Garrison Student Honored

When the D’Abruzzo family, of Garrison, visited Disney World recently, they were happy to let their little boy, Patrick, call the shots. Patrick let his family know which rides he wanted to go on, which characters he wanted to see and which parts of the park he wanted to visit – all using his newly acquired communications skills.

Patrick was chosen as a Student of Distinction for the extraordinary progress he has made since arriving at the Pines Bridge School at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES in September. He was recognized for the honor at the most recent Garrison Board of Education meeting.

When Patrick first arrived at Pines Bridge, he was a nonverbal little boy who communicated almost all of his needs and wants through crying. Those working with Patrick tried their best to understand his wishes, but sometimes a walk in the hallway would end with Patrick dropping to the floor and crying loudly. This was primarily because he did not have a way to communicate that he wanted to take another route down a different hallway. He would cry even more loudly if he was told that he couldn’t take his desired route.

Since then, however, Patrick has made some major breakthroughs in communication. He now uses pictures to make some requests, such as asking for a drink or something to eat, and he is also beginning to use modified sign language to indicate when he is finished with an activity or to ask for help when he needs assistance. Since he can more effectively communicate his desires, he now quiets more easily and is more accepting if told that his request cannot be met.

At the Garrison School Board meeting on March 5, Patrick’s mom, dad, and brother were there to celebrate his success, along with his grandparents.  BOCES staff on hand included Director of Special Education Adam Van Der Stuyf, Pines Bridge Principal Robert Kelderhouse, Assistant Superintendent Lynn Allen; and representing the BOCES board, David Lilburne, husband of Garrison’s Cathy Lilburne, who serves as Vice President.

Bob Kelderhouse said of Patrick: “It’s always a challenge when a young child enters a program for the first time, and it’s compounded when a child has special needs…It took him a while to adjust, but he had a whole team behind him…Patrick, buddy, we’re all very proud of you.”

Patrick’s father added, “It’s not all that easy to raise a special needs child…just his being able to point to stuff and tell us what he wants, we can’t thank everyone enough.”

With a big smile on his face, Patrick now confidently shakes his arm to the left, right, or out in front of him to request a particular route in the school hallway. And that’s got everyone around him smiling as well.