JOHN-PAUL CHAVEZ, DIAGNOSED WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Like most every five-year-old child, John-Paul Chavez loves to play. Yet unlike many children John-Paul has trouble communicating with others and is severely developmentally delayed. John-Paul has Down Syndrome.

For the firs three years of his life, he took part in Arizona’s Early Intervention Program which allowed him access to physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists in his home. Once he turned four, he no longer qualified for the program.

Luzinda Chaves, John-Paul’s mother, tried unsuccessfully for over a year to enroll him in various programs. Every program was full and could do nothing more than put her son’s name on a waiting list.

A few months ago, Luzinda heard about Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.) from John-Paul’s preschool teacher. She immediately called and spoke with Margaret Travillion, co-founder and CEO. Travillion helped Luzinda fill out the necessary paperwork and enrolled John-Paul into L.I.F.E.’s music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and habilitation programs.

“I actually cried when they gave me John-Paul’s final schedule because I had been fighting for his services for so long,” says Luzinda. “Since they (L.I.F.E.) opened, we’ve seen a lot of improvement in his independence and his communication.”

John Paul currently works with the therapist at L.I.F.E. one to two hours every day of the week. Luzinda attributes his improvement to the cooperation and communication amongst the therapists at L.I.F.E. where integrated care is of utmost importance. The therapists routinely discuss each client’s care so that they can provide services in a way that meets each child’s needs.

“He (John-Paul) really enjoys therapy,” says Luzinda. “He thinks its play not work.”

TIA FOX, DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Tia Fox is a fun-loving child. She likes to walk on her tiptoes, entertain her family, laugh and have a good time. On the other hand some times this five year old gets a bit moody. She throws tantrums and has severe behavior problems due to her Autism disorder.

Tia is a sensory-seeking autistic child that until a few months ago attended a traditional kindergarten classroom.

“She wasn’t doing well in kindergarten,” says Crystal Fox, her mother. “She was having a lot of behavior problems. The school setting was way too much for her.”

Crystal heard about Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.) from Tia’s music therapists at the time, Rich Maston and Kathleen Walsh, now administrators for L.I.F.E. Crystal promptly removed Tia from kindergarten and enrolled her in music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and habilitation services at L.I.F.E.

“The transition she (Tia) had going to L.I.F.E. has been amazing,” says Crystal. “She doesn’t throw tantrums. She doesn’t fight and she gets all her therapy. She’s so much happier.”

Crystal credits Tia’s positive behavior change and recent happiness to the open-minded attitude at L.I.F.E. She says the therapists are focused on Tia’s needs. The L.I.F.E. staff has a philosophy of celebrating what some people might think are minor achievements as major successes.

“It’s important to me that she’s (Tia) in a loving, social environment,” says Crystal. “I want people to want to work with her, to accept and understand her. That’s what L.I.F.E. does. It brings tears to my eyes.”

Due to Tia’s sensory-seeking inclination, Crystal appreciates L.I.F.E.’s sensory classrooms outfitted with Abilitations equipment. Tia benefits from therapies in these rooms that help her recognize the benefits and limitations of her body since he does not have nerve recognition. Most importantly these rooms help train Tia how to avoid injury.

“They (L.I.F.E. Administrators) have chosen top notch people, trained them and they work together as a team,” says Crystal. “I haven’t seen anything in the valley like it.”

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