Support When She Needed It Most

As a member of the local health care community, Megan Cutler had referred many of her patients to CDR over the years. But it wasn’t until her daughter, Ella, needed services that she realized just what a difference CDR can make.

Ella was born with Turner syndrome, a chromosomal condition that can cause a variety of medical and developmental problems, including heart defects and challenges with spatial awareness and socialization.

When Megan reached out to CDR, Ella was quickly assessed by therapists in CDR’s Infant & Parent Program and was assigned to her own CDR early intervention specialist and service coordinator, Beth Ford.

“Ella’s speech was a little behind, and she was eligible for Developmental Playgroup,” says Megan. “We had help from speech and occupational therapists, and Ella has just blossomed in playgroup. She is doing so well.” Beth assesses Ella regularly to make sure she doesn’t fall behind.

In playgroup, Ella has learned how to socialize with her peers and with adults, and she’s developing skills such as sharing and taking turns — skills she’ll need when she enters preschool and kindergarten. She’s even made several friends in playgroup, which thrills her parents.

Megan says her daughter isn’t the only one to benefit from CDR. “As a mom, I’ve learned so much from CDR therapists about how to talk with my daughter and play with her so that I’m helping her learn every day. I’ve also developed a group of friends from the Parent Group who’ve helped support me.”

Megan says Ella’s developmental skills are always improving, and, with the help of her therapists and Developmental Playgroup, she is now on track with her fine and gross motor skills. “I can see such change in her abilities to feed herself, interact with other children in playgroup, and even talk about her experiences. It’s been so exciting.”