Dakota M - Family Connection of South Carolina

Dakota M, age 12

Photograph by Teri Byrdic (2022)

Dakota is hilarious, quick witted, and quirky. He can be cautious in conversation, but he gives the best hugs.

Dakota was in foster care in several different settings before being placed with his family in 2014. He had multiple mental and behavioral diagnoses that did not accurately reflect his needs. After more than 70 evaluations and appointments in three months, his family learned he had unilateral hearing loss, two vision impairments, speech delay, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing disorder.

Today, Dakota is excelling in school. At one time, he had 27 Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and was in a self-contained setting. He is now fully included in general education, is in advanced placement math and ELA, and has received Honor Roll every year since the second grade. His determination and resilience, despite facing more challenges than most adults, is inspiring.

Outside of school, he is an avid reader. He loves his dogs, gaming, Legos, and putting puzzles together.

His mom, Jena, says, “Dakota has taught me more about advocacy and inclusion than any class, book, or practicum experience. He carries his differences with grace and confidence.”

Things that make his family proud?

Watching Dakota advocate for himself and his needs in his IEP meetings and watching him grow into a loving big brother!

Dakota es divertidísima, ingeniosa y extravagante. Puede ser cauteloso en la conversación, pero da los mejores abrazos.

Dakota estuvo en régimen de acogida en varios entornos diferentes antes de ser colocado con su familia en 2014. Tenía múltiples diagnósticos mentales y conductuales que no reflejaban con exactitud sus necesidades. Después de más de 70 evaluaciones y citas en tres meses, su familia se enteró de que tenía una pérdida auditiva unilateral, dos deficiencias visuales, retraso en el habla, TDAH, ansiedad y un trastorno del procesamiento sensorial.

Hoy en día, Dakota está destacando en la escuela. En un momento dado, tenía 27 objetivos del Plan de Educación Individual (IEP) y estaba en un entorno autónomo. Ahora está totalmente incluido en la educación general, está en matemáticas de colocación avanzada y ELA, y ha recibido la Lista de Honor cada año desde el segundo grado. Su determinación y resistencia, a pesar de enfrentarse a más retos que la mayoría de los adultos, es inspiradora.

Fuera de la escuela, es un ávido lector. Le encantan sus perros, los juegos, los Legos y armar rompecabezas.

Su madre, Jena, dice: “Dakota me ha enseñado más sobre la defensa y la inclusión que cualquier clase, libro o experiencia práctica. Lleva sus diferencias con gracia y confianza”.

¿Cosas que enorgullecen a su familia?

Ver a Dakota defenderse a sí mismo y sus necesidades en las reuniones del IEP y verle convertirse en un cariñoso hermano mayor.

Family Connection of South Carolina provides services and resources to families who have a child with a disability or specialized healthcare need. Since 1990 we have served more than 100,000 families and today our services are needed more than ever. We focus on parent-to-parent support, guidance with navigating the complex healthcare system, and assistance with school meetings and special education plans.