Most parents would love for their children to pick up after themselves and keep their toys in order. But for Maria and Ricardo Machado, seeing their daughter Maria amid disorganization is a joyous sight.
Four-year-old Maria was diagnosed with autistic tendencies and a speech delay last July. Like many people with autism - a complex developmental disability that begins in the first three years of life - Maria found comfort in a world of rigid structure and repetition. As little as eight months ago, Maria would obsessively organize everything in a room by color and shape.
Today, Maria's parents say she is as chaotic and disorganized as any other child her age.
The Machados said they attribute Maria's success to the Son-Rise Program, which is based on the belief that love and dedication from parents and trained volunteers can help children overcome autism. They discovered the program on the Internet and started working with Maria in their Athens home in January.
One of the most distinct things about our program is we join in the child's ritualistic and repetitive behaviors
said Sayulita Robinsong, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts-based program. By joining children in their repetitive behaviors, the caregivers can draw them away from their behaviors and initiate interaction.
Maria's repetitive behavior was coloring green blocks with chalk and then licking them, Mrs. Machado said. After her mom joined Maria in coloring and licking blocks, Maria responded for the first time.
The first time she looked at me it was after a month Mrs. Machado said. She smiled
and we made a connection.
Mrs. Machado said it was hard to join Maria at first, but her love for her daughter was enough to make her try.
I said
'I don't know why you do it
but I love you
you're my child; I'll give it a try
' she said.
Maria's parents and other volunteers work with Maria in her playroom, an important part of the program.
We create a safe
distraction-free play area
called a playroom
and it facilitates an environment for the child to learn and grow without distractions
