Zander puts a smile on everyone’s face! There’s no need for TV when Zander is around. He will give you a full concert – starting with the “ABCs” and moving on to songs from Madagascar 2 and 3, followed by “Wheels on the Bus” and the “Clean Up Song”. There is never a dull moment when Zander is around!
Zander began speech therapy, occupational therapy and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy at age two. Today, he can tell you the color of the item he wants even if he doesn’t know what it is called. He can name his colors in English and Spanish and count to 20. He is more than a diagnosis – he is kind, loving, strong, and unique. He sees the world in his own beautiful way.
Zander’s family works hard to create consistency and prepare him in advance for any changes to reduce his anxiety. Loud or crowded places can be overwhelming, making family outings and social events challenging. Zander is learning tools and strategies that work best for him, like expressive language, visual supports, and extra time to process and respond.
Watching Zander grow, learn and overcome challenges that once felt so big have been the proudest moments for his family. Every milestone, no matter how small, is a huge victory. He reminds his family that progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. His strength, resilience, and pure heart inspire them every single day.
His family hopes Zander continues to gain confidence and never feels like he must change to fit into the world. They want him to be surrounded by people who understand him, support him, and love him for exactly who he is. The world is better with Zander in it.