AUTISM SERVICES

Sometimes the smallest acts of giving are the most profound. Jessica* had the best first day back to a new school year ever, thanks to a school backpack donated by a member of the Virginia Synod Women’s Organization.

Fifteen-year old Jessica has autism, a disorder that severely impaired the development of her ability to communicate, interact with other people, and maintain normal contact with the outside world. She has failed to develop normal relationships with her parents, siblings, and other children. Jessica engages in repetitious activities and body movements and has very limited speech development. Like other children with autism, she becomes upset at minor changes in her surroundings and daily routine.

In past summers, Jessica had a hard time handling summer vacations. She kept looking for the school bus, forgot much of what she had learned during the school year, and spent months getting back on task once school began again. This summer, Jessica was able to participate in LFSV’s Summer Enrichment Program, where she could continue to work on goals set by her school in a consistent environment that is so important to her. If Lutheran Family Services couldn’t help her, Jessica faced being placed in a residential facility.

In order to prepare her for the transition back to school in the fall, LFSV staff gave Jessica a school backpack, which she started carrying to the Enrichment Program, adding personal items to the school supplies inside. The staff arranged for her to meet her school bus driver for a “dry run” to school, all the while clutching her backpack. That backpack was like a security blanket for Jessica when school began, anchoring two worlds for her. Thanks to LFSV staff and a VSWO donated backpack, Jessica’s smooth transition back to school is a real success story – she continues to live at home.

*name changed