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 He was only three years old but Thomas* knew what hunger felt
like. He had experienced loneliness and filth too. Neglected by his parents, he
was often left alone, unwashed, with little food and dirty clothes. When the
Missouri Children’s Division referred him to The Children’s Place, life, however, began to change for Thomas.
When Thomas arrived at The Children’s Place, he was living with relatives
who were trying to help him but finding it very difficult. He did not express affection and was aggressive, yelling and hitting. Sad and scared, tantrums and tears were frequent events. Sometimes he wet his bed. Due to significant
developmental delays and behavioral issues, he was enrolled in the agency’s
Day Treatment Services program.
After enrollment, Thomas adjusted to the classroom routine. For many children, the daily classroom routine is the first time they have ever had a
healthy pattern to their day. Thomas was provided with a full battery of services: early childhood education, individual therapy, speech/language
therapy and occupational therapy. As the weeks went by, his therapists and
teachers began to see a happier, more successful little boy emerge. He started
to actively participate in classroom activities and was a quick learner. His
therapist was pleased at the trust he showed in her as she helped him work
through his emotional and behavioral issues.
After 13 months, Thomas had achieved the goals set out for him and was
above average for his age in cognitive and social/emotional skills. He had more
self-confidence, had become a leader in his class, and was ready to enroll in a
mainstream preschool program.
The success of The Children’s Place services is demonstrated in Thomas’ story
and the stories of so many children like him. The agency is uniquely qualified
to provide the specialized services and evidence-based treatments these
traumatized young children need to overcome their horrific experiences. With
the opportunity to heal and grow, young lives like Thomas’ are changed forever
and bright new vistas open up for their futures.
Read Another Story of Success about the Children We Serve
*Not his real name
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