A Family’s Journey: Oakley’s Story

Our little boy Oakley was born April 26, 2021 after a traumatic premature birth. Oakley was happy and healthy through ended up in the Pediatric Unit at Jim Patterson Children’s Hospital for a week as he was underweight. Oakley was believed to have had low muscle tone and was later diagnosed with Hypotonia.

Oakley struggled to feed, struggled to make eye contact and had sensitivities that led us down the path to an ASD diagnosis. Much of his earliest years were spent seeking out physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage, vision and hearing tests. This included a couple of stays at the Ronald McDonald House in Calgary.

He was a very happy boy and put a lot of work in, especially with approximately a month of intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy in Calgary. Oakley was non-verbal and did not walk independently and was bottle fed. He had a strong aversion to touching toys or almost anything at all. Certainly, this was heartbreaking and a challenge for Oakley.
While sitting in the Ronald McDonald House in Calgary in January 2023 an application was drawn up for Oakley to be considered for the Little Tots Program. We understood the odds were not great to get into the program and the need was and is quite high for both Oakley and other so many other kids.

After going through the application process, zoom meetings and phone calls a final call to accept Oakley into the program was both unexpected and exciting!
A level of appreciation was not lost as there are so many kids that need to find their legs and their voice just like Oakley.
We came in to the Little Tots Program in September 2023.

I was blown away by the professionalism, compassion and dedication that everyone exhibited representing Autism Services throughout this process. This brought a sense of reliability and consistency at a time when we are seeking answers.
Oakley took time to transition. On day one Oakley needed time to adapt and so did his family. He had his trusty blanket in hand and with a couple of bottles of milk he was off every day to Little Tots.

Everyday Oakley was greeted with positivity at the door. This was the beginning of regular session updates. Both were integral for Oakley and his parents.
Oakley created incredible bond with each of his therapists that will forever be imbedded into the fabric of who he is as a person. Make no mistake, this is not just a job you are changing lives for the better. I can tell by the smiles and giggles in every picture. Every moment that you have spent with him has greatly improved his life moving forward.
Regular zoom meetings helped to solidify a game plan with Oakley by utilizing ABA. This is the best practice to create programs and I will vouch for that too. We are lucky to have been provided connection to other parents through parenting sessions and of course one on one sessions to form a plan at home and with his therapists. We are not alone. I have realized I have a lot of work to do too.

The relationships built throughout Oakley’s time here have allowed and encouraged him to work on a wide number of things including:
• Drinking from a cup
• Learning to vocalize letters, numbers and words
• Walk supported and unsupported
• Manding
• Joint attention tasks
• Picking out objects from an array
• Making eye contact
• Clapping his hands
• Oakley was able to take some of his first steps with his therapists and saying some of his first words
• Also, he found his love for his “blue horse” rocking horse here!

I am forever grateful and indebted beyond words to everyone at Autism Services. Thank you for being the kind of people to help others who need it.
Thank you for helping Oakley find his voice, it is so nice to hear, his smile and his footing in life.
Oakley thanks you too!
Dan (Oakley’s Dad)