(801) 334-8683
info@wiaa.org
Description
The England Grant of $2500 may be available for qualifying families.
Individualized grant funding for qualifying families may be available through our President’s Grant. Contact us for more details!
Handsome Hess is new to our advocacy page. He was born June of 2015 and is diagnosed with child Autism with delay in speech and psychomotor development. Hess lives with a foster family. Our Bulgarian staff visited him September of 2023. The information from that meeting states the following:
Hess has been living with the current foster parent since he was 7 months old. He is quite attached to the mother and looks for her. She is his support. He has a hard time with change. The foster parent has three grandchildren close to Hess’ age, one of whom is also diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The children know each other, but it is difficult to say that they communicate or play with each other.
When I first met with Hess who was with his foster mother, he seemed extremely focused on her phone. He could skillfully and constantly change the tunes of various nursery rhymes. He was interested in the children’s songs but did not listen to them all the way through. The whole time, the boy was “buzzing” (a sound that is characteristic of him and that he makes quite often and can be heard in the video itself). He often “drools”, something also quite characteristic of him. When he is reminded by an acquaintance-an adult to use a tissue, to wipe himself – he knows the action and does it – but does not think of it himself. Hess continued playing with the phone and I could not get his attention or interest by calling his name by offering him new toys or treats. Finally, the foster mother took the phone away and hid it. Hess searched several places and then went to the foster mother wanting the phone and when she told him the battery was dead, he protested loudly, and it took quite a while to calm him down.
Once the phone was gone, Hess was still not interested in the new toys or treats except for the soap bubbles. He played with the bubbles with the help of an adult inside and outside. He tried to ‘copy’ to some degree, blowing the bubbles, as well as outside he tried to wave the wand to make bubbles like the foster mother had done. He showed no interest in my bag to see what was inside. He was not interested in my booklet with stickers. When encouraged by the adults, Hess can give a high-five.
Hess sleeps in one bedroom with his foster mother. He loves all food. The foster parent avoids candy as she is not sure if Hess is chewing it well enough. He drinks alone from a cup, although with help, but cannot sip from a straw. He loves lollipops but can’t lick. He does not in any way show that he is hungry or thirsty although occasionally he will bring the foster mother a cup for a drink.
Hess often changes his moods. Sometimes he can cry for no reason and then others laugh. He does not execute commands. He understands certain things. He doesn’t say anything or imitate sounds. He plays with pets but does not imitate their sounds. He likes doing things that make noise, for example throwing a bottle to hear it hit the floor and then doing it again.
Hess can remove and put on his diaper somewhat by himself. He can also put on pants and socks but can’t put on or off outerwear. He has learned left and right feet and can put his feet into the correct shoe and almost get the shoe on by himself. He tolerates bathing well.
He is a student at a special education support center but can only handle being in class for about two hours. He doesn’t play with traditional toys like cars, trucks, etc. He likes balls and balloons. Very often, when something is new, he brings it to his nose to smell it. Now and then unconsciously he makes eye contact, but generally avoids eye contact. He often keeps one finger pressed lightly on his neck or throat.
He is not aggressive, although he was claimed to be such in the kindergarten because in his quest to attract attention, he tends to suddenly grab another child’s hand, clothes. If anything, Hess is usually more timid than afraid.
Video, September 2023:
For more information, please contact: Kathy@wiaa.org. You will be asked to complete a parent eligibility form before any file information can be released.
Please be aware that children on our waiting list may be under review by multiple families. Additionally, a child’s availability status may change on short notice. Please contact Kathy@wiaa.org for the most up-to-date status of a child.
Disclaimer:
WIA is not responsible for the medical information summarized here. Medical information sent by other countries may be inaccurate or incomplete. Prospective Adoptive Parents reserve the right to have medical information evaluated by a medical professional in the United States.
