At only five years of age, Tyler is so happy and full of energy you wouldn’t believe the challenges he has already overcome! But with the support of Metro United Way’s Excellence Academy program at The Children’s Learning Center at Goodwill of Southern Indiana (CLC) – supported in partnership with Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) and additional resources – he is prepared to enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed.

Tyler was diagnosed with a development and speech delay when he was two. To ensure he stayed on track to learn and grow as much as possible during his crucial early years, he started attending CLC. At first he wasn’t using any words and would scream to express his needs. But Tyler began receiving speech therapy twice a week and his teachers worked diligently with him to learn simple words in sign language. After several weeks of daily observation, Tyler’s teachers recognized the need for additional services and referred him to Southern Indiana Rehabilitation Hospital (SIRH). Here he was diagnosed with Autism and began weekly therapy through SIRH.

With the help of the services he was receiving, dedicated teachers and his own perseverance, Tyler began using sign language and became more involved with the other children in his classroom. He became able to sit with his classmates in circle time without becoming overwhelmed and played with others. Today he is starting to use complete sentences and write his name; he enjoys playing with magnetic tiles in the play and art centers and has even found a best friend.

Thanks to the dedicated staff and resources of the Excellence Academy early learning center at CLC, Tyler is happily now on track to enter succeed in school this fall, and that’s an important first step for success in life!