“As a single mother to a non-verbal autistic child, the thought of placing my daughter in an early education setting was terrifying. I wanted to be sure her needs would be met in an environment where she wouldn’t feel isolated or left behind. We began in the Early Head Start program, where she was embraced with compassion. Her transition wasn’t easy, but the results were amazing. We both found something we were longing for: community. Over the past year, I’ve seen Davinia open up and socialize with others. Her gross motor skills have improved, and most incredibly, I’ve begun to hear her voice—a moment I had only dreamed of. LEO hasn’t just helped Davinia—they’ve supported me as a parent. I worked closely with an education specialist, who guided me through the IEP process. I look forward to family nights, and I value check-ins with her team. Today, I’m working as a Case Manager for AgeSpan in Danvers while completing my degree at North Shore Community College. None of this would have been possible without knowing my daughter was thriving at LEO. I am forever grateful for this program.”