Meet Cade Davis: Thriving at Glenwood’s Allan Cott School for Autism
At Allan Cott School for Autism, overseeing the snack cart every Friday is the most sought-after assignment. And 17-year-old Cade Davis beams with pride each time he rolls the mobile food stand around, handing out crackers and cookies to his friends.
“At Glenwood, he’s been chosen for things, and he gets to participate,” said Kimberly Davis, Cade’s mom. “It’s done so much for his self-esteem. It’s been the best thing for him.”
The best thing for Cade, came after a challenging year as a brand-new ninth grader at a local high school. The son of a coach and elementary school teacher, Cade was accustomed to the typical public-school environment. But as puberty came, so did the challenges. The stress from it all led to Cade wearing protective gear at times to keep him from injuring himself, along with him bringing his frustrations back home.
“If he had a horrible day at school, we’d have a horrible day at night. He’d get in my car and just let out a scream,” said Davis.
That’s when Cade’s parents searched for answers and discovered Glenwood and the Allan Cott School, the state’s first school to provide educational and therapeutic services for children with autism. The school serves day students like Cade, offering individualized instruction designed to build on each child’s strengths in the least restrictive environment.
“Glenwood is equipped for our needs — one thing we know is they are not scared of any behavior because they have seen it all,” Kimberly said.
“When Cade joined our Glenwood family, I saw a child who desperately wanted to be understood,” Emily Longino, a senior behavior analyst who has been working with Cade, said. “He needed a therapeutic and sensory-friendly space to grow. At first, he needed his own room with low lighting, calming music and intensive staffing. He was unable to join the rest of his classmates. Now, he eats lunch in the cafeteria with his friends, participates in cooking classes, goes hiking in large groups, explores the outdoors on paddle boats, eats in busy restaurants, goes to new places in the community, and self-regulates without hurting himself.”
The Davis family says Cade is also now going to his younger brother’s sports games – which is something he couldn’t do before. They are proud of Cade’s progress.
“He’s at peace and he feels safe,” said Davis. “To be raising a child with autism, it’s hard but I am thankful there is a place like Glenwood. I don’t know what we would do without it.”
About Allan Cott School for Autism: Established in 1974 as Alabama’s first school to provide educational and therapeutic services for children with autism, Allan Cott School is Glenwood’s founding program. Today, the school serves both residential and day students ages 6-21, offering specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment, tailored to each child’s strengths. Students enjoy extensive recreational amenities and creative activities, giving them opportunities to explore art, music and movement.