A Mother Sees the Beauty in Her Child's Autism

08-04-2024 • 32 minutes

April is Autism Acceptance Month. According to the CDC, in 2023 one in 36 children were diagnosed as falling somewhere on the autism spectrum. The cost of caring for people with autism is predicted to reach $461 billion by 2025 in the U.S.

Alanna, who has three children, knew very early on that something was different about her youngest son Lawson. She had to wait 2 years for further testing, and Lawson was diagnosed as Level 2 on the autism spectrum. Alanna feels that receiving an early diagnosis was very important to Lawson's wellbeing and treatment plan. She sees the beauty in the little things that Lawson does, like reading and drawing.

Dr. Kristine Schlitchting is the founder and CEO of Hopewell Health Solutions, a therapeutic and psychiatric practice offering intensive outpatient therapy for children as young as 8 who suffer from a variety of disorders, including autism. She believes that a child's autism is a broader family issue, and that all the stakeholders including teachers and schools need to be on the same page to provide the best treatment strategy. Dr Schlitchting encourages parents to utilize CT Paid Leave benefits, as there is usually a time commitment needed from the parents or caregivers with intensive outpatient therapy. Whether it is driving the child for treatment or being involved in family therapy, parents need the flexibility that CT Paid Leave can provide.

To get more information about Hopewell Health Solutions go to: Mental Health Counseling | Glastonbury, CT | 06073 (hopewellhealthsolutions.com)
Phone # 860-946-0477

There are several locations including:
West Hartford
1216 Farmington Ave. Suite 301
West Hartford, CT

South Glastonbury
1420 Main St. Suite 124
Glastonbury, CT

Downtown Glastonbury
300 Hebron Ave., Suite 201, 203 and 212
Glastonbury, Ct

Glastonbury
33 Pratt St.
Glastonbury, CT

For information on Valley View School in Portland CT: Valley View | Portland Schools (portlandctschools.org)

For information about Autism: What is autism? | Autism Speaks

For information or to apply for benefits go to: CT Paid Leave