Carissa’s Story

Carissa was born on June 1, 1995 near Denver, Colorado.  She was diagnosed with autism prior to her 2nd birthday in 1997.

We did everything we could to learn about autism and how to care for her.  We read all the books, spent hours on the internet, and asked all of our doctors.  We learned that intense early intervention was the key to helping her improve.  However, we only had one hour per week of intervention therapy at a local clinic.  We attempted to build our own network of teachers by training people we met, but were plagued by the constant turnover that occurs when dealing with nonprofessionals.   Similar problems occurred when Carissa entered public school, the staff was not trained in autism, and turnover among the staff prevented any real progress.

By 2003 (age 8), Carissa had never spoken a word.  After years of therapy with traditional speech therapists, she could not speak and could not express herself using sign language or pictures.  She could not tell us that she wanted a cookie, had a headache, or was tired.  She would whine, and we would go through a checklist of things she might want until she stopped.  Negative behaviors emerged as a result of her not being able to communicate. Violent tantrums occurred several times each day.

The same year we found the newly opened Alta Vista Center (formally called Aspen Center for Autism).  It is full-service center staffed with autism treatment professionals. Ongoing training of new professionals is done on a daily basis.  Carissa started therapy using a communication device called the Vantage.  She would press a picture button and the device would say the word.  An amazing thing started to occur during these sessions.  She started to repeat the word after the device, and soon started saying words without the assistance of the device.   I cannot describe the joy from hearing her ask for a cookie or ice cream after years of no communication.  She has progressed steadily since then and now uses short phrases to express her needs.  She even says “Hi Dad”, when I come into the room.

Carissa still suffers serious problems.  She will probably never be completely cured; however, thanks to the professionals at the Alta Vista Center, we now believe that she will be able to live fully or semi-independently as an adult.