Angel Stottle often felt like she was parenting on an island.
Her then-2-year-old son was nonverbal — only able to scream or cry. Goals like potty training seemed an unreachable ambition.
Then the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic came into the Omaha family’s life.
After graduating from the clinic — and receiving more care from MMI later — Von Stottle is a thriving 10-year-old.
The Stottles were referred to the ACT Clinic when Von was about 3 years old.
“Right off the bat, it was the most phenomenal experience ever,” Stottle said. “The ACT Clinic came in, and it felt like for the first time in his life, we had help. We had resources.”
Within a few months, Von was potty trained and started talking. Von’s care team was “exceptional” at working with him, Stottle said, and quickly got him motivated to meet behavioral milestones.
His graduation from the program, at age 5, was bittersweet.
“We were so happy he met all the goals, but we were sad to leave,” Stottle said. “It was an overall amazing experience, and he just thrived.”
Stottle consulted with MMI’s Psychology Department when Von was having behavioral issues at school. Together, the family and the care team worked through the issues and got him back on track.
“As a lot of families with autistic children know, it’s a journey of life,” Stottle said. “At every stage of the game, there’s something new you’re trying to navigate. The thing that’s great about MMI is that I can reach out. If they think there’s something that can benefit him, they can refer me and be my guide.”
Now Von is doing things his parents never thought he’d achieve. He goes to school with his typical peers, can stay home alone and can make himself breakfast.
“They always say early intervention is key,” Stottle said. “It was key. It does take a village. The ACT Clinic truly was the biggest player in that for us. It’s good to have someone in your corner, and that’s been Munroe-Meyer.”