Easter Seals Disability Services

Wesley Clowers

Wesley Clowers will be 4 years old in December and is a very energetic, loving and happy little boy.  His mom and dad are very proud of him and love every minute of watching him grow and develop!  He keeps them entertained with his many surprising and adventurous antics. 

Wesley was born with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and an AVSD heart defect.  His heart defect was corrected with surgery when he was 5-months old.  His passions are playing the piano, drums and now singing in the car to the Beatles (he really is very musical) and watching or making the automatic garage doors go up and down (this phase his parents hope he gets past soon).  His Early Childhood Intervention therapy with Easter Seals of Central Texas began at his daycare in the fall of 2008.  When he turned 3 years old, he began speech therapy at the Round Rock location.  He has made so much progress in the last year.  He started signing when he was almost 2 (with “dog”) and now has many signs he communicates with along with some words and word approximations. 

Currently, he recognizes and says word approximations for the numbers 1-9 (he does not pronounce the beginning consonant but vocalizes the correct vowel sounds) and is starting to say letters in the alphabet.  He has also begun to include some consonants in words that he previously left out, i.e., from “at” to “cat”.  He has gone from sign language accompanied by non-verbal word approximations to signing with some words and is beginning to replace some signs with words.  Wesley and his family are very excited about the upcoming year and representing Easter Seals Central Texas throughout the community.

David Kennedy
2010 Adult Ambassador 

David Kennedy is a 23 year old young adult with Autism.  David was born and raised in Austin Texas.  He was diagnosed with the Autism spectrum disorder when he was five years old.  Through early intervention and individual life planning, David has been able to enjoy a full life that includes: work, family, and social activities. 

David presently lives at home with his mother in the southwest community of Circle C.  David received his education through the Austin Independent School District. Through the school district David was able to participate in the Go Project, a special high school program for special needs students. The Go project was hosted by St. Edwards University campus in South Austin.  St. Edwards’ staff and students, work alongside the Go Project teachers, which are Austin Independent School District teachers. The results are a special mentoring opportunity which promotes education, and successful transition into the workplace, once a student, such as David has graduated from school.

David came to Easter Seals Central Texas in 2008 after he graduated from the Go Project. He began receiving services from Easter Seals Central Texas Transitions and Job Coaching Coordination programs where he received additional job coaching to assist him in his employment position with HEB groceries. He is a bagger and customer assistance clerk. These programs are a part of Easter Seals Central Texas Employment Services program. After his job coaching was complete, Easter Seals Central Texas became his ‘follow along specialist’, for his employment. 

David has indicated he would like to study sign language.  As a result, he takes a sign language class once a week, through another Easter Seals Central Texas program known as liberation station.  He enjoys interacting with people and has a genuine interest in working with hearing impaired people in the future.  David was recently selected as Easter Seals Central Texas Ambassador for 2010.  David enjoys life and enjoys meeting new people and sharing his enthusiasm.