At about age four, Alex was diagnosed with autism. His parents, Cristina and Steve, were told he would likely never speak, handle his personal hygiene, or learn to read or write. But thanks to Medicaid under the Katie Beckett program, as a child Alex received intensive therapy and wrap-around services through Child Inc., the Warwick School Department, and the Autism Project. He also received support from RIPIN, an organization that helps Rhode Islanders of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds get the support they need to thrive, and from the United Way of Rhode Island, Cristina’s place of employment.
“For me, Medicaid matters because it has contributed to my son’s ability to speak and to become more integrated and a contributor in our community.”
When Alex turned 22, the family faced a new challenge. It was time for him to transition out of school-based and after-school therapeutic services. Medicaid was crucial at this point in his life, paying for his placement in the adult day program at West Bay RI, an organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It wasn’t easy. “The paperwork was long,” Cristina says. “And the clinical review process through the state’s department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) was challenging.”
But a thoughtful and efficient BHDDH caseworker and Kerri Walker, Alex’s caseworker from the Warwick School Department, helped them through the process.
Today, at age 24, Alex is living life to the fullest, developing new independence, new friendships, and new milestones! He stocks shelves at a food pantry, Westbay Marketplace, cuts flowers at a Trader Joe’s Garden shop, and bowls with his four friends, PJ, Emma, Nicholas and Kaleb. He’s also a Rhode Island Special Olympics athlete. He’s traveled to Portugal with his dad and visited every airport in Rhode Island, where he loves watching the planes take off. His direct support specialist, Mr. Eric, takes Alex and his friends to his favorite restaurant, Rigatoni’s on Warwick Avenue. And, every year Alex helps his family host a fundraiser for the RI Autism Project that draws 80 to 100 people. Alex takes responsibility for putting up posters all over the house thanking people, directs the fund-raising walk, and collects people’s donations.