Carter was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder, anxiety disorder, and PDD-NOS, one of four developmental autism spectrum disorders. The family found it difficult to go out in public making a home-schooled education an easy choice for Carter. Early in his schooling, Carter was plugged into an MCRC writing boot-camp and, consequentially, referred to receive occupational physical and speech therapy at MCRC. He began to make some headway by learning how to live with some his life-long limitations.
“Eating lunch in a cafeteria is not something he would have been able to do.” - Mom
However, not everything was lining up for the 9-year-old. Carter was still struggling with his homework assignments but due to his homeschooling and poor eyesight he had never been tested for a learning disorder. Homeschoolers don’t have as easy of a time accessing many of the resources available to students in public systems so the family had to figure out their next step. It wasn’t until a specialist at Scottish Rite told the Edwards that Carter had one of the worst cases of dyslexia that they had ever seen.
“Without the program, he wouldn’t be reading” - Mom
Prescription in hand, the family signed their youngest up for tutoring at MCRC. Carter started dyslexia tutoring in April of 2017 and he is on track to graduate by this Thanksgiving. Dyslexia is a life-long issue but it is not diagnosed by a doctor and therefore it is not considered a medical problem. There is no medical solution, pill or operation that a child can receive to treat the disability. This is also why medical insurance does not cover anything having to do with dyslexia.
From an MCRC writing boot-camp to physical and occupational therapy and from speech therapy to dyslexia tutoring, Carter has received just about every service MCRC has to offer. Completion of book 6 will signify his graduation from tutoring and the beginning of a bright new chapter in his life. He’ll be in a unique position as a new big brother when his family adopts three extra special children later this year – all of whom receive services at MCRC.
“MCRC has always been a support for us. As a parent and teacher, it really has been a partnership. The therapists care about our family – as people – and they are our cheerleaders and our helpers.”
-Mom
