Will’s Story

Will was diagnosed at the age of 3 and a half in the fall of 2001 at Children’s Hospital in Denver.  At that point he started speech therapy, occupational therapy and had one on one tutors (home therapy program) coming to the house in addition to taking him to a special needs preschool.  I was constantly driving, coordinating Will’s programs and therapists and hiring new ones as people quit for grad school, etc.. 

When Alta Vista (formerly the Aspen Center for Autism) opened in the summer of 2003, I was absolutely thrilled to be receiving all services in one location.  My son spent two years doing half day at our public school Kindergarten and half day at the Aspen Center in the Owls program for school aged kids.  It gave him the boost he needed in academic, social, behavioral and paying attention skills to move on to a full day first grade program with an aide at public school.  He has also spent three summers at Alta Vista.

What I have really appreciated about Alta Vista is that have a very strong team of senior therapists who have years of experience and advanced degrees who hire, train and oversee the classroom teachers.  They tailor the program and their approach to your child’s individual needs and learning style.  They have also reached out to Will’s school at our request, observing the classroom, consulting with his teachers, sitting in on and providing guidance for IEP meetings etc. etc.  I hate to think where Will would be now without the intervention he’s received through Alta Vista.