Finding our Way: Daniel's Path to Independence

By: Nicole Pike

Finding our Way: Daniel's Path to Independence By: Nicole Pike

The journey to Vanguard has felt like the long way home. We took the "scenic route" so to speak, but the trip wasn't always pretty or pleasant, especially in the beginning. My 23-year-old son Daniel was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. Before then, he was already enrolled in a preschool I had always envisioned for my children, but it quickly became apparent that it wasn't the best fit for a child lacking language skills. The school leadership was set in their ways and couldn't, wouldn't adapt to Daniel's multifaceted learning needs, which included school, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and reading intervention, all prescribed by developmental pediatricians and psychologists.

I made Daniel cruise around this preschool until he was 7 years old, mainly because I loved the music program and the lovely music teachers who taught him how to play melodic percussion instruments and told me he had excellent tonal memory. But the other reason I stayed so long, if I'm being honest, is because I was scared about throwing him in big school and really didn't know where to go.

Despite my fears, I eventually placed him in a small grade school where the teachers were kind, and the children were good to him. The school offered opportunities for small wins like holy communion, art auctions, and music contests. I left him there for 4 years, because even if teaching neurodivergent kids wasn’t their specialty, they were willing to give everything a try. But eventually it came to a point when they said they were at a loss about how to help him thrive by their academic standards.

At around the same time our journey in Daniel’s second school was coming to its necessary end, I heard that the legendary learning support director of Brent was putting up his own school for kids like Daniel. I first met Ericson Perez at a Fully Booked event where I accosted him. I told him briefly about Daniel and after a few more thorough meetings, I eagerly enrolled him for the new school year.

The changes we observed were significant. Daniel began dressing himself, dining out became manageable, and he learned to travel safely without darting into streets or wandering off further than our line of sight. In school, he was happy and rekindled his love for music as the proud keyboardist of the One Hope Band, performing at various events.

When the pandemic forced a shift to online schooling, I swear I don’t know how the teachers managed it, but Daniel learned and was thriving. For 2 years he was motivated to attend class, see his friends, and work with his teachers. I was relieved when the teachers kicked me out of the virtual classroom because my presence was distracting Daniel. I couldn’t believe how much the teachers scraped off my plate during this time, sparing me the stress of shadowing Daniel during online class.

The pandemic ended and the wins kept coming. There was prom, then graduation, then an internship. Milestones I had never counted on.

When he transitioned into the Transcend program, for the first time in Daniel’s life, I knew where we were going. Because it is an independent living program, a big part of the program is giving young adults time to live away from home.

Short backgrounder—When Daniel was on his first year in his second school there was a sleepover on campus. Teachers encouraged us to let Daniel have a go, ensuring us they would take care of him. As soon as we got home, we had to turn around. Daniel we were told had been crying inconsolably from the moment we left.

So maybe it is part maturity, part implicit trust in his teachers, but when the day of the first Transcend overnight came last year, Daniel was ready. The picture reports that poured in through Viber showed us a boy who was happy, engaged, and clearly didn’t miss us. This was a very big deal. It was with much confidence that we then sent him to the next weekender, then the out-of-townner, and the most recent trip which was a whole week away.

The last PTC I had, a teacher told us what he had always believed all along—Daniel is an extrovert! We faced the autism diagnosis believing that our kid would be forever withdrawn from society and anxious, but instead we were marveling with disbelief at a young adult completely out of his shell and totally himself. He loves both sides of his big family and loves his friends. In Transcend Daniel found what at least looks like the beginnings of a barkada and a profound sense of belonging.

The beauty about the Transcend program is that it provides a pathway for young adults with special needs beyond graduation, ensuring they continue to learn and acquire new skills. The program serves as a safe harbor for them, offering the support, guidance, and community they need to thrive and navigate their unique journeys with confidence.

I sense a seismic cultural shift as industries open their doors to adults with special needs, offering them purpose, meaning, and dignity. I have no doubt that this change will continue to reshape how our society views adults with special needs, showcasing their potential and the contributions they can make to society. For us, the Transcend program illuminates a previously unseen path, providing a clearer roadmap and giving our son the best odds for leading a fulfilling and meaningful life.

The Vanguard Academy’s Transcend Program offers a three-track program: Education, Housing, and Employment,  designed to empower individuals of all abilities aged 18 and above. It aims to provide the right support for individuals to confidently navigate and succeed in different environments, ultimately thriving beyond perceived limitations. To learn more about the Transcend Program, kindly email them at transcend@vanguard.edu.ph.