| Jessie: Entrance into Pre-School At 18 months of age, Jessie's parents received the confirmation that Jessie's challenges fit the diagnosis of PDD/Autism. They immediately sought and received Community Bridges' Early Intervention PT, OT and speech services that continued up until Jessie's 3rd birthday. During this time Jessie also received "behavioral" consultation through a grant program at Community Bridges that focused on developing strategies to increase Jessie's communication abilities.
A few months prior to Jessie's 3rd Birthday, Jessie and her parents were connected to Community Bridges' Family Support Department and were assigned a liaison to work with the family. The family requested assistance to plan and prepare for Jessie's upcoming entrance into the school system-something that Jessie's parents feared she was not "ready for." They were also concerned that the in-home therapeutic services that Jessie received up until her 3rd birthday would no longer be available, and that the services she was eligible for from the school system might not be intensive enough to meet Jessie's needs.
Initial planning sessions with the school system facilitated the development of a cohesive, collaborative team. The school system agreed to offer a modified school day for Jessie, and a flexible schedule for the 1:1 paraprofessional who would be assisting Jessie in the school setting in the morning, then at her home in the afternoon. Additionally, PT, OT and speech would be offered to Jessie in the school setting. The behavioral consultation that was so critical to Jessie prior to her 3rd birthday would also continue through grant funding from the Family Support Council.
| 
