7 years ago, our brother Gavriel was diagnosed with autism. That was around the time he started showing signs of autistic behavior. As children ourselves, we didn't understand this behavior or the meaning of the term ‘autism’ fully, but this didn't make us love him less, if anything it gave us the opportunity to learn through him what being autistic means and how to work with it, not against it. Even though we learned how to deal with his challenging behavior, it could still be very difficult at times. This all changed once he started learning at Dekalim. He learned how to communicate his needs and wants with us, he was able to calm his aggression and his overall behavior improved greatly thanks to the wonderful, caring staff at Dekalim school. Thanks to the school, we have gotten the opportunity to learn more about autism and the acceptance of others. We will never be able to thank the school and staff enough for changing ours and Gavriel’s life for the better.
Shoham and Kammie Kisling, loving sisters of Gavriel Kisling
When my son Gavriel was two and a half years old he was diagnosed with Autism. Instead of making me sad or upset this prognosis relieved me - now I had an explanation for his behavior and his developmental regression. I felt that now that there was a name for what he had it could be treated and he could be helped. But unfortunately for the next three and a half years it wasn’t and neither was he. His developmental lag became larger and his behavior became much worse - he was wild and uncontrollable. Then at age six he was accepted into Dekalim School which was the best thing that had happened to him in his young life! The amazing teachers and wonderful support staff at Dekalim have wrought miracles with Gavriel! When he started at Dekalim he would enter a room and pass through it like a whirlwind - wreaking havoc breaking and destroying everything in his wake! He could not sit in a chair for a full minute, would not respond when spoken to, and would not follow even the simplest directions. Now he spends the entire day doing what his class does, he sits in morning group, takes part in every activity, follows directions to a tee, responds using signs and his communication board, and is sensitive to his surroundings. All of this is true of his behavior at home as well - life is so much easier with him now and we can enjoy all the good parts of him without having to suffer the the bad.
For this wonderful transformation in my son I thank all the people that teach him, treat him, help him and support him at his wonderful school Dekalim.I thank g-d he will be there until he is 21 because I know he will just get better the longer he is at Dekalim!
Melena Kisling ,happy and grateful parent