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Drew, age 3
Easter Seals Michigan
At age 3, Drew greets his parents when they come home, responds when they say his name, and asks for a drink when he’s thirsty. He also initiates play -- for example, saying “blast off” to get his father to toss him in the air.
Drew didn’t come close to doing those things a year ago when he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified), a less severe condition on the autism spectrum. But six months after starting a highly structured, play-based intervention administered through Easter Seals Michigan, Drew is communicating and connecting with others.
The intervention is known as the P.L.A.Y. (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project. Developed by Dr. Richard Solomon, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, its aim is to promote emotional development in children with autism, ages 18 months to 6 years, while increasing socialization, improving language and decreasing repetitive behaviors. At the heart of the program are play-based techniques designed to help families “woo” their child with autism out of isolation.
"Play is the way children learn best,” Solomon says. “When families do what the child loves, then the child will love being with his or her family."
Drew receives 20 to 25 hours of therapy each week. Half that total is P.L.A.Y. Project therapy provided by his parents, Nannette and Jeff. The other half is a combination of speech, occupational therapy, classroom and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provided by tutors hired by the couple.
Wendi Cuson, an Easter Seals Michigan pediatric occupational therapist, provides ongoing support in visits to the family at home every four to five weeks. During three-hour sessions, she evaluates Drew’s progress, makes adjustments to the program as needed and introduces new techniques. Cuson also videotapes portions of each session and later reviews the footage and provides additional feedback.
 Eventually the goal is for the child to initiate engagement and for the adult to respond. In Drew’s case, he loved spinning in his dad’s arms. Cuson showed Nannette and Jeff how to set up a pattern by saying, “ready, set, go!” and then spinning him, until gradually they delayed saying “go!” and spinning. At first Drew was frustrated, but after hearing “ready, set…” he finally said “go!” himself and got “lots of praise and a big spin,” Nannette says.
In her experience, Cuson says the P.L.A.Y. Project consistently has a positive impact on children. So far, Drew is no exception.
“Drew has grown tremendously,” Cuson says. “His language is just flourishing.”
Solomon confirmed Drew’s progress in a recent visit and says it’s gratifying to see relationships blossom between children with autism and their family members. “One of the things I see all of the time is a longing on the part of parents to connect with their child,” he says.
Besides his parents and his brother Brendan, age 5, Drew also is starting to connect with peers. Recently, he greeted two classmates as they arrived at school. While Drew’s family is encouraged by the strides he’s made, only time will tell what the future holds.
“That’s the hardest part,” Nannette says. “You have to just wait and see. I want to know I’m doing all I can do. Right now, he’s a happy little boy and we just love him to pieces.”
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