Jaylee’s Story

Jaylee’s Journey of Growth and Confidence

Jaylee, a bright 4-year-old girl diagnosed with septo-optic dysplasia and optic nerve hypoplasia, began her journey with us in 2021. Initially enrolled in our Birth to Three program for vision therapy, Jaylee faced additional challenges that led her to begin speech therapy as well. As her time in the program was nearing its end, her family was unsure about what the next step would look like for her.

Our dedicated vision teacher recognized their concerns and suggested they explore our preschool program to see if it would be a good fit. Like many parents, Jaylee’s family had no prior experience supporting a child with visual impairment, and they were looking for guidance and reassurance on how best to help Jaylee thrive. They took a leap of faith and decided to join our program in 2023.

When Jaylee arrived at the preschool, she faced some struggles, including eating difficulties and a reluctance to engage with toys. She was picky about textures and often refused to explore toys for more than a few seconds. Transitions were also challenging for her. At first, Jaylee would lower her head while eating and meticulously crumble her food, eating only a fraction of what was on her plate. She had little interest in using utensils and needed extra support to navigate daily routines.

However, with the support of our dedicated team, Jaylee began to make remarkable progress. She developed strong, trusting connections with her caregivers through tactile interactions and gradually began holding toys for longer periods of time, exploring them more thoughtfully. Jaylee learned to hold a cup with minimal support and started moving around the classroom with more confidence, exploring her environment with just a little help. Her ability to communicate also grew, as she began babbling sounds and producing simple words like “No” and “Ma”.

One of her biggest victories was learning to manage transitions more smoothly. With the help of tactile cues, Jaylee began to understand what would happen next, which led to fewer meltdowns and more emotional regulation. Her family was especially proud of her progress with eating – Jaylee now uses utensils with ease, separating larger pieces of food rather than crumbling them, and she can tolerate and enjoy different textures, like noodles and meatballs, at the same time.

Jaylee’s journey wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our dedicated team of therapists and educators. We work not only in the classroom but also collaborate with families to ensure Jaylee’s success continues at home. The transformation we’ve seen in her is a testament to her perseverance, the love and dedication of her family, and the holistic approach we take to empower children and their families to thrive.

Today, Jaylee’s family is full of pride and joy, seeing their daughter grow stronger, more confident, and more capable each day. The future is bright for Jaylee, and we are honored to be part of her incredible journey!