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Arturo's Story

Alma’s five-year-old son, Arturo, was diagnosed with a speech delay. He also feared new things, had trouble concentrating, didn’t interact with other children, and had difficulty communicating. Alma was taking English classes at the Salinas Adult School and they referred her to the Alisal Family Resource Center’s Avance Special Needs Project so she could get help for Arturo.

The variety of services that Alma’s family received included home visitation through both Easter Seals Central California Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters PLAY Project and the Salinas Adult School’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program, speech therapy, support sessions and child care.

Arturo’s behavior and skills improved tremendously. Alma says that he is now a very different child, “Before he would always stay behind…he would segregate himself because of his speech problem. Now he doesn’t do that…the programs have helped him interact with other children.” She continues, “Arturo can [now] cut with one hand and before he didn’t have focus, now he has developed his motor skills and he has more coordination.” Alma notes that his relationships with teachers and child care providers have also improved.

One of the most important things Alma experienced was the improved relationship between Arturo and her husband. She points out that her husband has learned more about Arturo’s development and is more patient with Arturo. With tears in her eyes Alma reflects, “Before, my husband was stressed because [of our child’s needs] and I was frustrated; after receiving services from Easter Seals and the PAT program my husband understands the situation and wants to spend time with him.”

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