MEET NOAH

Productive conversation among a team of committed professionals is helping seven-year-old Noah find his voice.

Noah is one of the children whose needs are being addressed by the Community Supports team at the Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Service Coordinator Nicole Smith met Noah at a time when his educational future was uncertain. His first year of school had not been easy. He struggled to feel safe, and his disabilities made it difficult for him to communicate. As a new school year neared, there was even talk of him not returning to the classroom.

Noah and his mom, Rebecca

Nicole asked for patience.

“I wanted us to pump the brakes and see how Noah would do in first grade before we moved in another direction,” Nicole said.

That’s when a circle of support formed around Noah and his family. Intervention specialists at his school, therapists, providers, support staff, and others came together to talk about what he needed in school.

“As more people came to the table, new ideas and possibilities emerged for Noah,” Nicole said.

This network also gave Noah’s mother, Rebecca, the supports she needed to help him. The team worked with the Family and Children First Council to provide various therapies for Noah and much-needed respite for his mom.

“I didn’t know how much help they could give, but they made me feel comfortable and more confident,” she said.

The team started meeting regularly to reflect on what was and was not working for Noah. As classroom routines became effective, his mother began mirroring those strategies at home.

Consistency across environments is important and the benefits are beginning to show. Noah is more sociable since he’s been able to go to school and has started to speak more. He is also using some sign language to communicate.

“He lets me know and shows me what he wants now,” Rebecca said.

Noah’s plan is tailored to his needs. He receives speech, occupational and physical therapies, and his circle of support is with him every step of the way.

“They are always there if I need to reach out and are quick to respond to my questions,” Rebecca said.

Rebecca noted that parents of children like Noah don’t always know what they need for their child or where to go.

“I was afraid at first and didn’t know what to ask for,” she said.

Rebecca said the support she is receiving now has taken weight off her shoulders and her goals for Noah are within reach.

“You feel so overwhelmingly happy for your child when you are able to get the things you want, but didn’t think you could,” Rebecca said.

The team-based approach has changed the game for children like Noah who have developmental differences like autism and Down syndrome. It fosters creative collaboration and ensures that care and planning are individualized. To learn more about how the County Board supports school-age children, contact Community Supports Director Amanda Tharp at 740-695-7433, ext. 308.

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