Their nominator writes: Macallie is an amazing, spunky and charming kid who loves trapeze, gymnastics and Barbies! She was diagnosed with autism when she was 3 and ADHD when she was 6. She is adopted from foster care and has brought us joy ever since we’ve known her! Macallie comes from a traumatic background but has defied the odds over and over again. She will attend 1st grade in August and with her IEP and a team of dedicated professionals, she will enter a regular 1st grade classroom. Macallie went through a full year of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy before she began public PreK. It made a huge difference in her ability to respond to others and interact with neurotypical children. However, she still has a huge way to go in learning how to respond to others, to be a good friend, to take turns, to understand daily life and her role in it and how to thrive as a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical world. We believe with continued therapy, Macallie can make great strides in these endeavors.
Heather’s thoughts: I contacted mom who then replied that they actually have two kids that would qualify and told me about Maggie who suffered a traumatic brain injury while living with her birth parents. She is suspected to have FAS as well. Both girls were adopted from foster care. When I got to meet this pair they cracked me up. Loud. Sassy. Hilarious. Little birds full to the brim of energy. Fluttering around the botanical gardens, these perfect pixies lit up my evening with their enthusiasm and charm. At top volume.
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