Spaulding Youth Center

Laurie: Jonathan’s been at Spaulding almost five years he has multiple medical issues: neurological and behavioral, and orthopedic medical needs. He actually is in the high school section of Spaulding. He is very much a social butterfly. He has lots of friends there. I think he’s grown quite a bit - he used to be very non-verbal with a lot of behavioral issues. His speech and language is very much improved and he acts better obviously going out into the community. You know I’m lucky to have Jonathan there I’m able to work and go to school and able to feel the security of leaving him off. They’re more than qualified to handle him.

They have an award assembly at the end of the year for all the kids for different things. And I guess my son decided to win student of the year this year! He had a good time and they took pictures of him. He’s thrilled when they mention his name for anything. Before, when he was littler, he used to have to be walked up there [and told] “this is what you have to do” but now he hears his name and get’s out of his chair and walks up there by himself.