Elizabeth’s Story

Where Elizabeth’s story started….

Building the Foundation with Vision Forward

Diagnosed with septo-optic dysplasia of the brain, along with optic nerve hypoplasia, Elizabeth started at Vision Forward with basic foundational skills. However, due to her visual impairment, modifications and adaptations were required for her to continue progressing and expanding her skills. The therapy team at Vision Forward assessed Elizabeth’s current level of independence in feeding, dressing, and functional play skills. They also assessed her motor skills, including sitting, transitioning from the floor to an upright position, and walking through her environment. The therapists at Vision Forward have specialized training for working with children who may be visually impaired.

Early Challenges in Sitting and Play

When she first began, Elizabeth was able to sit on the floor but had limited use of her hands for playing. She appeared to be afraid to reach out to the sides or in front of herself. She preferred to have others place the toys in her hands.

Gaining Independence in Seated Activities

Her ability to sit independently has improved so much that she can now sit on a typical kids’ chair or a small bench. The days of needing full support for seated activities are behind her. She’s also reaching for toys, and now, both her right and left hands follow auditory cues to grab what she desires.

From Fear to Confidence in Standing

When she first started in September 2024, Elizabeth relied on adults to hold her in place while standing, as she was afraid of falling. Now, as of February 2025, Elizabeth requires less support to stand and has combined the skill of reaching out to find her toys.

Walking Toward Independence

Her ability to walk has improved greatly. When she first began receiving therapy in September 2024, she was moving herself in a gait trainer only when her favorite song was playing. By February, she was walking into the clinic while holding onto her parent’s hand. She has also begun walking by herself using a reverse walker. She is demonstrating increased endurance and is even starting to turn her walker toward a favorite sound.

And the best part? She now walks into the classroom hand-in-hand with mom, dad, or her nanny, showing an incredible level of trust and confidence.

Progress at Mealtime

When it comes to eating, she has also made remarkable progress. When she first started, she preferred to eat only with her fingers. Now, Elizabeth is using an adapted spoon to scoop her food and is able to bring the spoon up to her mouth with guided physical assistance, then return it to her bowl.

A Team Effort Behind Every Milestone

Parents and caregivers have noticed the remarkable progress she’s made in every area of her development, from motor skills to social interactions. Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring. This progress was possible thanks to a team that included her family, caregivers, and therapists, all of whom adapted and made accommodations for her vision loss.

Update 9/12/25:
Building Skills for Everyday Independence

A Challenging Beginning

When we first introduced Elizabeth’s story, she had just begun her journey at Vision Forward. At the time, she was not yet talking, and her low muscle tone presented challenges in both her posture and her ability to eat and drink safely. Everyday tasks that many of us take for granted—like taking a small bite of food, drinking through a straw, or saying “hi” to a friend—were goals that required patience, creativity, and the right support.

Building Everyday Skills

Over the past year, Elizabeth has worked closely with our education services team, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and music therapy. Together, we’ve helped her build strategies that support both her communication and feeding skills. For example, with pacing strategies and gentle reminders, she is now able to take smaller bites during meals—making eating safer and more comfortable. With consistent practice, she also learned to drink independently from a specialized “Honey Bear” straw bottle, a breakthrough that is now helping her transition to more age-appropriate cups. These achievements are not just milestones at home or in therapy—they give Elizabeth more confidence to participate fully in her community.

Finding Her Voice

What’s most exciting is Elizabeth’s progress with language. In just one year, she has gone from being nonverbal to using words and short two- to three-word sentences. Hearing her laugh, play, and greet others with “hi” and “bye” has brought joy to everyone around her. While much of her speech is still imitated, her new goals focus on initiating her own words, answering simple questions, and making choices independently—skills that will allow her to join in more natural conversations.

Gaining Independence Through Mobility

Elizabeth is also strengthening her orientation and mobility skills. Through therapy activities that build sound localization, she can now identify where a sound is coming from and respond accordingly. This progress not only supports her communication but will also help her move more confidently around her home and community.

Looking Ahead

Elizabeth’s journey is far from over, but her determination and growth highlight the impact of early, consistent intervention. Each small success—whether it’s sipping from a straw, taking a safe bite of food, or saying a new word—marks a big step toward independence. At Vision Forward, we’re proud to walk alongside Elizabeth and her family as she continues reaching for new goals and new possibilities.