Old enough for elementary school but never having left his mother’s side, Haimi needed help, and she needed it NOW! Unfortunately, not all starts are smooth ones and that was the case on Noah’s first day at Optimal Beginnings.  Screaming and crying, while clinging to his mother as tears streamed down her face, the staff at Optimal Beginnings was ready to step in and help! As Haimi recalls, “I’ll never forget that day. That was the most challenging day and the hardest day in my life with Noah.”

Noah’s Journey

Haimi’s son Noah was diagnosed with autism in 2019. Their family had been impacted in a lot of areas, but especially emotionally. The realities of life with an autistic child, day in and day out can be stressful and for this family who immigrated to the US from Ethiopia, it was not only difficult to accept the autism diagnosis, but to find all of the services he needed in one place.  

When Noah first started with Optimal Beginnings in 2019, our team was deliberate about the steps taken for his care.  We began with our Social Skills program, which quickly progressed to one-on-one services. Then a few months later, COVID-19 hit and we transitioned to teletherapy with Noah for 18 months, which relied heavily on Haimi’s participation.  Once the time was right, he started receiving in-home services that focused on:

• Conversational skills 
• School readiness
• Fine motor skills
• Completing tasks
• Recalling information
• Sequencing ability

Noah’s life was transformed by our Integrated Services model as it developed. Every step forward was a sign of progress and a cause for celebration! When we met Noah he had minimal functional language and before graduating from our services, he was able to  have full conversations. From small group sessions to traditional school life, Noah’s journey is one of many examples of why we believe there is a better way to do things! 

A Whole New World

Haimi’s entire family has a whole new lease on life too. They can now travel again and no longer are living a life of restriction. The Optimal Beginnings parent coaching program created plans for new settings. In her parent testimonial, Haimi recalls the challenges in trying to create a peaceful life with a neurodivergent child. ow, her family’s future knows no bounds!

Can you relate to Haimi?  If so, then it’s time for a change, and we can guide you every step of the way.  Our Integrated Services model has been refined over 15 years to offer your entire family a chance at a brighter future.  Our revolutionary approach can change your child’s  life too!  Learn more details by reading our blog here.

Ready to get started? Call us today at (301) 718-1716, or fill in the contact form below!

We have newly renovated spaces at our Vienna, VA office & a brand new office location in Rockville, MD (formerly located in Bethesda) which opened June 2023!