When people think of autism in young children, there is often a preconceived notion of what that looks like. From avoiding eye contact to disliking physical touch, most people could list off autism symptoms if you asked. But just like the unique person autism affects, the symptoms are unique, as well. Perhaps no one knows this as well as Tonya Quigley and her son Preston.
“I live in a smaller town, and at the time when my son was born until we got him diagnosed, a lot of people had stereotypes of what autism looked like - like being standoffish or not making eye contact,” Tonya said. “But Preston is different. He is so lovey-dovey. He didn’t show a lot of the more common symptoms. He was born in ‘99 and diagnosed in 2008, that’s how long it took us to get him diagnosed. At the time, I think the doctors around here were kind of scared to put a label on it.”
While Preston wasn’t diagnosed until he was nine years old, autism can be identified in children as early as 18 months, and a diagnosis at the age of two is considered reliable.
“I was crying every day trying to figure out how to get someone to diagnose him,” Tonya said. “It was rough at the beginning. I think every mom has a denial-type period where they struggle, and I went through that. But once we got the diagnosis and the help, I could embrace it.”
For Tonya and Preston, a late diagnosis also meant a late start to programs and therapies.
“We got diagnosed and I was just trying to get all the help he could get,” Tonya said. “My son loves music, and loves to dance, and when I heard about Music Therapy at Easterseals I knew that’s what I wanted for him. But there was a waiting list.”
Like many disability services throughout Missouri, long waitlists exist for services as providers struggle to attract and retain skilled team members. The state of Missouri sets provider rates, meaning nonprofits like Easterseals can only afford to pay employees based on the state’s funding.
Despite waiting, Preston was able to start Music Therapy with Easterseals in 2011, at the age of 12. Preston, who is nonverbal, was the perfect candidate for Music Therapy, and not just because of his love of song and dance.
Music Therapy is a proven therapy to benefit children with autism. Using music, certified therapists can help improve communication skills, reduce stress, improve mood and social behavior, and boost motor skills and function.
“With music, it just opens up both sides of your brain and helps you communicate better,” Tonya explained. “With autistic children, a lot of the time it’s like they want to tell you something and sometimes they just can’t get it out. With music, it comes, sometimes in little bits, but it comes out more and more.”
Now a dashing 23-year-old, Tonya says Preston has grown tremendously. He is still part of the Music Therapy program, and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Because of this, Tonya has found a way to give back to Easterseals, using her Pampered Chef business. Tonya hosts Pampered Chef parties and donates a portion back to Easterseals.
“This is an opportunity for me to give back to something that means so much to him,” she said. “I would love to do a lot more for Easterseals, but because I’m taking care of him, this is my best way of doing that.”
During the month of August, 20 to 30% of all purchases will be donated to Easterseals, helping more families like Tonya's access life-changing disability programs. Help Tonya raise funds by clicking here.
