“Life would be complete chaos without CSH,” said Monica. “My brother has made so much progress through coming here over the years, now my sons, and even my niece is receiving services. CSH is a part of our family.”
Monica Enriquez has vivid memories of the frequent trips to Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) during her childhood to accompany her brother, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When her oldest son, Alexander, began showing similar signs of ASD at the age of three, she knew that CSH was the right place for him to receive a diagnosis before starting pre-K. It was during his neurology appointment at CSH’s Union location that Monica became aware of the Primary Care Services offered there.
“I was thrilled to learn about these services at CSH,” said Monica. “Most primary care offices are not equipped to handle the complex needs of children with autism.”
Monica promptly scheduled an appointment to transfer him from his current pediatrician to CSH, and he has been under the care of Dr. Stalter since then. At the time, Monica was pregnant with her second son, Ezekial, and was relieved to know she could also bring him to CSH for primary care when he was born.
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Before coming to CSH, Alexander was a patient at four different primary care doctors. CSH was Monica’s last hope for her son. Now both of her sons are patients at CSH, and even after the family made a big move to a rural area in New Jersey, CSH remains the best and most convenient option for them.
The Enriquez family lives almost an hour from the CSH outpatient center in Union, NJ, where both boys receive services. "I don’t mind making the drive because I have peace of mind at CSH," said Monica. "All the staff are so patient, especially in the beginning when my son was afraid of coming to the doctor but couldn't communicate his feelings. The doctors and nurses take the time to make him feel comfortable, even when getting shots."
A trip to the doctor’s office can be a significant challenge for kids with ASD. By offering special needs primary care services, CSH is making these visits easier for children and their families. CSH is the largest regional provider of Autism services, treating nearly 10,000 children each year. The healthcare team employs a family-centered approach and personalized care to make each child’s visit comfortable.
Monica recalls many instances where nurses and doctors had given up on her children, specifically her oldest son, because of his specific needs due to ASD. "At Children’s, they work daily with special needs children, so I don’t feel so anxious," said Monica. "He loves Dr. Stalter, and I notice that he is so much calmer at Children’s than he was at other primary care facilities.”
Alexander is currently six years old and has been receiving ASD and primary care services at CSH for three years now. He enjoys watching Pixar's Cars, spending time with animals on his grandparents' farm, and especially loves Ms. Rachel. Alexander is a fun-loving child with an infectious laugh. He is also a proud member of the special needs basketball team in his county. Working with the Neurologist at CSH on behaviors like staying still in appropriate situations and managing his anger has made a huge difference for Alexander’s day-to-day life.
Ezekiel is 20 months old and recently received an ASD diagnosis at CSH like his older brother. He has just started early intervention services for speech and occupational therapy. His favorite things to do are playing outside and jumping on the trampoline.
“Life would be complete chaos without CSH,” said Monica. “My brother has made so much progress through coming here over the years, now my sons, and even my niece is receiving services. CSH is a part of our family.”
Click here to learn more about Special Needs Primary Care at Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Programs like Special Needs Primary Care at CSH are made possible by our generous donors. If you’d like to make an impact for kids and families in your community make a donation today.
Learn more about our Special Needs Primary Care at Children's Specialized Hospital.
Programs like Special Needs Primary Care at CSH are made possible by our generous donors. If you'd like to make an impact for kids and families in your community make a donation today.