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Stephen Colet
 We enrolled Stephen at Pottsville Middle Grade School (AR), August of 2004. We moved out here partly to get away from the hustle and bustle of California but also because of Stephen. Stephen was in a severely handicapped class because he has autism-related problems. He was increasingly becoming more and more violent at school and home and we were at our wits end. He was very frustrated and unhappy. I believe this was because he had very little ability to communicate his needs and wants. He mostly used “hunts and pecks” and a very small hand held device to type out words. He was unable to create sentences or ask questions and while it was a help, it did not give him the freedom to express himself feely.
We arrived in Arkansas with a hope and prayer that things would get better. Since coming here Stephen has become calmer and seems to be much happier. This is all thanks to the great teachers and staff here at Pottsville. Their kindness and perseverance has brought out the best in him. Another great change has since occurred also. Stephen was chosen to receive a free PRC Vantage in honor of their 40th anniversary. He has really taken to this Vantage and uses it all the time. He now tells us regularly what he is thinking. His Vantage is programmed with all the stuff he likes, pictures and icons and access to thousands of words and pre-programmed questions and sentences. It even has songs in it!
He loves to use the Vantage. He used it one day to tell us he was sick and needed to go to the doctor. We previously had to guess about his medical needs, which sometimes meant he went through unnecessary pain and frustration. Another great thing is he is entertaining himself more now. Previously, he mostly relied on us to entertain him. I have since noticed that when he tries to speak his words, they are becoming clearer and easier to understand. He hardly used to try to speak at all but now he actually wants to speak out words. There are many functions on this device we have yet to access. Stephen will have plenty to learn and grow with.
Thank you so much.
Tamara and Nicholas Colet
March 27, 2006
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