Talon was born with Autism Spectrum Disorder; he was largely nonverbal, making no gestures and limited eye contact. Talon’s services began with regular home visits from Kindering Speech Language Pathologist Rachel, who quickly became Talon’s favorite playmate and an irreplaceable resource for his mother Michelle. Michelle remarked over Kindering’s breadth of services and focus on the whole family. Having navigated a patchwork early intervention system in California with two older sons who have special needs, Kindering’s ability to diagnose in-house and coordinate full-scope care blew her away. “They even involved his brothers in how to help.” She also recalls being stopped in her tracks when for the first time ever she was asked: “How are you doing?”

He attended our inclusive Stepping Stones preschool, and at 20 months he joined CUBS, Kindering’s program specialized for children on the autism spectrum. Michelle watched Talon’s skills skyrocket. But living near Renton, driving to and from Bellevue nearly daily was all-consuming. “It was well worth it, but it was a huge drain,” she recalls. When Kindering Renton opened, the family immediately enrolled in Stepping Stones there. “It was a life-saver,” says Michelle. “Having Kindering nearby and in your own community makes all the difference for families who are already under great distress.”

Talon thrived, and continued receiving educational, occupational therapy, and speech services at home too. He now knows hundreds of words, is beginning to form sentences, and can spell and read. “Kindering has always met us where we’re at, in every sense,” says Michelle. “They have stepped up for our family and for the community, and harnessed Talon’s strengths to truly let him soar.”