August is a month when most people are thinking about heading back to school. This month, we want to celebrate the “graduation” of one of our recent attendees from the Day Therapy Program at Autism ETC Nashville. Elijah Stove started services at Autism ETC when he was 5 years old. 6 years later, he “graduated” and will be attending public school full-time this fall.

Elijah’s mother, Cassandra Stove, explains. Before Elijah was diagnosed with autism, I had never heard of anyone having the disorder. “Elijah was non-verbal, he was not potty training, and he had tantrums,” said Cassandra.

Elijah was diagnosed when he was almost 4 years old. “After his diagnosis he enrolled in another program. He only received services one day per week. We quickly learned we needed more help than they could offer. After reading everything I could find, I knew there had to be better programs. I just kept fighting to get him the help he needed.”

A colleague of Cassandra’s suggested she contact Autism ETC. At that time, Autism ETC was located in a small house on Holt Road in Brentwood. “When we first came to Autism ETC, I wondered how a anyone could work with my son in this little house. I was amazed that a stranger could have such a big heart for my son. They let Elijah be himself but helped him to become a new Elijah. When I talked to them, they did not think I was crazy – they heard me. They cared about us. Elijah was non-verbal and presented a danger to himself by running away and having tantrums. It was scary, but the staff were not afraid. Not only did Elijah improve, I began to improve. I was learning how to work with my son. If something they suggested did not work at home, they would create another plan.”

Since coming to Autism ETC, there have been a lot of changes. Elijah has made tremendous progress. “We have crossed a lot of finish lines with Elijah. He still struggles with talking, but the staff have taught him to use an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device so that he can communicate with others. He is now potty trained and no longer has tantrums,” said Cassandra. “He understands words and structure; he is able to follow commands and directions. These improvements have allowed him to take the next big step of fully integrating into public school.”

Cassandra says it was a difficult decision to allow Elijah to move into the public school system because Autism ETC has become like family. “Just as they have watched him grow and develop, we have observed the center and staff grow and develop. In 2020, Autism ETC moved from the little house on Holt Road to a large, state-of-the-art ABA Center near Opry Mills.”

As Elijah transitions full-time into public school in the next few weeks, the staff at Autism ETC continue to help with his transition. “They have communicated with the school and have created exit plans,” said Cassandra. “The staff continues to communicate with Elijah on a regular basis.

I have told other families, ‘I have been where you are but it you give it a shot you will see it will be okay’.” Cassandra also credits the parent training offered at Autism ETC with helping her and Elijah succeed. “If I did not understand something, they would go back and repeat the concept to me so that I could learn. Their training was one-on-one, teaching me to help Elijah. Receiving services from Autism ETC is a family affair.”

Cassandra’s view of the future: “I can see Elijah being independent in school. I see him becoming the best Elijah he can be. I believe he will succeed beyond measure and one day he will be verbal.”