News
Teen
Realizes Dream
By Elizabeth Prata
Gray--As graduation approaches for the school district's
seniors, many parents watch their young adult children
with pride. Observing their child going through the
transition from cocooned youth to emerging adult is
one that parents both look forward to and worry about.
Adding to the standard transition for the Wilkinson
family of Gray is the pride that accompanies watching
their high school senior daughter, Becky, get ready
for college and a work environment knowing that at
age one, doctors advised the family to place Becky
in an institution, saying that she would never be
verbal nor functioning. 
Below,
Becky and Christina Manikas, Director of Special Education
in MSAD 15.The Monument: Prata photo
Becky has Autism, and is among 1.5 million children
and adults in the United States who have been diagnosed
with the illness. Autism is defined as the result
of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning
of the brain - particularly the areas that relate
to social interaction and communication skills. Children
and adults with autism typically have difficulties
in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions,
and leisure or play activities.
Becky's road has been long and hard, but according
to her family and her devoted educators, she has come
through so far with flying colors. This fall, Becky
will be attending Southern Maine Community College.
"She has gone from terrified young child to a
young woman on her way to college," says Becky's
mom, Sally. "I always heard the phrase, 'it takes
a village to raise a child' and thought 'oh, how nice.'
But it really is true."
Mrs. Wilkinson credits the hard work and devotion
of the SAD 15 Special Services team. They have worked
with Becky in a one-on-one environment at Russell
School for the four years of her High School, and
says that they went above and beyond the call of duty
to help her daughter grow and become a contributing
individual in the community.
"This is all about growth," says Christina
Manikas, Special Education Director for Gray and New
Gloucester schools. "Regular education is all
about growth and special education is too. The Special
Services team helps students develop their unique
needs and gives them academic skills, social skills,
and the self-esteem they need to succeed."
Mrs. Wilkinson knew something was terribly wrong with
her daughter as early as two weeks old. "Becky
didn't cry. If she was wet, or cold, she would not
cry to let me know. Now, babies cry."
Becky was diagnosed with autism at one year old and
was advised that she would always be non-functioning.
Refusing to give up, the Wilkinson family persisted.
They gave Becky speech and language therapy every
day from the age of eighteen months. It wasn't until
the age of four that Becky said her first word. "The
word was 'job'", Mrs. Wilkinson said. "From
always saying 'good job.'" It was three weeks
later, that Becky read her first book. "It was
like a key had unlocked everything," Mrs. Wilkinson
said.
Becky's mother became her strongest advocate, making
sure teachers understood her daughter's needs in the
classroom that she attended part-time and creating
as normal a life as possible for Becky. But as Becky
grew through elementary school, the difficulties that
many autistic children have with in social skills
reared its head and by adolescence, a difficult time
anyway, Becky was placed in the one-on-one situation.
Though Becky was advancing academically, she needed
more attention in the social skills area to ready
for her transition to the external community.
Becky's peer group became her teachers and her family
and her world had shrunk, said Mrs. Wilkinson. "About
a year ago Lisa Millwood, the District's School Psychologist,
put together an intervention team that would help
Becky prepare for life after High School.
"We began teaching Becky the social skills she
might not normally learn in a school setting,"
Ms. Millwood said. The team, which included teacher
Linda True, Physical Therapist Betsy Clark, Guidance
Counselor Kathy Sargent, Joan Tremberth and Glenda
Waterman of Adult Education, and Stacy Strattard,
Special Education Secretary, along with her family,
taught Becky to cope with schedules that change, distractions,
unexpected noises, and social situations such as hosting
a luncheon- all items that many people take for granted
but are significant hurdles for an autistic child.
"I am amazed at what Becky has done. Her mom
and dad worked so hard, and the efforts they have
done here in the school District is amazing. As a
grandmother, I am very proud," said Becky's grandmother,
Wilma Wilkinson. Left, Bill, Becky and Becky's
mom Sally standing, and Grandmother Wilma WIlkinson
seated. The Monument: Prata photo
Brother Bill also is supportive of his sister's achievement
and the District's role in helping to influence Becky.
She's come a long way, exponentially. There were things
I didn't think she could handle but then she does
it and it's so much better than even I though it could
be."
Becky's teacher Linda True sees an amazing transition.
"She'll definitely follow though, she is a determined
young lady. It has been gratifying to see her evolve."
A
luncheon was hosted by Becky last Monday as a thank
you to her support team but also as the first in a
series of events that will help Becky absorb the fact
that her routine will soon change for good. Becky
cooked lasagna and presented a salad, bread, cookies,
and cake to go along with the set table and dishware
that she had readied for the event. Left, Linda
True, Becky's teacher worked on-on-one with Becky
for four years. They are enjoying the buffet lunch
Becky hosted in honor of her educational team. The
Monument: Prata photo
"This day is Becky-oriented," said Mrs.
Wilkinson. "For example, Becky did not want to
set the table with spoons because she thinks they
are a useless utensil."
Mrs. Wilkinson thanked the SAD 15 District staff for
their efforts in helping her daughter and welcomed
the friends and family that had gathered. Then the
group of friends and family ate lunch in the warm
room at Russell School that had been Becky's educational
home for four years, knowing that whatever the future
holds for their persistent and intelligent daughter,
she will have learned the skills necessary to manage
what life has to offer, just like any graduating senior.
------------------------------------------------
Did you know:
Becky
has faced her difficulties with courage and perseverance.
Because of this, she received the Temple Grandin Award
in April 2004, a national recognition for individuals
with autism who have made significant individual progress
despite the challenges they face. As an award recipient,
Becky received $100 and a certificate of recognition.
Becky
will be studying "New Media" at SMCC, learning
how to develop software games that are age appropriate
and non-violent.
Becky
works two days per week at Brighton Medical helping
with administrative tasks.
