At Easterseals of the Birmingham Area, a partner agency of United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), progress often begins with a moment most people might overlook. It could be a first word spoken clearly, a bite of food tried without hesitation or a child choosing to engage instead of withdrawing.
For families navigating developmental delays, those moments are life changing. Inside the pediatric therapy clinic, they are the result of clinical expertise and a deep commitment to the whole child.
“At Easterseals, part of what we do is focus on building foundational skills during early development years,” said Melissa Porter, Pediatric Clinic Director for Easterseals Pediatric Therapy.
“Through individualized treatment plans, we focus on the needs of the whole child to ensure they can be successful not only in treatment, but at home, at school and in their communities.”
What feels like play is intentionally structured to help children reach specific goals that extend beyond therapy sessions and into everyday life — without fear of failure.
Finding the Right Support for Her Children
For Geraldine, that approach shaped the trajectory of all three of her children.
“I was confused and lost with resources for my children,” she said.
When her pediatrician recommended Easterseals, she did not hesitate to sign her kids up.
Geraldine’s three children came to Easterseals with different needs. Her oldest daughter Katherine is 17 and has autism and a chromosome condition. She also has a son, Fernando, who is 6 and has autism and ADHD. Her youngest son Angelo is 2 and has ADHD and currently receives speech therapy at Easterseals.
Breakthroughs That Happen Beyond the Therapy Room
When Angelo began speech therapy, he was not speaking at all. But Geraldine noticed that even when he did not say words during sessions, he was still learning.
“One day we were out with our family, and he started repeating exactly what the therapist taught him,” she said. “I realized he was paying attention even when I did not see it.”
She saw the same pattern with Fernando, who started therapy around age 3 and was completely nonverbal. After a year of consistent sessions, his progress surprised even his family.
“Now he talks so much that sometimes I say, ‘Please give me a little break,’” she said. “His speech is better than mine now.”
A Place Families Feel Welcome
Beyond the progress her children made, Geraldine said what mattered most was how Easterseals treated her entire family. As a native of Puerto Rico, she speaks with a different dialect and accent, and therapists took time to understand her family’s language and culture.
“They help not only your child. They help you and your whole family,” she said. “They always make you feel comfortable. When you walk in the door, it feels like coming home.”
Easterseals believes early intervention should never depend on a family’s ability to pay. Support from the community, including UWCA, helps ensure children receive the therapy and individualized care they need when it matters most.
“It helped my family a lot,” she said. “Don’t feel nervous. Don’t feel scared. They help you.”