Theo at preschool


Theo was born on May 15, 2012 a healthy baby boy.
Theo was welcomed into our family by two older siblings, Valentina (currently 7yrs) and Luke (currently 4yrs), and two loving parents, Mike and I, who were so excited to have a new baby in the family.  Theo was a wonderful baby, never crying or upset, but I always wondered "is he too quiet"?  When he turned one he was still not babbling and I started to become concerned about his development.  He entered into the preschool program at Flat Rock Elementary School in the Fall of 2014, just after turning two years old.  Everyone was optimistic that he would "come out of his shell" but Mike and I knew that something still was not quite right.  In March of this year, Theo was diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  This was extremely difficult for me, his mother, to accept and needless to stay, was one of the darkest points in my life.  I immediately looked into Autism Therapies available to help my son.  Our developmental pediatrician recommended 15 hours of intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy per week, citing that ABA was the only therapy proven to significantly improve the functioning, cognitive level, social skills, adaptive skills, etc. of individuals with ASD.  I called Faison School for Autism in Richmond, VA for advise and to inquire about ABA therapy.  To my surprise and dismay, 15 hours of ABA therapy is $750.00 per week out-of-pocket.  I surely thought our insurance would help pay for this as ASD is a medical issue.  Then came another devastating blow...ABA therapy is not covered by Mike's Federal Insurance government healthcare policy.  I could not believe it! The federal government insurance does not cover medical treatment for ABA! How is this possible?  With more investigation I came to  learn that ABA was covered three years ago but had been dropped with passage of the Affordable Care Act.  I have looked into every other possible insurance available for private pay and all refuse to cover ABA.  The only insurance that does cover ABA is with the Virginia State  Government.  Immediately Mike went on a mission to acquire a job with the state government in order to get the benefits our child desperately needs.  However, this has only led to dead ends and no job offers.  After asking some close friends and family, and pulling from our personal savings, we collected 10,000 dollars.  We quickly signed Theo up for Faison's After School Program, which includes intensive, one-on-one ABA therapy, this past September.  We have enough money to last till the end of January....then that is it!  I have tried to get medicaid waivers for my son and have exhausted all potential avenues to secure funding for my son's ABA.  All of his teachers and therapist see the positive impact ABA has had on his language and communication skills and see so much potential in him.  Theo is 3 and a half now and still does not speak but does use some functional sounds to ask for things.  I used to think the most devastating moment in my life was when my son was diagnosed with ASD.  But I was wrong.  The devastation of the diagnosis pales in comparison to the devastation Mike and I feel of not being able to afford to pay for the medical treatment our son needs.  Our son is a loving, happy, sweet, affectionate, and quiet soul with so much potential that just needs to be "unlocked" with intensive therapy.  We love our son so much and are so thankful that God gave him to us.  We feel privileged to be his parents but please....help us to provide for him the therapy to help him be the best he can be!   You have the ability to directly impact and change our son's life in a positive way through your donations.  No matter how big or small, every donation will be greatly appreciated and will have a direct impact in Theo's life and wellbeing!  Please keep Theo in your thoughts and pray for him.  I hope to one day hear the words "I love you mommy" greeted with a big smile.  Please help us make this possible.  Thank you and help us spread the word!  God bless you!

Sincerely,

Jackie Shultz




Theo playing farm at preschool
Theo dancing at school


Theo's first day of school
Family gathering with siblings and cousins



Theo loves taking selfies with mom!