Landen is a happy child who loves to laugh. He can be shy when he first meets someone, but it only takes a little time for him to warm up. He enjoys climbing, playing with musical instruments, jumping at the trampoline park, spending time with his brother, and being tickled. The hanging tent he received at Christmas brought the biggest grin across his face and his family loved how much joy it brought him in that moment. His family hopes to see him live a life filled with growth, confidence, and independence.
At three years old, Landen was diagnosed with autism after not meeting some developmental milestones. He began the BabyNet early intervention program at 18 months and has attended public school along with outside therapies since then. Communication can be challenging for his family because he is nonverbal. Even so, Landen works on his speech both at school and in therapy, and he has made meaningful progress over time. His determination continues to show in the small, but important, steps he takes each day.
A special moment for Landen’s family was when he said “I love you” for the first time without any prompts. They hope he continues to build skills to help him care for himself and advocate for his needs. They want to see him experience the world in his own way and find a sense of belonging, surrounded by people who understand him, respect him, and recognize his strengths. Most of all, they hope he is happy.