May 12, 2016 marked a pivotal moment in my life. In a stark juvenile courtroom, I faced the possibility of losing my son, whom I had adopted from Russia six years prior. It was a critical point that questioned my faith and beliefs but also ignited a determination for a better path forward for my family.
Back in 2010, I had brought our two-year-old daughter and three-year-old son into our lives here in the United States. Despite their developmental delays and the emotional scars from their time in a bleak orphanage, we believed our faith and love would overcome all obstacles. It turned out that we needed more.
We were initially unaware of the complex nature of childhood trauma. Our preparation classes didn’t fully equip us for the challenges ahead:
We discovered that conventional approaches, including those designed for children on the autism spectrum, were inadequate for our children’s unique needs.
A pivotal question from the judge in 2016 sparked my resolve to fight for my son. Our journey since has involved:
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Where Do We Go From Here? transforms despair into hope, guiding families through the maze of challenging behaviors at home and school.