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A Path of Progress: The Steffie Family’s Journey with The Vista School®
For Denise and Dave Steffie, the early years of their son Colin’s life were a whirlwind. Diagnosed with autism at 2½, Colin required intensive interventions that demanded significant adjustments for the family. Reflecting on those challenging years, Denise described them as “a big blur,” adding, “This must be what it’s like to have triplets.”
The diagnosis reshaped the Steffies’ lives. Denise left her job to become a full-time caregiver, and the couple delayed plans to expand their family. Slowly, Denise began to understand Colin’s needs and discovered the importance of building a support network to navigate the journey. “If it takes a village to raise a typical child, then it takes that and more to raise a child with autism,” she said.
One critical source of support for the Steffies was The Vista School®. At the time, Colin wasn’t receiving sufficient therapy elsewhere, but Vista offered 30 hours a week of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a data-driven approach to treating autism. This comprehensive care marked a turning point for Colin and his family.
At just 3½ years old, Colin was one of six children in Vista’s preschool program, then housed in a former school building in Middletown. At Vista, he received a wide range of services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy. For Denise and Dave, Vista’s holistic approach was a relief. “We didn’t have to fight to get what Colin needed,” Denise said. “Vista had his best interests in mind.”
Throughout his three years at Vista, the Steffies experienced a true partnership. “Vista staff came to the house and shared strategies we could use at home,” Denise recalled. “Parents could be involved in activities, and I always felt welcome. The staff was helpful and caring. I felt like I was a key part of the team.”
As part of the collaborative process, the team determined that Colin was ready to transition back to his home school district for Kindergarten. Vista supported this transition by providing a consultant to ensure everything went smoothly. For Denise and Dave, this support was invaluable, giving them “peace of mind” about the decision.
Today, Colin is a middle school student balancing time between a regular classroom and special education. His strengths lie in rote memory and math, though he continues to need support with reading and comprehension. Outside of school, Colin thrives in activities like competitive swimming, which he shares with his younger sister Caitlin, and singing in the school chorus.
Over the years, Colin has grown more independent, and his family has found age-appropriate motivators to encourage him. “He loves verbal praise,” Denise said, “or we might reward him with a soft pretzel, a trip to the movies, or swimming. He loves family activities and going places.”
As Colin approaches adulthood, the Steffies are exploring creative options for his future beyond the school system. Their confidence in navigating life’s challenges has grown tremendously since those early years. “We’re thinking outside the box about what Colin might do when he exits the school system at age 21,” Denise said.
The family remains deeply grateful for the foundation Vista provided. “We’re thankful that Vista got us started on the right path,” Denise said. Their journey, from those early uncertain days to a future filled with possibilities, is a testament to the power of comprehensive support and unwavering determination.
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