James

Nominated by Rebecca Saint Eloi

James entered our program in September 2022 at 15 months old. His mom noticed delays in his development, especially his language skills, and mentioned her concerns to a colleague at CDTC who recommended the Early Steps program.

James was later diagnosed with a motor speech disorder called Apraxia. His mom shared that Apraxia brought many challenges for him. She described his frustration when trying to communicate his wants and needs. Over time, the Apraxia affected not only his speech and language development but also his motor skills. He struggled with walking and running and often fell or tripped, which made daily activities difficult and affected his emotional wellbeing.

James first received Early Intervention Services from an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist to address his communication concerns. Soon after, he began speech therapy. At the recommendation of his speech therapist, occupational therapy and physical therapy were added to his Individualized Family Support Plan. His mom reports that James has made significant progress in all areas of his development. At a recent Periodic Review, he was noted to be using 3–4 word phrases, walking independently, feeding himself, and helping with dressing and undressing.

His mom expressed gratitude for having a supportive partnership with Early Steps, sharing that everyone she encountered consistently offered guidance and care. James is now preparing to transition from Early Steps to the Broward County School Pre-K program. His mom is especially thankful for his Service Coordinator, Rebecca, who has helped her navigate the transition process.