Editor's Note I didn’t think it was possible By Darcy L. Fargo

February 19, 2025

His public speaking teacher said he’s continuing to improve and does very well in her class.

When you have a child who has a disability or needs additional assistance, you are invited to the school once a year for a meeting to review the child’s progress, set goals and plan for the next year’s services. Those meetings are usually attended by a school psychologist, one of the therapy providers (speech, occupational therapy or physical therapy), a guidance counselor, a classroom teacher, a chairperson, parents and, in later years and when appropriate, the student.

We had our plan meeting – Jake’s last plan meeting – this week. As each involved person reported about how great Jake is doing in his senior year, I was pretty darned proud, and I was glad Jake got to be in the room to hear it.

When his public speaking teacher commented on how well he’s doing, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

“It’s a testament to how well this process worked that this kid who was completely non-verbal until he was around 3 is now doing well in public speaking,” I said to the group, my voice quivering a bit as I tried not to cry.

His public speaking teacher looked surprised.

“I had no idea that was his background,” she said.

His public speaking teacher had no idea he had a significant speech delay.

I still cry happy tears when I think about it.

When I was the mom of a 2-year-old boy receiving an autism diagnosis, I didn’t think where we are now was possible. I was sometimes mad at God or at least confused as to why autism is part of his plan.

Now, we know we are blessed beyond measure. People often try to give Jake’s father and me credit for his amazing progress, but you could take two kids with the same diagnosis, do exactly the same interventions we did and not get the same outcome. God saw fit to give Jake the capacity to grow into who he is now, a smart, brave, funny, kind, helpful and generous young man. God also brought Jake into relationship with him, and so many blessings have flowed from that.

I don’t know what God has in store for Jake in the future. But thanks to God’s blessings, I’m certain it’ll involved him continuing to improve and do well.