Meet Jordan! Jordan entered our regional center at 3 years of age with a diagnosis of autism. Today, he is a flourishing, 18-year-old student with a positive outlook on life. Although Jordan uses few words to communicate, he maintains a busy social life participating in numerous recreational activities.
Since the age of 3, Jordan has been receiving Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, which has played a crucial role in improving his communication skills. As a toddler, he struggled with coping skills and had difficulty managing his emotions, often becoming upset by loud noises or crowded environments. Through ABA, Jordan has learned several strategies to help him navigate these challenges. For example, when he becomes overstimulated, he can take a deep breath, step away for a break, or remove himself from the situation entirely. Once he feels ready, he can return to his social activity and rejoin the group. ABA has also helped Jordan recognize social cues, such as understanding tone and facial expressions. For instance, if he notices someone seems upset, he may ask, “What is wrong with your face?” while trying to understand the emotion behind it. This skill can be challenging for individuals on the autism spectrum, but Jordan has made significant progress.
Although Jordan uses earphones and earplugs to manage the overwhelming noise around him, it’s no surprise that his focus can still be easily diverted, especially when interacting with girls. During their family vacation, ‘Autism of the Seas,’ Jordan earned the playful nickname of the “Ladies Man,” as his charm and social interactions became a highlight of the trip. Autism of the Seas is an international organization that offers vacation services to adults and families of children with special needs.
As a graduate with his Certificate of Completion from Vacaville High School, Jordan currently attends Solano County Office of Education’s (SCOE) Adult Transition Program. When not in school, Jordan participates in Social Recreational Opportunities for Disabled Adults (SODA) in Solano County. These opportunities afford him the ability to meet other peers with developmental disabilities and enjoy activities such as playing bingo, bowling, and learning to cook. Also, Jordan participates with Team Vacaville, a program that pairs individuals with disabilities along with a “buddy” to support them as they engage in fun activities like singing karaoke. It took his parents by surprise when he eagerly chose to have his turn to sing, especially when his singing encouraged others to follow him.
Additionally, Jordan shares his love for animals and gives back to his community by reading to the animals at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). He finds that the animals, such as the kittens, respond well to him. The connections he forms with the animals brings a smile to his community service!
Jordan is a man of few words, and one of his favorite sayings is, “I got this.” Whenever he’s faced with uncertainty, he reminds himself of these words and stays optimistic. He approaches every situation with determination, always giving his all and doing his best. Keep those positive vibes flowing, Jordan — the best is yet to come!
