Children’s Specialized Hospital has been wonderful. Dr. Downs has helped my family tremendously and we have such a great relationship
Jake Shapanus, from Robbinsville, New Jersey, is fourteen and loves to play video games and watch movies. When Jake was just two years old, his parents noticed Jake’s speech wasn’t developing as it should – he had trouble putting more than two words together. Jake also was easily distracted; he couldn’t even complete a simple task, such as brushing his teeth. Jake also had tremendous anxiety and meltdowns as well.
Jake’s parents, Laura and Bill, took their son to Children’s Specialized Hospital’s outpatient site in Hamilton to be professionally evaluated. There, Jake was diagnosed with Asperger’s, an autism spectrum disorder, by Dr. Elvira Downs, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. It is estimated that 1 in 500 people in the United States, have some form of Asperger’s.
Jake immediately started therapy at Children’s Specialized and his parents couldn’t be more grateful for the support and partnership “Children’s Specialized Hospital has been wonderful. Dr. Downs has helped my family tremendously and we have such a great relationship,” says Laura.
Having worked with Jake for eight years, Dr. Downs has seen Jake’s transformation firsthand. “More recently, I’ve been struck by Jake’s maturation as he transitions into high school,” explains Dr. Downs. “He has embraced his differences, working hard to address his personal and social skill challenges. He has wonderful supportive parents, who are actively involved with school, medical providers, and the community to assist their son. Jake is articulate and has developed a new confidence in advocating for himself and his needs. It has been a privilege to share in his care.”
Having a son living with autism, Laura feels confident that Jake will continue to grow. “There is so much hope for children with autism,” says Laura. “You just need to take it one day at a time and as long as they’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
Laura’s greatest hope for Jake is to enjoy life. “I want Jake to be happy and have a family of his own one day.” With the help of Children’s Specialized Hospital, Jake will be able to reach his fullest potential.