Kaufman Center's 'Train In' Program Gives Autistic Boy's Family Hope

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - "A year ago, he wasn't verbal. He was screaming and having outbursts. He was covering his ears. I was told he was severely autistic (and) would probably never talk," said Mechelle Geier.

Her son, seven-year-old Trevor Geier, is doing everything many said he could not, but getting him to that point hasn't been easy.

"We … went through thinking that he had lost his hearing (and) went to several different doctors before somebody had actually mentioned autism. It was his third ENT appointment that we heard autism," Geier said.

Autism affects 1.5-million Americans, and for most parents the early years are the toughest.

Geier told FOX 2's Alexis Wiley, "You think, can this be happening to my child, my family? And then, what can I do to help it?"

Trevor's mom did her research and found the Kaufman Children's Center in West Bloomfield. Trevor's been enrolled in a unique program called "Train In".

"The children come for two and a half hours a day, five days a week … to receive intensive intervention in speech language and play interactive type of skills," said Carol Afflerbaugh with the center.

It's made all the difference.

"I'm excited about it now instead of feeling in that dark place," said Geier.

"To see those changes is just a gift," Afflerbaugh said.

Geier wants to share that gift with other families. She's started a foundation to help families pay for speech therapy and other services that Michigan insurance companies won't cover. Most of all, she wants to share Trevor's story and give families hope.

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Related Link:

Kaufman Children's Center in West Bloomfield

FOX 2's Autism & Development Page