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The Journey to Founding The Vista School®: A Legacy of Determination
For six months, every morning, Mike Jarman looked in the mirror and confronted a relentless thought: “This cannot be done.” Yet, through sheer determination and an unshakable vision, Jarman and a group of committed individuals proved otherwise, founding The Vista School®—an Approved Private School (APS) for children with autism in Central Pennsylvania.
The origins of this groundbreaking achievement trace back over 20 years, to the delivery room of Harrisburg’s Polyclinic Hospital, where Jarman’s twin sons, Patrick and Sean, were born under challenging circumstances. Both boys faced life-threatening illnesses at birth, battling pneumonia during their earliest days. Jarman, who was working on a project at the hospital, spent those critical days supporting his newborn sons until they were well enough to go home.
Due to their early health struggles, the twins were enrolled in a federally funded follow-up study. The Jarmans, already parents to a 2-year-old daughter, embraced this opportunity. However, it soon became evident during home visits that both boys were missing key developmental milestones. By 18 months, Patrick’s behaviors, in particular, raised serious concerns.
Determined to understand what was happening, Jarman delved into research. His findings pointed to a diagnosis of autism for both boys, with Patrick showing more pronounced symptoms. The search for effective treatments led him to discover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a science-based therapy that offered hope but was virtually unattainable for families of average means. The limited services available to the Jarmans were inconsistent and insufficient—just a few hours a week, when Patrick required at least 40.
“The services we found lacked structure and purpose,” Jarman said. “It felt like babysitting rather than therapy.”
Recognizing the systemic flaws in autism services, Jarman took action, challenging the agencies and systems responsible for providing care. His message was clear: the existing model wasn’t working and was, in some cases, making outcomes worse for children. When pressed to compromise, Jarman stood firm. “I knew I was right, and they were wrong,” he said. “There could be no compromise when it came to the future of these children.”
Despite resistance, Jarman’s advocacy gained momentum. Over two years of contentious litigation followed, as Jarman and other parents fought to establish a comprehensive, center-based model for autism education. Just when their efforts seemed destined for failure, a breakthrough came—the state approved their vision and licensed The Vista School® as an Approved Private School under Pennsylvania law, a designation for nonpublic schools that provide special education and related services to children whose needs cannot be met in public school programs.
The school’s opening was a turning point. For families like the Jarmans, it meant no longer facing financial ruin to access critical autism services. Jarman’s tireless efforts helped redefine what was possible for children with autism in Central Pennsylvania.
Today, Mike Jarman’s legacy continues to inspire. Though retired from his roles as Chief Strategy Officer and a Board Member at Vista Autism Services, he remains actively involved, serving on the Boards of Directors for The Vista School and The Vista Foundation. His unwavering dedication has left a profound and lasting impact, ensuring that countless children and families have access to the services they need to thrive.
It’s a story of perseverance and purpose—a testament to the power of a single vision to create transformative change.
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