It was not until Kiel was two and a half years old that Kimberly Suarez, senior analyst – BI Developer at CriticalRiver, noticed that her son wasn’t speaking like the other kids his age. It seemed Kiel understood his family members very well and was a loud baby, but he used only a few simple gestures to communicate. It was then that his doctor recommended a consultation with a developmental pediatrician. The developmental pediatrician diagnosed Kiel with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) with subtle signs of autism which she said was common for babies born during the COVID lockdown. Since then, Kiel has been into occupational and speech therapy.
Initially, the therapy sessions were like a rollercoaster ride of emotions for Kimberly. Kiel’s frustration was palpable when he couldn’t convey his needs or feelings, leading to outbursts and moments of intense distress. “It was heartbreaking not being able to ease his struggles immediately,” says Kimberly.
However, as compassionate therapists worked tirelessly to unlock Kiel’s ability to communicate, the family started celebrating small victories.
Navigating the complexities of parenting a child with special needs requires a steep learning curve. “We found ourselves advocating fiercely for Kiel’s needs, whether it was in therapy sessions, with educators, or within our own extended family circle. We learned to cherish progress in all its forms, celebrating moments that may seem small to others but were monumental for us. Through it all, our bond with Kiel deepened,” says Kimberly.
Kimberly found support of fellow parents with similar challenges through online forums and local support groups. She also received support from CriticalRiver as she is now able to spend more time with Kiel for his therapy sessions. Kimberly has added another session of speech therapy for Kiel and enrolled him into playgroup sessions which really helped a lot.
“I will always be grateful to CriticalRiver for giving me an opportunity to do what I love while caring for the ones I love,” says Kimberly.
As Kiel continues to grow, his progress has become a testament to his determination and the unwavering support of everyone involved in his care. Though the road ahead remains uncertain, Kimberly’s journey with Kiel has taught her profound lessons in patience, empathy, and unconditional love that will shape her as a parent forever.
