Autism Home Consultation Helps Family

Nine-year-old Naomi Keesee loves people, animals, music and learning. But it wasn’t always that way.

Kindergarten was a tough year for the little girl, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age six.

She had always been nonverbal, but she had never acted out until she started school,” says Naomi’s mother, Jenny Keesee. “It got so bad that we couldn’t go anywhere with her — not even to run errands. And her behavior was interfering with her learning.”

Jenny sought help from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism. The center’s Outreach Department sent behavior consultant Jocelyn Eskenazi, BCaBA, to provide home consultation services for Naomi and to observe Naomi at school.

“Jocelyn discovered that Naomi’s behavior was being reinforced at school,” says Jenny. “Whenever Naomi would act out, teachers would inadvertently ‘reward’ her with a break on the trampoline or in the bean bag chair.”

“Before Jocelyn got involved, we were just trying to get Naomi to sit in her seat. Jocelyn was the first person to believe in Naomi. She knew there was a smart kid in there.”

Jocelyn began developing a home tutoring program for Naomi, incorporating applied behavior analysis (ABA), standard behavior therapy for those with autism. Once a week, Jocelyn would visit the Keesees’ home to work with Naomi, advise her private tutors and set new academic and behavioral goals. Within three months, Naomi’s good behavior returned and she began learning the alphabet, numbers and sight words.

“Before Jocelyn got involved, we were just trying to get Naomi to sit in her seat,” says Jenny. “Jocelyn was the first person to believe in Naomi. She knew there was a smart kid in there.”

Naomi transitioned back to school by the end of first grade, when her school began implementing ABA, as recommended by Jocelyn. Now in third grade, she’s learning to read and can communicate via a touchscreen app. She is “such an enjoyable child,” says Jenny, who now can take Naomi on errands and even vacations — something the family couldn’t do before.

Tutors continue to work with Naomi at home, supplementing her schoolwork. Jocelyn checks on their progress and adjusts goals once a month.

“Jocelyn has helped build a team for Naomi,” says Jenny. “She’s always available to support our therapists and tutors to keep Naomi advancing.”