The Turek Family
In March 2021, we were overjoyed to learn that we were expecting our second child. We soon found out we would be welcoming a baby boy and could not have been more excited. Our oldest son eagerly anticipated becoming a big brother, and we were thrilled to be giving him the gift of a sibling.
Theodore, affectionately known as "Teddy," arrived in early December of 2021, about three weeks before his due date. He has kept us on our toes ever since! Teddy was a happy baby who loved being around his family, listening to books, and relaxing in his swing. The only time he consistently showed frustration was during tummy time.
We tried everything we could think of to make tummy time more enjoyable—new play mats, different toys, mirrors, and countless other strategies—but nothing seemed to help. Around the same time, we also began noticing some developmental and gross motor delays. We shared our concerns with Teddy's pediatrician, and together we agreed that a referral to Early Intervention would be the next best step for our family.
As a Pre-K teacher, I was surprised that I knew so little about Early Intervention and the exceptional wraparound services it provides. At first, we were intimidated by the referral process, but it could not have been easier. A service coordinator contacted us, an evaluation was completed, and we quickly learned that Teddy qualified for several different therapies. We were connected with knowledgeable and compassionate physical, developmental, speech, and occupational therapists. It was through this process that we were introduced to DSC.
Teddy was about one year old when he began receiving physical therapy with DSC and developmental therapy. One of the things we loved most about Early Intervention was that the therapies took place in our home. This allowed our entire family, including Teddy’s grandparents, to be involved in his journey. They could participate in therapy sessions, learn strategies alongside us, and understand how they could support Teddy’s development when they spent time with him. It gave all of us the opportunity to celebrate his progress together and made us feel like we truly had a team surrounding Teddy.
Over the next two years, Teddy continued with physical and developmental therapy and later added speech therapy and occupational therapy. At age two, Teddy was diagnosed with dyspraxia, a coordination disorder. Having a diagnosis helped us better understand Teddy’s challenges and gave us a clearer path for supporting him.
DSC’s Speech Therapist recognized early on that Teddy was very interested in communicating with the people around him and recommended an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device to give him another way to communicate. DSC was instrumental in helping us find the right device and software for Teddy and teaching our family how to use it to best support him. Today, Teddy continues to use his AAC device, and it has made such a meaningful difference in his ability to communicate, especially when he is around new people, other children, or out in the community. It gives Teddy a way to tell us what he wants, what he needs, and what he is thinking, especially when it is difficult for him to use his words.
One of our favorite memories from our DSC journey happened during a physical therapy session when Teddy was about 20 months old. He had begun showing interest in walking but had not yet taken his first independent steps. Teddy’s Physical Therapist brought a light-up toy that immediately caught his attention, along with a small hoop. Throughout the session, Teddy held one side of the hoop while they held the other, encouraging him to take small steps toward the glowing toy.
Then, by the end of the session, something incredible happened.
Teddy let go of the hoop and took his very first independent steps!
We immediately began cheering through happy tears. We will never forget that moment, celebrating alongside Teddy’s Physical Therapist who had helped him work toward that milestone. What may have looked like a few small steps to someone else meant so much more to our family. It was a moment filled with hope and the realization of just how far Teddy had come.
We share Teddy’s story because we know there are other families who may be standing where we once stood, wondering, worrying, and unsure of what comes next. Early Intervention and DSC provided more than therapy for our family. They helped Teddy take his first steps, find his voice, communicate with others, and experience the world with greater confidence. For our family, they provided the reassurance that we didn’t have to navigate this journey alone.
If you are a parent wondering whether Early Intervention might be right for your child, I encourage you to take that first step. Asking questions or seeking an evaluation does not mean something is "wrong." It simply means you are giving your child every opportunity to grow and thrive. Looking back, requesting that referral was one of the best decisions we ever made for Teddy, and we will always be grateful for the dedicated team at DSC that walked alongside our family.
When you support DSC’s Tree of Hope campaign, you help make these moments possible for children and families in our community. You help provide therapies, technology, guidance, and encouragement that can change a child’s path and give families hope for what is possible.
With gratitude,
Henry, Hilary, Will, and Teddy
