The mother of an autistic boy finds hope
Emmett Kestner is a smiley boy with autism who is known as a hugger among the Mount Rogers Community Services staff who work with him.
At 7 years, he is tall for his age and wears black-rimmed glasses. He is friendly, curious and happy. One other thing is that you should be ready for hugs when Emmett is around.
"Everything about Emmett is very genuine," said his mother, Jess Kestner. "If he gives you a hug he really means it."
Autism with complex medical conditions
He also has autism with complex medical complications that include a rare form of epilepsy that affects his brain. Only 0.5% of children with the disease have the specific condition.
Emmett does not talk, is prone to falls and still sleeps in his parents' room. Jess said he acts like a child who is a 1-year-old.
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"The doctors tell us – which we don't lose faith – he's not ever going to be normal with his brain," she said.
Three days a week from 8:30-11:15 a.m., Jess Kestner drops her son off at the Mount Rogers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) facility in Marion, Va.
"As soon as we pull in, he is so smiley," Jess said. "If we don't get out of the car quickly enough, he will start crying."
The power of ABA
ABA relies on the use of positive reinforcement to teach new skills, said Christine MacQuarrie, program director of Behavioral Services at Mount Rogers. It is based on the premise that all behavior serves a purpose, even problem behavior.
And if you know the purpose, she said, you can help a person to replace problem behavior with behaviors that allow them more access to family, activities and community.
The requirements for a child to be in the ABA program include:
- Difficulties with communication.
- Behavior, social and sensory needs.
"If the child meets the pre-determined criteria and the caregivers agree to participate, then they are a good fit for ABA services," MacQuarrie said.
Then Mount Rogers staff meet with caregivers to set goals. They find out what the child needs most, the areas of strength and skill deficits.
"Goals that are socially significant and allow for increased access and independence for the individual are of primary importance," MacQuarrie said.
Mount Rogers has ABA clinics with autism services in Marion, Galax and Hillsville, and office-based services in Wytheville. Mount Rogers also offers home-based services in Wythe, Smyth, Bland, Carroll, Grayson and the city of Galax.
Care that adapts
In Marion, Emmett works with Mount Rogers staff members who include Xavia Barnett, Lakyn Atwood, Meah Hill and Gracie Odham.
Three hours is a perfect length of time for Emmett because he still requires naps and tires easily, Jess said. The staff made her and her husband, Cody Kestner, very comfortable with leaving him.
She appreciates the patience of the staff.
"If one thing isn't working out, they just adapt," Jess said.
She hopes to see Emmett show progress – even if it is in tiny increments. Communication is still a struggle as Emmett is not able to tell them things like if he is hungry or thirsty. She is hopeful he will learn to communicate.
"I love them here," Jess said, "because they don't give up on Emmett."
Mount Rogers is a top provider of community services for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders in southwest Virginia. Its services include geriatric, counseling, early intervention and others in Wythe, Smyth, Carroll, Bland and Grayson counties and the city of Galax.
