Children's Hospitals Today - Fall 2022 - 32

VITALS / THRIVING
Community is key
Children's Specialized Hospital fosters a supportive
network for Anthony and his mom.
BY GRANT HEIMAN
therapists through Children's Specialized. The programs
taught Yaquelin and Anthony, who's now 5 years old, how to
play, move and communicate.
Sense of community
Starting this fall, Anthony goes to pre-K in the mornings
and Applied Behavior Analysis therapy in the afternoons.
His new routine includes a new teacher, new classmates
and longer days. " It's going to be an all-new environment for
him, especially after staying at home with me for two years, "
says Yaquelin. " We've been going to the school to help him
prepare and he's adapting really well. "
Throughout these big changes and periods, Yaquelin
Following Anthonyʼs autism diagnosis, he and his mother found a
sense of belonging and essential care at their childrenʼs hospital.
W
hen Anthony Victoria-Garcia was about a year old,
he had a few words in his vocabulary, but in general,
his development was delayed. His mother, Yaquelin Garcia,
was growing concerned. Her primary care
provider was not worried but referred them
to a hearing and speech specialist.
" I know I'm a first-time mom, but
something just felt off, " Yaquelin says. " He
wasn't developing past a certain point. " She
did her own research and found an early
intervention program through Children's
emphasized how supportive the entire team at Children's
Specialized has been. Between the clinicians and caretakers
helping Anthony and the family advisory council that
Yaquelin is a part of, this community has allowed them to
learn and grow throughout Anthony's journey. " There is such
a big community throughout children's hospitals across
the country that most people don't even know about, " says
Yaquelin. " We can help each other because we understand
what other parents are going through. "
THERE IS SUCH A BIG
COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS.
Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, New Jersey.
" Everything happened fast after that, " says Yaquelin. " It was
right before the pandemic, so it taught me a lot and I was
able to work with him at home through the pandemic. "
Then, in December of 2020, Anthony was diagnosed
with autism. He started seeing speech and occupational
Lessons learned
Medicaid has played an essential role in Anthony's care
and provides the funding needed for him to access the
appropriate level of care. " Everything Medicaid and
Children's Specialized have done for us is so
important, and they'll continue to do it for
other children as long as they're getting the
funds they need, " Yaquelin says.
In tough times, whether it's managing
setbacks or holding out for waitlists to see
certain specialists, Yaquelin has learned
that
the number one priority is to just
keep going-even if she's discouraged. " Anthony's not able
to communicate for himself. I am his voice, " says Yaquelin.
" When he can't stand up for himself, it's me. I wouldn't want
it any other way. "
Tell us an amazing patient story. Email magazine@childrenshospitals.org.
32
CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS TODAY Fall 2022
Photo: Michelle E. Photography
Children's Hospitals Today - Fall 2022

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