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Message from GETAC’s
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As a parent, you never want to hear that something is wrong with one of your children. My husband and I are no exception. We are the proud parents of two beautiful and healthy children. Our daughter Nile is seventeen, and our son Avery is sixteen. They are the best things that have ever happened to us. Whenever I get a chance to share our story, I always say that Nile makes me a better parent. Avery makes me a better person. He is one of the most special little boys you will ever meet. He smiles with his eyes, his laugh is contagious, and his hugs and kisses make you melt. Avery is on the autism spectrum. And this endeavor is because of him.
At the age of 9 months, I began to notice some very peculiar habits in my Avery. He was a friendly and affectionate child who was growing up in a house of five children. Of the extremely active five children, Avery was always quiet, always reserved, and often preferred to be by himself. He would stand in the same place for long periods of time, stare intensely at moving objects, and more noticeably, would not acknowledge you when you called his name. My first instinct was that he was deaf. He wasn't talking yet, and the sounds Avery made were muted. People often commented that boys develop more slowly than girls and that compared to my daughter Nile-who is 19 months older than Avery - he was right on target. So I let it go.
At 15 months, I knew something was really wrong. Avery had no words, no sounds, was not walking, was not playing with his sister, and still would not look you in your eyes. My husband and I took Avery for his first audiology exam at 16 months. There was nothing detectably wrong with his hearing. At that moment, I knew what it was. I couldn't say the words. I wouldn't say the words. But, autism was ringing in my ears.
With the help of a wonderfully sensitive developmental pediatrician, Avery was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. Over the next year and a half, Avery has had the most amazing behaviorists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, preschool teachers, one-on-one aides and teachers. He continues to grow by leaps and bounds. He’s talking, learning how to socialize, and loves music and singing. Through hours of therapy and prayer, we have learned to use Avery’s strengths to supplement his weaknesses. Every day presents new challenges as well as new successes.
It is because of Avery that I am proud of the person God has challenged me to be. I know now that the reason we are blessed with our children is for this endeavor. We want to support parents, families, and children alike with the knowledge and skills necessary to be their own best advocates. And so, on April 19, 2007, Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center for Childhood Disabilities, Inc. was born.
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LaChan V Hannon is the former School of Education Certification Officer at The College of New Jersey and Executive Director of Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center. She has a Ph.D. candidate in teacher education and teacher development from Montclair State University and researches culturally responsive school practices with particular attention to parent engagement. Her scholarly work is focused on the intersectionality of race, disability, and parent involvement as they relate to the professional development for school educators. Her TEDx Talk titled Young, Gifted & Black with Autism was released in 2016. She has published articles and chapters in academic texts including: International Handbook of Self-Study of Teaching and Teacher Education Practices and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
At the age of 9 months, I began to notice some very peculiar habits in my Avery. He was a friendly and affectionate child who was growing up in a house of five children. Of the extremely active five children, Avery was always quiet, always reserved, and often preferred to be by himself. He would stand in the same place for long periods of time, stare intensely at moving objects, and more noticeably, would not acknowledge you when you called his name. My first instinct was that he was deaf. He wasn't talking yet, and the sounds Avery made were muted. People often commented that boys develop more slowly than girls and that compared to my daughter Nile-who is 19 months older than Avery - he was right on target. So I let it go.
At 15 months, I knew something was really wrong. Avery had no words, no sounds, was not walking, was not playing with his sister, and still would not look you in your eyes. My husband and I took Avery for his first audiology exam at 16 months. There was nothing detectably wrong with his hearing. At that moment, I knew what it was. I couldn't say the words. I wouldn't say the words. But, autism was ringing in my ears.
With the help of a wonderfully sensitive developmental pediatrician, Avery was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. Over the next year and a half, Avery has had the most amazing behaviorists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, preschool teachers, one-on-one aides and teachers. He continues to grow by leaps and bounds. He’s talking, learning how to socialize, and loves music and singing. Through hours of therapy and prayer, we have learned to use Avery’s strengths to supplement his weaknesses. Every day presents new challenges as well as new successes.
It is because of Avery that I am proud of the person God has challenged me to be. I know now that the reason we are blessed with our children is for this endeavor. We want to support parents, families, and children alike with the knowledge and skills necessary to be their own best advocates. And so, on April 19, 2007, Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center for Childhood Disabilities, Inc. was born.
_____
LaChan V Hannon is the former School of Education Certification Officer at The College of New Jersey and Executive Director of Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center. She has a Ph.D. candidate in teacher education and teacher development from Montclair State University and researches culturally responsive school practices with particular attention to parent engagement. Her scholarly work is focused on the intersectionality of race, disability, and parent involvement as they relate to the professional development for school educators. Her TEDx Talk titled Young, Gifted & Black with Autism was released in 2016. She has published articles and chapters in academic texts including: International Handbook of Self-Study of Teaching and Teacher Education Practices and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
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