Hi! We are the Kirstine/Mitchell family. Kayla and Joe (mom and dad), Colt 16, Kali 13, Sawyer 12 and Cash 4. After being sent to CHOA from the local hospital he was diagnosed with failure to thrive, a weak suck, sleep apnea and laryngomalacia that required surgery at just 7 weeks old. We noticed around 8 months he was slow to meet milestones and noticed he did not respond to his name. By 2 years old he was pretty behind on his milestones which lead to a referral to rule out autism. 
Cash was diagnosed at 2.5 years with autism and global developmental delay. He does require ABA therapy 4-5 days weekly. Cash is extremely sweet and smart but at times can have difficult behaviors that are hard for us to manage. It’s hard as parents with multiple kids to manage all the older ones’ activities with as much assistance as Cash needs at times. Everyday is a balance for us as we try to not let our daily lives focus on Cash’s disabilities and give our older kids normalcy to do things they enjoy.
Cash would benefit from fencing in our backyard as he loves outside but poses a risk of eloping as he isn’t enclosed. If we take him outside, he immediately starts running away.
Gift: Backyard fencing
Location: Carroll County
Given: November 2024