Chloe loves treasure hunting. At any given moment, you can spot her walking around with her eyes on the ground, seeking items to add to her collection: pennies, screws, bottle caps, and, of course, cool rocks. She used to prefer solo quests. Now, three years into receiving services at the Glenwood Behavioral Therapy Center, she’s also beginning to share those adventures with a buddy.
It wasn’t always like this. Chloe, now 10 years old, started showing signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in pre-k. She struggled with managing big feelings, lacked tools to navigate overstimulation and experienced anxiety about new experiences.
When Chloe’s pre-k teachers first raised concerns, her mom, Megan, began searching for support. But after exploring other providers, she struggled to find a team she felt comfortable trusting with Chloe’s care.
Then Chloe’s pediatrician recommended Glenwood.
Megan was initially told the wait for an appointment could be as long as six months. She chose to trust the process and have faith that the right support would come at the right time.
In Chloe’s case, the wait was much shorter. She was able to begin services at the Behavioral Therapy Center within three weeks.
More than three years later, Megan says that trust has been rewarded in ways that reach far beyond the therapy room. Through occupational therapy, Chloe has been building the skills to navigate everyday challenges, try new experiences and connect with the people around her.
“Chloe has gained many ‘tools under her tool belt’!” Megan said.
When Chloe begins to feel overwhelmed, she is learning to recognize it and identify what she needs.
“When she gets to the point she wants to hit or scream or even be silent and not speak, she realizes, ‘Oh, that’s anger. I’m mad right now.’ And that’s a huge step for Chloe!” Megan said.
Chloe has also developed strategies to help regulate her emotions outside of therapy. At home, she has created a safe space in her closet where she can take a break when she needs time to herself. She also knows when to reach for her headphones in overstimulating environments.
Those skills have made a noticeable difference in the family’s daily routines. Megan, who homeschools Chloe, says they can now sit down to do schoolwork with fewer outbursts. Chloe is also making progress in social settings.
“She goes to co-op for homeschool and sits in class with fourth and fifth graders and interacts with them and even calls a few her friends,” Megan said.
Helping Chloe build those skills is part of her work with BTC occupational therapist Jane Krentel. Their sessions focus on skills Chloe uses in everyday life, including handwriting, coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and managing sensory experiences that can sometimes feel overwhelming. They also work on emotional regulation to help Chloe engage more comfortably in the activities that matter to her.
“Chloe has made great strides during her time with me at Glenwood,” Jane said.
Jane uses a reward system to keep her motivated through difficult tasks, balancing skill-building with activities Chloe enjoys, including visits to the sensory room.
For Megan, that persistence reflects the individualized care Chloe receives at Glenwood. The team has also helped her better understand her daughter and recognize that her progress doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Chloe has a twin sister, Ashley, who is more extroverted and eager to try new things. Megan said she sometimes worried when she saw Ashley readily approaching other children while Chloe was more comfortable keeping to herself.
“Her therapists have shown me that Chloe is her own person, and we would all work together to help Chloe,” Megan said. “Therapy might start at Glenwood, but it definitely continues at home.”
Jane emphasizes that family involvement is an important part of a child’s progress. “Chloe’s mom is very involved in her care and even joins Chloe in the occupational therapy room for each session,” she shared. “She is able to see what we are working on and continue reinforcing those skills at home.”
The team has given Megan tools of her own to navigate moments when Chloe becomes overwhelmed, helping her better understand what her daughter needs and how to support her through difficult emotions. Along the way, Megan has found that Glenwood’s support extends to her as a parent, too.
“When Chloe gets done with the sessions, her therapist will always look at me and say, ‘But how’s mom doing?’” Megan said. “It just warms my heart to see them loving on my child but also caring for me!”
For Megan, the most meaningful milestones are often the simplest: seeing Chloe write something a new friend can understand, enjoying an outing without fear of an overwhelming moment, and hearing her daughter talk about her friendships.
“The biggest thing that warms my heart is Chloe being able to tell me she has friends!” Megan said.
For families navigating similar challenges, Megan encourages them to explore the support available to their children. Glenwood’s Behavioral Therapy Center is welcoming new clients and helps children build skills based on their individual needs. Families do not need an autism diagnosis to reach out and learn whether the Center’s services may be a good fit for their child.
Looking back, Megan is grateful her family found a team that saw Chloe’s potential while helping them navigate the challenges together.
Chloe is still the curious girl who loves discovering things others might overlook. She still enjoys exploring the world in her own way, but now she’s also finding new ways to connect with the people around her. For Megan, watching Chloe grow is a reminder that progress doesn’t mean changing who a child is. It’s about helping children build skills, discover what works for them and participate in the world in ways that feel right for them, with their families and care teams alongside them.
