, his parents were devastated. They were unfamiliar with the disorder and didn’t know where to turn for help. They watched their son withdraw from the world around him.
He was highly sensitive to touch, smell and sound, and unable to communicate his wants and needs. He had no friends and no desire to be around his family. His childhood was lonely, isolated and hopeless. As Nate got older, he developed specific fears and aversions, and was unable to cope with life. When confronted with his fears, he became violent, irrational and a danger to himself and others. Needless to say, Nate’s autism had a devastating effect on his family. At the height of their despondency, when failure seemed inevitable, they found Monarch School, and their life changed completely.
Monarch’s experienced staff and visual language teaching Model were well-equipped to give Nate the one-on-one attention and education he needed. Not only did Nate flourish academically, but his life changed when he learned how to communicate. He was finally able to participate in the world around him. For the first time, he developed friendships, and became an active member of his community. Nate far exceeded his parents’ expectations of what he could achieve. After graduating from Monarch in 2014, he found a meaningful job that gave him a sense of accomplishment and independence.
Nate’s family regards his transformation as nothing short of a miracle. Not only has he matured into a productive member of society, but he is now a loving and engaged member of their family. They enjoy a relationship with him that they never thought was possible. While they realize they’ll always have challenges to face, they are so proud of the ones they’ve successfully overcome.
Learn more about Monarch School for Autism