By Deanna Tiffany
On October 9th, our staff, board members, and donors came together at Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center for the annual Strengthening Families Breakfast. The program featured several speakers, including two clients who shared heartfelt personal stories illustrating how Highfields’ programs transformed their lives. Freva, an Out-of-School Time student in the Reaching Higher program, spoke about his experiences. Also present was Kayleigh, a mother who discussed her journey through her daughter’s Autism diagnosis and the challenges of treatment.
Freva kicked off his speech with a playful joke to capture the breakfast attendees’ attention: “Why did the chicken cross the road?” … Baw-kaus!” Freva is a member of the Reaching Higher program at Atwood Elementary School and cherishes his time there, eager to learn about various subjects. Originally from Uganda, Freva has a passion for creativity and expression. Amy Atkinson, Site Coordinator, shared her thoughts, “Freva is a leader in our program both academically and socially. He is witty, so creative, an artist and a natural athlete. Freva has a smile that always looks a bit mischievous but is also contagious. He is helpful to his peers as well, as staff. He is always up to try to learn something new. ”
Kayleigh shared her journey navigating her daughter Alayah’s Autism diagnoses and treatment.
In 2020, Alayah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Alayah was referred to Amy Green in Case Management Services offered through Highfields to help link her to appropriate services.
Alayah’s behaviors included biting others, kicking, slamming doors and destroying things on purpose. She also threw stuff, was spitting, did not interact or play with her peers. Alayah was physically aggressive, made no eye contact with others, and was not potty trained.
Through Case Management, she went through occupational therapy to help her with her sensory needs.
In 2021, Alayah started displaying different behaviors. At this time Alayah would not listen to adults, swore a lot, started writing on walls, and did not cope very well with changes. Alayah started receiving outpatient therapy (specifically trauma therapy) to help her through some hard times.
Then in 2023, Alayah was referred to psychiatric services as she was having accidents in her pants, easily distracted, hard time paying attention, and a hard time remembering stuff. Through psychiatric services Alayah was put on medication which has helped her tremendously.
“We were supported every step of the way including the IEP process and getting her grandfathered in for busing for school. We never felt alone and always had support through with Amy.”
Today Alayah can regulate her emotion and accept the answer no. She takes showers on her own, brushes her hair, cleans up after herself and cleans the house most of the time without being asked.
