By Olivia Minnier

Two brothers excitedly play together in their living room, moving through a variety of toys, while their mom plays along and watches close by.

Dominic Sisson, an 18-month-old, and Beckett Sisson, a three-year-old, both have excellent motor skills and can communicate what they want more effectively.

But it was not always this way, Brittany said both of her sons were born with plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome. Originally, she was referred to Ohio Health for therapy with Beckett, which quickly became a financially unsustainable option.

“It was an unheard-of cost. So, then we heard of Help Me Grow and got him in there, and, everything was amazing,” she said.

Through DCBDD’s Early Intervention program, Dominic and Beckett Sisson were able to get therapy for plagiocephaly-related mobility concerns. Brittany said Beckett was scooting on his butt instead of crawling and pushing off with his left arm. His younger brother Dominic took to scooting on his knees.

“One had pants that were totally worn out in the knees and the other had pants that were worn out in the butt,” she said.

Both brothers graduated from EI, but Beckett ended up going back to address additional concerns as he got older.

“He (Beckett) had graduated from therapy and was about to turn two, when I reached back out because his speech was not moving along. It was at first, and they initially had no concerns, and neither did I, but things changed,” Brittany said.

After an additional assessment, it was discovered Beckett had sensory issues impacting his speech that needed taken care of first, allowing him to focus more on speech and communicating his needs.

Brittany said Andrea Adkins, Beckett’s Primary Service Provider from DCBDD’s EI Core Team, provided additional help for his sensory issues.

“She brought in an OT to help teach me some sensory things as well and it helped a lot,” she said.

Tina Stout, Service Coordinator for DCBDD, said the Sisson family played a very active role in services for both children and incorporating strategies into the home.

“Mom (Brittany) really works to incorporate all strategies and suggestions from her PSPs. Brittany was always very responsive to my contact and scheduling attempts. Brittany was an active participant during the IFSP meetings for both children. Brittany is a great communicator,” she said.

Stout said that DCBDD’s Early Intervention services are truly a team effort, with both children in the Sission family being served by Primary Service Providers who completed the visits and shared strategies with the family to utilize at home.

“Early Intervention Core Team therapists play an important part in serving our families in EI,” Stout said.

For the Sission family’s life at home, the services provided by DCBDD’s Early Invention program could not have made more of an impact. Brittany said Dominic, who has become more mobile and independent, has made outings so much easier.

“I can hold his hand, and, we can walk to the car… and he feels more independent,” she said.

With Beckett, his improved communication skills, he is now able to more accurately express how he is feeling, which has helped tremendously.

“There is sometimes a lot of built-up frustration (that he is more able to express.)” she said.