Meet Andrew
Andrew is a 2 1/2 year old boy from a wonderful family. Andrew entered Rauch's Children's Services with severe language and behavior deficits. He found it almost impossible to focus on any activity for more than 20 seconds, respond to adults talking to him and was frequently aggressive when he didn't mean to be.

Andrew started occupational therapy after an evaluation to determine if Andrew displayed signs of a Sensory Processing Disorder. Upon beginning OT, Andrew struggled to wait to obtain a toy, put one toy away before getting another one, and playing with a toy purposefully. His parents actively participated in all therapy sessions and carried over suggestions the therapist recommended.

After the first session, Andrew's mother put together a fidget bag for Andrew to occupy himself in the car, in stores, and in restaurants. She reported the results of her attempts each week and soon Andrew was able to sit in a restaurant and wait for his parents to finish eating without having a meltdown. He was able to begin attending family functions and children's birthday parties without becoming overwhelmed.

Andrew's language skills also increased, allowing him to request things he needed to help regulate his sensory system throughout the day. He would ask his dad to play "en garde" (sword fighting), boxing, soccer, and bowling to receive the movement (vestibular) and joint movement (proprioception) his body needed.

By the time Andrew neared his third birthday, he was able to play with other children without becoming so over-stimulated that he hit them in his excitement. Andrew and his family continue to work on finding new ways to help him fall asleep at night more easily. Andrew's success is the result of his parents and the Rauch therapists working together to maximize Andrew's abilities and empower his family to find solutions to the challenges facing in their daily life.

Meet Rufina
Rufina Pacheco has been enrolled with Healthy Families Floyd County for two years. Originally from Mexico, Rufina enrolled while still pregnant with her daughter. One of her goals since being a part of the program has to been to learn the English language. However, she has been hesitant because she fears that she will not speak it well enough for people to understand her. Rufina’s Family Support Specialist, Brittany Chandler, has been able to work with Rufina through the use of a Spanish speaking interpreter.

Through Brittany’s continued encouragement, Rufina has gained the confidence to start learning to speak English. Brittany recently started working with Rufina utilizing flash cards that name an object as well as display a picture. We are proud to report that through encouragement and persistence, Rufina can now speak over 20 sentences in English. Most recently, Rufina was able to ask her daughter’s physician when the date of her next appointment will be. Brittany is very encouraged that Rufina will continue to progress and will achieve her goal. Learning the English language will allow Rufina the opportunity to participate in her community in ways that will have positive results for her and her family.

Meet Mike
When Mike graduated from high school 10 years ago, he began participating in the ACCESS program. At that time, Mike had hopes and dreams, but needed a little help to achieve them. He had difficulty using money, and also expressed that he really wanted to volunteer at a daycare and work with children.

Since he began participating in ACCESS, Mike has made many new friends and acquaintances, both among the other program participants and in the community. Rauch helped Mike find a volunteer position at a local daycare. At first, Mike needed a lot of help to adjust to his new job, but he now volunteers there with no assistance from Rauch staff whatsoever. The kids love having him there, and so do the daycare workers.

Mike can now count his money with just a little assistance from staff when in the community. He enjoys sports of all kinds and keeps staff and other participants up-to-date on various games and teams. Mike also gives back to others as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, and is now using the skills and contacts he has made through ACCESS to seek community employment. He hopes to soon have a job at a video store or Kroger, where several of his friends also work.

Mike continues to grow and learn new things at ACCESS and, most importantly, he really enjoys his time there.

Meet Steve
The step from high school into the adult world is not an easy one for any young person. For a young person with disabilities, this can be even more difficult - sometimes traumatic.

These young adults are often with the same teacher and the same students in the same classroom environment for years. However, a well thought-out transition plan developed with input from home, school and the provider agency can make this transition smooth and comfortable.

Steve, a young man with Down Syndrome who lives with his mother, has some significant limitations, including minimal communication skills and limited interests. Four years ago, Steve and his mother began visiting the day services available in the area.

When they arrived at Rauch, Steve was carrying his favorite stuffed toy. Rauch staff showed him where he needed to leave his stuffed toy. Much to the surprise of his mother, Steve willingly placed the stuffed toy in the designated place. Then, Steve chose a table with other clients and staff, pulled up a chair and joined the group. His mother was shocked and very moved.

Instead of waiting until he left high school, Steve began attending Rauch’s Adult Developmental Activities (ADA) program each day that school was not in session. Even when months had passed since his last attendance, he arrived each day happy and excited about participating in Rauch services. In May, Steve graduated from high school and began full time services at Rauch. Everyone has been very pleased at his successful completion of high school and his easy transition into adult programming.