Lighthouse Autism Center Shining Example: Gaia

Meet Lighthouse Autism Center’s Child Spotlight of the Month: Gaia.

Gaia has made so much progress since starting at Lighthouse Autism Center! When she first started, she struggled with vocal skills, walking without assistance, independent eating and identifying and sorting items.

Gaia’s Progress at Lighthouse Autism Center

• Now, Gaia is vocally asking for preferred items up to 60 times per day.
• Now, Gaia is walking an average of 850 feet per day in a gait trainer.
• Now, Gaia is reliably feeding herself lunch using a spoon and fork without problem behavior.
• Now, Gaia can receptively identify 40 objects.
• Now, Gaia is reliably matching identical and non-identical objects, photos, and 2D/3D items from a field of 10.

Lighthouse Autism Center Staff Perspective

“Gaia is one of the most resilient and self-motivated learners! When she is determined, the sky is the limit, especially in regard to her progress! Gaia has made significant progress in many areas, but the most notable is that Gaia is walking an average of 850 feet in her gait trainer daily. Her therapists are constantly encouraging her by singing and wearing silly costumes. If you know Gaia, she is always cheering, smiling, and taking one more step toward independence!”

-Brooke George, Program Manager at Lighthouse Autism Center