When Sonia’s son Mateo was about 18 months old, she noticed something didn’t feel right.
“He had difficulty walking… and there was regression in the speech,” she said.
Like many parents, she started with her pediatrician. From there, she entered the unfamiliar world of Early Intervention for the first time. What she thought would be confusing and overwhelming turned into something very different.
“The process was very easy,” Sonia said. “All About Kids made it very helpful… even though it was my first time encountering how to do early intervention.”
Through All About Kids, her son received evaluations in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychology. Those evaluations helped identify gross motor delays, fine motor delays, and social skill needs after a mild autism diagnosis. But just as important as the services themselves was the guidance she received to navigate the next steps.
“The paperwork becomes a lot,” Sonia explained. “All About Kids guided me on what needed to be done… how to proceed after the evaluations.”
That support eased Sonia’s mind during a deeply stressful period with her son.
“It becomes very frustrating… you see other kids and you’re answering ‘no’ to a lot of those developmental questions,” she said. “You start asking yourself, what am I doing wrong as a mother?”
Services quickly began to make a difference. For Sonia, the turning point came through speech therapy.
“I cried the day that he called me ‘Mom.’”
Soon after came “I want this,” and then more communication. Being able to understand her child’s needs shifted her family’s everyday life in an incredibly meaningful, tangible way.
“It has no price for me,” she said. “It’s very hard to communicate with your child and not receive a response.”
Progress continued in many aspects of her son’s life. Trips to the supermarket became easier. Social hangouts with Mateo and his friends became possible. School became a place where he could thrive.
“At my parent-teacher conference, they told me he’s at reading level… he’s socializing so much better. He’s reading, writing. For me, that’s amazing.”
One moment was particularly emotional for Sonia.
“For St. Patrick’s Day, he wrote that he has a friend that he loves playing with,” Sonia said. “I cried.”
Today, she describes her son as “two completely different kids” compared to who he was at 18 months.
Mateo goes to the library, participates in church events, plays at birthday parties, and is now preparing for his first full-day camp experience this year.
Looking back, Sonia says the experience also changed her as a parent. “This process showed me how much you have to advocate for your child.”
Now she encourages other families to trust their instincts and seek support early.
“Do what you have to do,” she tells them. “At the end of the day, you’re the advocate for your child.”
Stories like Sonia’s are why early support matters.
If you know a family who may benefit from services, or want to learn more about how All About Kids supports children and parents through every step of the process, we invite you to stay connected with us and share this post with others who may benefit from Sonia’s story.
All About Kids is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families who need our help. If you are interested in our services (SLP, ABA, PT, OT, SEIT, Evaluations) please contact us below:
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Stories like Sonia’s begin with providers who step in early and stay alongside families through moments that truly change a child’s life. If you’re a therapist or Clinical Fellow who wants to do meaningful, relationship-driven work like this, we’d love to connect with you at All About Kids.
Explore current opportunities and learn more about joining our team here: AAK Career Page
