From a young age, Alice Fuchs’ mom, Beth, noticed her daughter had developmental differences from her peers, including speech delays, extreme pickiness with food and behavioral outbursts.
When Alice Fuchs was just 2 years old, she was belting out song lyrics word-for-word from the movie Frozen. Yet, at the same time, Alice was struggling to express her basic needs to her parents.
“She couldn’t verbalize what she wanted for a snack,” said Beth, Alice’s mom.
“I noticed differences in Alice’s development from a young age,” she added. “She had speech delays, ate an extremely restricted diet, and would have over the top meltdowns.”
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Alice and her parents were introduced to Connections, a short-term, intensive, developmental intervention program offered by Akron Children’s Family Child Learning Center (FCLC). The program, designed for families of toddlers newly diagnosed with ASD, provided crucial tools for navigating Alice’s world.
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Alice and her parents were introduced to Connections, a short-term, intensive, developmental intervention program offered by Akron Children’s Family Child Learning Center (FCLC). The program, designed for families of toddlers newly diagnosed with ASD, provided crucial tools for navigating Alice’s world.
Toddlers with ASD learn best through ongoing and repeated opportunities to interact with the people they know and love. Through Connections, the Fuchs learned strategies that when used regularly and consistently, have helped toddlers with ASD develop and learn.
“They helped us figure out how to respond to behaviors that were difficult to manage,” said Beth. “For example, we created cards with pictures of foods so Alice could point to what she wanted for a snack, eliminating a lot of frustration and guesswork.”
During Alice’s time in Connections, the team recognized that Alice needed lots of stimulation and thought she could benefit from attending school.
At age 2 ½, Alice entered the InteGREAT™ Preschool at FCLC. This unique program integrates typically developing children with those with ASD. With a focus on social communication, achieved through play and interaction, Alice thrived. Within a month, Beth witnessed a remarkable transformation.
“She was communicating, and she wasn’t so intense all the time. She used to scream loudly like she was hurt all the time, and it was exhausting,” Beth said.
Beth came to learn much of Alice’s intense behavior was a result of not being understood.
At age 2 ½, Alice entered the InteGREAT™ Preschool at FCLC. This unique program integrates typically developing children with those with ASD. With a focus on social communication, achieved through play and interaction, Alice thrived. Within a month, her mom witnessed a remarkable transformation.
“Since it was a challenge for her to communicate and for me to understand what she wanted she would get very frustrated,” recalled Beth. “There were times at the grocery store where she would have a meltdown and we would just have to leave.”
Having two children with autism has instilled in Beth the importance of patience and understanding. She emphasizes the need for public awareness, dispelling stereotypes and fostering empathy.
“I wish people would give kids and parents the benefit of the doubt,” she said. “It’s not like my child walks around with a sticker that says, ‘I’m autistic,’” she said. “Just because my kid screams or has a meltdown doesn’t make me a bad mom.”
Before she was introduced to FCLC and Help Me Grow, Beth said she felt defeated and exhausted. Now, she advocates for early intervention and celebrates the unique strengths of her 2 children.
“We didn’t learn my son was autistic until he was in first grade,” said Beth. “We knew nothing.”
Alice and her older brother, Colton, both have autism.
Now familiar with the signs of autism, she wasn’t as shocked when Alice was diagnosed. The Fuchs have learned to make their kids aware of things ahead of time, not push their limits and re-direct when necessary to reduce outbursts.
“If we’re doing an activity or going somewhere, I check in with them while we’re there and watch for cues that they’re reaching their limit. That way we know when it’s time to go, before a meltdown occurs,” she said.
With April being Autism Acceptance Month, Beth hopes people understand that not all people with autism look or act the same way.
“My son has anxiety, dyslexia and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and used to lack the social skills to be able to read people,” she said. “My daughter is a social bug. She plays and talks with every kid but has a more intense personality and can go from zero to 10 very quickly.”
In September, Alice will be switching to a new school and thanks to everything they have learned, Beth thinks both she and Alice are ready.
“I can’t thank Akron Children’s, FCLC and Connections enough for all the help and support they have given us,” she said. “I have changed my parenting style and my mindset. I’ve learned so much from them.”
Learn more about the Autism Diagnostic Clinic at Akron Children’s.
