Sibling Success: A Letter from the Mother of Two Special Needs Children at Northwest Center Kids

I’m a mother of two special needs children at Northwest Center Kids. My son was diagnosed at 18 months old with autism. Our daughter, during that same period, was born prematurely at 29 weeks and diagnosed with Prader Willi Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder with both physical and mental delays.

Our daughter was one when she came to Northwest Center. She wasn’t able to sit up by herself and was fed through a feeding tube. All the kids in her classroom who were typically developing, and the teachers, just everything contributed so much to her development and success. She’s doing amazing.

Our son was still crawling at 18 months and wouldn’t look at anyone, wouldn’t make any eye contact, wouldn’t respond to his name. And he’s just gotten so much out of this program. Now he can play with other kids and have fun. They look at my son and they accept him as an equal.

Being in this program with typically developing kids and all these services and great, amazing people has been such a positive influence in our lives. I’m so grateful to Northwest Center and people that support Northwest Center. That we can be there and also that people in the future can be helped like we’ve been helped. We just are so grateful to be a part of it. It’s our family.

–By Anouk, Northwest Center Mom

Our services for children provide early intervention, inclusive early childhood education, and after school programs. For more information about Northwest Center Kids and how you can get involved, contact us.
This story was originally published as part of Northwest Center's 50th anniversary project: 50 Stories Worth Sharing