What’s in a Name?

Sometimes a name personifies tremendous perseverance

Serat is a young man with many exceptional talents and abilities.  He has worked industriously to attain countless breakthroughs—skills that have increased his independence.  In addition to other severe developmental disabilities, Serat has been diagnosed with autism.  In November 2009, he became one of the first participants of CARC’s newest resource: the Autism Services Program.

One of Serat’s particular challenges was conceptualizing and replicating letters. For years—throughout educational programming from youth to young adulthood, he strived to write his name.  Coming into CARC’s Autism Services Program, his initial goal was not to write his name, but to simply work on creating the letter “S.”

Within the affirming environment of the Autism Services Program and with the consistent guidance and encouragement of Susan Gardner, Director of Autism Services and staff member, Ann Dankof, Serat discovered a program that understood his unique needs and worked with his strengths. 

In December, Serat began to work on printing his name…due to the nature of his disabilities; this was a challenging goal—one not attained throughout the entire duration of his special education programming.  In February—just a few brief months after joining CARC’s Autism Services Program, Serat--with no model or assistance, wrote his name…perfectly.

So what is in a name?  Sometimes a name may represent a significant accomplishment.  Sometimes a name may help to define a program designed specifically to meet individual needs and target personal goals.

Still there are times when a name epitomizes a young man with tremendous perseverance…a young man with a simple yet most significant ambition and the determined personal resolve not to be denied until this intention was realized.

Sometimes a man like Serat personifies the

“power of people and possibilities.”