Featuring the Peruso Family
Jennifer, Nick and Gabriel Peruso at home in Matamoras, PA
(Photo Courtesy of Thomas Duncan Photography)
At three months old, Gabriel was evaluated and qualified for Early Intervention Services provided through the CDD. The services Gabe received thru the Infant/toddler program included Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Special Instruction and Speech Therapy.
Occupational Therapy focused on helping Gabriel drink from a bottle, transition to baby food and then to solid food. OT also worked on encouraging Gabriel to use both hands to reach, grab and hold onto small items. Physical Therapy taught Jenn and Nick to support Gabe’s efforts to lie on his stomach, roll over and sit up. Special Instruction stimulated and supported Gabriel’s cognitive development. Speech services encouraged Gabe to vocalize sounds and taught him sign language to request what he wanted or needed. Gabe was diagnosed with William’s syndrome when he was two years old.
For more than two years, the CDD staff visited Gabriel’s home weekly to support his development of fine and gross motor, cognitive and communication skills. When Gabe turned 3 years old he transitioned to CDD’s center based inclusion program. Gabe attends school 4 mornings a week. Gabe continues to receive Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapies in his classroom program. Gabe is very social and loves to play with his friends, is leaning new self help skills and his language is rapidly emerging.
