'My dream is for her to talk'

By DANIELLE LYNCH

UPPER UWCHLAN — While sitting at the kitchen table, Annie Kelly flips through her Picture Exchange Communication book. Annie, 6½, points to pictures that correlate with her needs. That’s how she communicates with others.
Annie, who has moderate to severe autism and apraxia of speech, looks up from her book and glances at her mother, Amy, with her bright blue eyes. Amy said she wouldn’t trade her daughter’s affection for anything.
Amy Kelly said her daughter was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. Current research states that one in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, according to Autism Speaks, a national organization dedicated to raising awareness of autism spectrum disorders.
Because her daughter has low muscle tone, and is flexible, Amy said an obstacle course was built in their basement. And part of the house has been turned into a therapy room.
“She is the biggest teacher and blessing in our life,” Amy said. “My dream is for her to talk.”
But at times, it’s been tough for Amy and her husband, Mike, who have two typical children too: 8-year-old Danny and 4½-year-old Ryan.
“Christmas and her birthday are the hardest – they are reminders of what she’s not doing,” Amy Kelly said. “It’s a process, every year it’s easier; we have to redefine things for her.”
There are waves of embarrassment when the Kellys are out in public and Annie has a tantrum, Amy said. She said the judgment she’s received is the toughest and it’s taught her not to judge others. She usually will tell people in an informative way that her daughter has autism.
Through medical assistance, Amy said her family received help with home services. And Annie is able to attend school at the Devereux Kanner Center in Downingtown where she is enrolled in a program called Center for Autism Research and Education Services, or CARES.
At CARES, Amy said her daughter has learned life skills such as using the microwave. Annie also has received help from the Extended School Year program at Devereux throughout the summer, Amy said.
“Annie can regress if she’s away from school for too long,” her mother said.
Jennifer Shea, a special education teacher at Devereux Kanner Center who works with 14 to 16 year olds enrolled in the CARES program, said the school’s focus is communication, educational and vocational skills.
“The goal is to help make the students as independent as possible,” Shea said. “We have to tap into each kid and know they are different,” she said.
The school day is from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and in addition to the main teacher, there are three support staff employees in every classroom. The students are grouped by age and similar needs, Shea said. Special needs students with Individualized Education Plans are referred to Devereux by school districts, she said.
In addition to life skills, the students are taught functional academics such as math skills “with the idea that down the road they will come into the community,” Shea said.
Back in the Kelly residence, Annie sits on a chair in the living room. While watching television, Annie reaches into a bowl of lentils situated on her lap as she does a “stimming” or repetitive body movement.
Amy catches her daughter’s attention and they play a game with dolls.
“She’s so spunky and so stubborn and I love it,” Amy said of her daughter. “I put no limit on her.”

For more information about the Devereux Kanner Center, visit http://www.devereux.org/.
For more information about Autism Speaks, visit http://www.autismspeaks.org.

To contact staff writer Danielle Lynch, send an e-mail to dlynch@dailylocal.com.