SUBMITTED BY THE Logan County BOARD OF DD
The Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities is sharing several success stories of Logan County residents throughout March in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, including Evie’s journey at The Discovery Center.
When her parents Myranda and Tyler discovered that they were expecting a little girl, their hearts swelled with joy and anticipation.
Her mother shared, “We quickly decided to name her Evelyn, meaning prayed for child, and along with our heart-felt prayers came the endless preparations to ensure every detail was perfect for Evie’s arrival.”
However, amidst their dreams, Myranda and Tyler hadn’t envisioned what their journey would look like if their child had a developmental disability.
It wasn’t until Evie was a little over a year old that they noticed she was struggling to keep up with other children her age, especially in terms of speech. They patiently waited, hoping she would catch up, but as the months went by, she continued to miss various developmental milestones.
Their concerns grew, and when they shared them with their pediatrician, she immediately recommended the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Early Intervention program and The Discovery Center.
Being newer to Logan County, the couple was unaware of the incredible resources available to them locally and thought they would have to seek care in Marysville or Columbus.
Through the Early Intervention program, Evie made some progress, but it became increasingly evident that she was showing signs of being on the autism spectrum. She was formally diagnosed just before her third birthday. The Discovery Center was a beacon of hope, working tirelessly with them to create an Individual Education Plan (IEP) tailored to Evie.
As they prepared for preschool, the dedication and support from The Discovery Center were unparalleled. When Evie started preschool in August 2024, her parents began to see remarkable improvements in her speech, interactions with others and her ability to follow directions.
Evie’s grandparents have also witnessed the tremendous strides she has made. Before The Discovery Center’s intervention, she would often become frustrated, knocking things over in distress. But now, she delights in doing crafts with her “Nana” Louanne, and has made significant progress in painting, coloring and focusing on activities.
She’s an incredibly happy little girl, who loves nothing more than cuddling under a blanket with her “Papa” Jeff, eating popcorn while they watch movies. Evie now joyfully reenacts her favorite movie scenes, a milestone they once thought was out of reach.
The Discovery Center has also given their family precious opportunities to be involved in Evie’s school activities. Their favorite moments include Shaving Cream Skating, Trick-or- Treat and Fire Safety Day. Evie’s grandparents cherish the ability to stay connected through Class Dojo, where they can see all the wonderful activities happening at school.
The one piece of advice Myranda and Tyler would give to parents and caregivers would be to trust your intuition if you notice your child being behind their peers. The staff at The Discovery Center and Early Intervention are some of the kindest and welcoming people and they are thankful to have them on their team, the family said.