Student Success: Communication Unlocks Growth for Camille

When Camille was a young child, her family thought she was introverted because she wasn’t using words the way her peers were. But after she missed several communication milestones, her pediatrician recommended testing for autism. She was diagnosed and began therapy, but her inability to communicate led to significant frustration, isolation and meltdowns.

Camille shown interacting with a therapy dolphin on a recent field trip

“She threw a lot of tantrums,” recalls her mom, Jamie. “Because she couldn’t express herself, we had to guess what was wrong — does your head hurt, are you hungry, are you upset? It was really hard on her and us.”

At her previous school, Camille’s teachers did not understand her needs, recalls her mom, and she was not progressing academically. Transitions were difficult, specific sounds alarmed her, and she often wanted to be alone, even refusing to interact with her baby sister and cousins. Her picky eating and rigid preferences complicated life for her family. Without a way to communicate, Camille’s potential was restricted. 

That changed when an occupational therapist recommended Connections.

Breaking the Communication Barrier

Camille came to Connections in first grade, and her family was pleased to see an entirely different approach. “At her old school, only one teacher connected with her,” says Jamie. “But here, everybody knows her and sees how to build on her strengths.”

The first priority for the Connections team was to teach Camille how to express herself, understanding that her inability to communicate was at the heart of many challenges. They introduced a range of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools, including a core board, which is a visual board with key vocabulary words along with images that she could point to in order to communicate. They also provided an AAC device — a tablet on which she could select words, symbols or images that the device vocalizes. Although these tools helped, they weren’t enough for Camille. They did, however, get her started on the path of learning to communicate.

“She has so much to say,” explains her teacher, Ms. Kristen. “She wasn’t satisfied with one-word exchanges. If she was thirsty, she didn’t just want to say ‘thirsty,’ she wanted to talk about it. That level of thought, combined with her inability to express it, led to behaviors like throwing schoolwork, running from the classroom or dropping to the floor in frustration.”

Camille enjoys time at the playground

At one point, Ms. Kristen spotted a potential goldmine for communication. “We use dry erase markers on students’ desks, and I noticed how much Camille enjoyed writing on her desk. I began writing questions to her, and sure enough, she would write the answers,” Ms. Kristen says. “I’ve learned a lot about Camille over the years, but this approach has let me learn about her from her own perspective. In writing, I’ve asked about her favorite food (Oreos), favorite color (blue) and more. We’ve had whole conversations in writing.”

Over the last year, Camille has taken a remarkable step forward: she has begun to communicate verbally. After years of relying on tools and behaviors to express herself, she is now using her voice. “She’s working to become comfortable communicating with her voice and has strategies — like writing or using an AAC device — to bridge gaps when needed,” says Ms. Kristen.

“They really get to know your child and welcome parents. Connections is like a family, and I’m so grateful Camille is here. She’s a pretty cool kid,” says her mom, Jamie.

Growth in Every Area

Now in fourth grade, Camille is making progress academically, socially and emotionally. She’s gaining confidence in math, building her skills in addition and beginning to explore multiplication. In writing class, she’s working on sentence structure, proper punctuation and grammar. Her reading is progressing to higher-level books, which is expanding both her comprehension and verbal abilities. “She loves to learn,” says Ms. Kristen. “She’ll ask for more work and wants to understand everything.” 

She’s also learning how to manage frustration appropriately. “Now, instead of having a tantrum, she might ask to take a walk so she has a chance to regroup,” says Ms. Kristen. “She’s developing better self-regulation and becoming more flexible.”

Camille's growing social skills are easy to see during recess

Socially, Camille has blossomed. She now eats lunch with a group of girls in her class, engages in conversations about movies and even shares snacks. At home, she spends more time around her family rather than isolating and happily plays with her sister. On a recent school field trip to Island Dolphin Care, she even picked out a souvenir for her younger sister — a far cry from the days when Camille avoided her.

“Camille is really learning how to connect and is more empathetic,” says Jamie. “She even tells her sister she’s sorry if she bumps into her.”

She’s trying more foods, and her sensitivity to sounds and textures is improving. During the dolphin field trip, she faced her fear of water on her face — a big personal step — and was able to relax and enjoy the experience. That night, she proudly watched the field trip videos over and over. 

Camille is a more content, happy student

Restored Hope for Her Future

Looking ahead, Jamie is filled with hope for Camille. “I want her to live on her own one day, further her education, and become whatever she wants to be,” says Jamie. “She’s so smart. She might become a video game coder or keep exploring music, like the piano she plays now. We’re following her lead; she’s going to show us what to focus on.”

Jamie says Connections has made all the difference for her daughter. “They really get to know your child and welcome parents. Connections is like a family, and I’m so grateful Camille is here. She’s a pretty cool kid,” Jamie adds.

Ms. Kristen agrees: “Camille is an awesome kid. She’s grown so much and has overcome many difficult challenges. She amazes me all the time.”