Elijah is an incredibly happy child with a contagious laugh. He brings a sense of adventure and excitement to his family. He has inspired them to see things differently and has helped them to keep a positive perspective. His mom, Crystal, says, “Slowing down in a fast-paced world is not a bad thing.” 

Diagnosed with nonverbal autism, global delays, mixed language disorder, and sensory processing disorder, Elijah now speaks—and he has a lot to say! “We were so proud when Elijah found his words and was able to speak to us” says Crystal. “We used sign language and a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for a while. Then one day, Elijah told my husband, ‘I love you, Daddy.’ You could have mopped us off the floor. We had waited a long time to hear him speak and for him to choose those words was beyond heartwarming.”

Elijah absolutely loves water. He is an enthusiastic fan of water slide videos and loves going to his local water park, taking many turns on his favorite ride. He is such a frequent visitor that many of the employees know him by name. He also loves to swim and has been in lessons for several years.
Elijah is a big family man, whether he is spending time with his sisters, helping his mom with the dogs or in the garden, or being a helpful assistant in the kitchen, you can always count on Elijah to be there. His parents imagine a fulfilling future for him as a college student who will make his mark on the world just like he has made his mark on their hearts. They are hopeful with his determination and hard work, the world will be limitless for him.