Phillipos
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Bright-eyed nine year-old Phillipos races into the house having just arrived home from the after-school Recreation Support Services program he attends at the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Today his mood is bright but this wasn’t always the case for Phillipos. After relocating to Ithaca In 2007 with the rest of his family including his father Michael, mother Elsabeth, and two older brothers Aven and Yafet, Phillipos began to struggle. Phillipos’ family physician referred him to Franziska Racker Centers due to concerns with Phillipos development and tendency to put small objects in his mouth. Previously diagnosed at age 4 with autism, Phillipos recent increased hyperactivity and impulsivity was also concerning his family. Phillipos had begun to act out in school, struggled with communication and was exhibiting discomfort when in large crowds. His parent’s feared for his well-being when in the community since he did not possess the skills to keep himself safe.
Jennifer Aneshansley, Home Service Director at Racker Centers was the first person to begin working with Phillipos and his family. Jennifer referred the family for a developmental evaluation and began the process of gaining eligibility for services through the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The evaluation provided Michael and Elsabeth with a deeper understanding of autism, giving them insight into how to best meet the needs of their son.
Jennifer suggested that Phillipos begin attending a summer program at the Ithaca Youth Bureau. He also began receiving services through Racker Centers Supporting Success program. By working with Behavioral Specialists Jessica Jones and Sheila Foote, Phillipos began to build skills of independence, safety and hygiene practices. “I recall such distinct strengths in his reading and his preference for routine from very early on,” says Jessica. “Those things were essential in helping us to understand how to best work with Phillipos.” By implementing the use Social Stories ™, devised by Carol Gray of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding, Jessica and Sheila were able to walk Phillipos step-by-step through a task and detail the acts in pictures. Phillipos was able to successfully accomplish the rituals of hygiene and become more autonomous. Sheila Foote states, “Phillipos is such a quick learner, he is a great reader, he reads the story twice and then he has the task down.”
Michael and Elsabeth are just amazed with Phillipos success, “We can’t believe we went through a whole year living in Ithaca without knowing about Racker Centers,” says Elsabeth. Michael agrees saying, “We saw his behavior improving and this gave us a more positive outlook.” Phillipos continues to receive services and spends more time out in the community. Genevieve Labe, his Community Support Staff states, “the many things that we do together in the community have made him more confident and vocal with me and others.” The support from Racker services is helping with Phillipos’ development and also giving Michael and Elsabeth much desired one-on-one time with their other sons. “Now everyone in the family is getting their needs met,” says Jennifer.
(Photo: Brother Aven, Mother Elsabeth, Phillipos, Brother Yafet, and Father Michael)
Today Michael and Elsabeth take advantage of the trainings, social events, and items from the Autism Lending Library offered to families through Racker Centers. They attribute Phillipos’ growth and success to Racker Centers, the Ithaca City School District and the Ithaca Youth Bureau. They are joyful in the fact that Phillipos can now sit with the family through meals at their home and Aven and Yafet enjoy that their brother can now play with them, “even if he does tell on us,” they say with a laugh. Phillipos has big plans ahead, saying he would like to attend Cornell and become a doctor when he grows up. His family is very proud of Phillipos and thrilled that their son recognizes that his future is bright with potential.
