Round and Rounds…

“I want to go to the aerobics room, Lisa.” Although this is what you hear from 6-year-old Jason Herman now, three years ago it was a different story.

Jason came to the Child Development Center almost three years ago. His parents Jeff and Jennie Herman had several concerns involving Jason’s development. He never wanted to sit at the table with others and never interacted with other children. Jason was diagnosed with speech delays, a learning disability and possible Autism.

Jason had a difficult time with dressing and undressing skills. He had a fear of water and riding horses. Jason never wanted to join in group activities. He would not go into the aerobics room for a group activity because of the loud music.

When we were first introduced to Jason, we immediately noticed his fascination with fans. He called them “round and rounds”. For Jason, fans were fascinating. He would stand in front of them and say “goes round and round”. The security Jason found in fans is what gave Father Paul the link necessary to draw him into the program.

One day, during an activity in the aerobics room, Jason was becoming upset due to the loud music. Father Paul and one of his students led Jason out of the aerobics room and into the basketball gym. In the gym was a fan, which caught Jason’s attention right away. Father Paul suggested to the student that they find something to lure Jason away from the fan, so they took a ball and gave it to him. Jason took the ball, twirled it around and said “ball go round and round.”

That first association Jason made between the fan and the ball, both “round and rounds”, was what broke the barrier and allowed for Jason’s continuous personal growth. Unlocking the mysteries of his mind through everyday events amazed everyone around him.

Thus far he has made remarkable progress. He loves swimming and is now able to dress and undress himself. He knows each child in the center by name and notices if anyone is absent. He also assists Lisa in calling the children to the table. He sits down and eats with his peers and cleans up his plate when he is finished. He also loves riding the horses and knows each of their names.

Jason also loves singing and group times. He waits his turn and picks his favorite song, “Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee”, to sing with the group as well as singing in front of the group by himself.

Jason has made remarkable progress, and his parents agree. “We are very proud of Jason and the strides he has made. We also appreciate the program for all it has done for our family”, says Mrs. Herman. 

For the remarkable progress Jason has made and the family involvement in reaching his goals, The National Institute on Developmental Delays has honored the Herman Family as Family of the Year for 2004. The award was presented to them at the fundraiser held on March 27, 2004.