Black and white photo of three female children jumping in front of metal door

Katie H, age 5

Photograph by Pola Seeley (2024)

Katie stares adversity in the face and welcomes it with a laugh and a “watch me.” You can see it everywhere – even on the playground where she fearlessly shows her classmates that the playground equipment is not scary! She also has a softer side which includes an infectious smile and lots of cuddles and hugs.
Setting the bar higher than ever, Katie is kicking over barriers. Last August, she graduated from occupational therapy. In the fall, she started kindergarten in a general education class and quickly surpassed the kindergarten reading level!
For Katie, autism is a journey and a constant work in progress. Since Katie was a baby, she began to adopt a “mother hen” mentality. She is an old soul who loves to read, draw, and color. She loves big and cares deeply about others. Everyone who knows her is happy to have Katie in their life.

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.