Portraits of Hope

At CARD, we believe in adding value through measurable results. Nothing motivates us more than seeing positive outcomes in the families and individuals whom we treat. Our mission is to provide our clients with the treatment that they need, expand their opportunities to achieve, and help them lead happy, independent lives.

Our mission is to help all of our clients achieve their fullest potential. With scientifically-proven approaches and state-of-the-art technology, we have the tools to ensure that our clients receive the treatment they need to achieve their own goals. It’s a privilege working with these fantastic families and hearing their stories of overcoming challenges.

Now, we’d like to share their stories in their own words because we know that this MISSION IS POSSIBLE. These are the portraits of hope that continue to inspire us, and we hope that they will inspire you, too.

Get involved with MISSION POSSIBLE. Email us at: missionpossible@centerforautism.com

Logan's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Mild-Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder
Age At Diagnosis: 19 months
Began Services With CARD: March 2003
ABA Hours Per Week: 15 to start, Up to 35 in first year, down to 10-15 during last year
Major Milestones: Saying his first word at 23 months old, having a best friend, having his ASD DX removed from his medical chart by his pediatrician in October 2010
Major Achievements: Mainstreamed for his entire school career, playing drums in bands with adults, kicking autism's butt
Hobbies And Activities: Playing drums in a band, singing, Tae Kwon Do, mastering video games, ruling Instagram, reading Wimpy Kid books and chasing girls
Maddy's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Age At Diagnosis: 2 years and 1 month
Began Services With CARD: Began using Skills in November 2010 at 2.5 years old
ABA Hours Per Week: 30 hours
Major Milestones: We started our ABA program in September and in October, she reached out and asked me to hold her hand. I knew then. She would never let anyone hold her hand let alone ask for it! Her tiny little voice said to me after an ABA session, "Hold hand" and she slipped her hand into mine. I knew ABA was working.
Major Achievements: Maddy is 5 years old now and she is in Kindergarten. She spent the last 2 years mainstreamed in preschool.
Hobbies And Activities: Dress up! Maddy loves to play dress up and she loves to be Disney's Belle! She also loves Polly Pockets and My Little Ponies! She is a very social child so she loves to playgrounds! She finds a new friend at every single one of them. In the winter, she goes dog sledding with our family.
Riley's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 3
Began Services With CARD: May, 2008
ABA Hours Per Week: 40 hours
Hobbies And Activities: Nerf guns and swimming in the pool.
Jack Riley's and Nick's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 3 ¾
Began Services With CARD: April, 2011
ABA Hours Per Week: 25 hours
Major Milestones: During an early ABA session, Jack Riley’s therapist was withholding markers from him until he identified which color he wanted to use. Coloring was his favorite activity at the time, but he never had to EARN the opportunity to do it. He screamed and cried and ran away from the therapist, furious about not getting access to the markers. Then, in the midst of his tears and misery, he said it: “Boo” (Blue). Ahh yes, “boo.” We may be on to something here.
Major Achievements: Becoming potty trained, making friends, beginning to engage in a conversation with follow-up questions, learning to read and spell words and then Googling them to find related videos
Hobbies And Activities: Using his computer and iPad, playing with Legos, and watching movies
Name: Nicholas
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 4 ½
Began Services With CARD: August, 1994
ABA Hours Per Week: 40 hours
Hobbies And Activities: Music
Ethan's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 2
Began Services With CARD: November, 2005
ABA Hours Per Week: 30-40 hours
Major Milestones: When he began making more eye contact and connecting emotionally with us, as well as the reduction in aggressive behavior and no longer requiring a therapist to shadow him at school
Major Achievements: Recovery at age six
Hobbies And Activities: Basketball, tap dancing, gymnastics, and acting
AJ's portrait of hope
Autism: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 13 months
Began Services With CARD: July, 2007
ABA Hours Per Week: 40 hours
Major Milestones: The first time AJ said, “Mommy, I love you.”
Kyle's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 18 months
Began Services With CARD: July, 2005
ABA Hours Per Week: 35 hours
Major Milestones: At 3 ½, Kyle went from three or four-word sentences to sentences of ten to twelve words.
Major Achievements: Gifted student, in honors class, won 1st place in horseback riding, won trophy for surfing, reads five grades above his grade level
Hobbies And Activities: Surfing, skateboarding, swimming, tennis, horses, reading, architecture, Legos, and building structures
Justin's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 2 ½
Began Services With CARD: October, 2005
ABA Hours Per Week: 25 hours
Major Milestones: When his 60-minute tantrums became tantrums of only a few minutes
Major Achievements: Recovery from autism on June 12, 2008
Hobbies And Activities: Boy Scouts, Little League baseball, flag football, church youth group, Legos, and video games.
Jem's portrait of hope
Diagnosis: Autism
Age At Diagnosis: 2 ½
Began Services With CARD: June, 2006
ABA Hours Per Week: Initially 35 - 40 hours, then a gradual reduction over the last five years.
Major Milestones: Holding his hand at a Dodger game - Jem walking with me - two weeks after we started treatment
Major Achievements: Starting typical kindergarten on time. Also, the last two years, he has scored in the “high advanced” level on his Math Star tests with no special accommodations.
Hobbies And Activities: Legos, Minecraft, watching animation, and making movies