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Victor first came to our Early Start in Lomita at age 2; his diagnosis was simply "global delays". But Victor had no language, didn't like to be touched and would not make eye contact. Instead of interacting with other children, he ran back and forth from one wall to the other. After three months at Early Start, Victor had made no progress, so we referred him for a comprehensive psychological evaluation. The diagnosis came back: autism.

Victor's mother was distraught. Victor's Dad did not "believe" in autism and would not play an active role in his son's developmental progress. When Dad joined her at counseling, we learned that the couple had serious marital problems because Mom was so focused on Victor that Dad felt like an outsider. Thanks to counseling, Dad began bringing Victor to Early Start, playing with him and going along on Early Start field trips.

Our staff worked with Victor on communicating, transitioning and learning how to do things for himself. He soon began to sit and listen to music, which he dearly loves. The boy who hated physical contact with others began approaching others and touching their faces. Thanks to the physical therapy at Early Start, Victor stopped running from one end of the room to the other. He happily waited his turn to go on the trapeze and to jump into the beloved ball pit.

Victor quickly learned to sign "more" and "all done." He and his teachers used a picture board to select a new activity, such as circle time or outside play. With his therapist, Victor looked at books of animals and imitated their sounds. Through mooing, barking and meowing, Victor learned to make vowel sounds, and then how to connect the vowels to consonants to make words. Victor began to speak!

Victor graduated from Early Start in September and is enrolled in a preschool where children with autism are mixed with typical children. He has a one-on-one aide, and a behaviorist works with his family three times weekly at home to show them how to help Victor learn to deal with his many developmental challenges.

The state's funding cuts and the recently implemented eligibility restrictions mean that Victor (and all the other "Victors") may not receive Early Start services in the future. Research shows that the absence of this critical early intervention will have profound and costly consequences, while preventing success stories like Victor's from happening. Your support will help us continue these vital services.

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How your dollars can help

Your gift will help ECF fulfill some of its most pressing needs:

• Supplies for our Emergency Pantry for Early Start families. Many families served by our Early Start program struggle to meet their basic needs. Our Emergency Pantry provides critical items such as diapers and other dry goods.

• Supplies for the Kayne Eras Center's Enrichment program. Students with learning disabilities, often burdened by years of academic failure, need opportunities to excel. KEC's unique Enrichment program classes in art, drama, music and computers as well as the chance to participate in team sports, helping children discover untapped talents and blossom into confident, successful students.

• A van for our adult program. Among other activities, ECF's Developmental Activity Program takes adults with profound developmental - and sometimes physical - disabilities on field trips to help them practice social skills and participate more fully in their community. Our vans are old and require frequent repairs, making them an increasingly unreliable and expensive means of transporting our clients.

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