Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Hockey Hall of Famer and former Detroit Red Wings star helps open new center for children with autism
Jacelyn Krol spends a lot of her time driving her 5-year-old son, Carter, to appointments each day and advocating for his care. Carter is on the autism spectrum. She waited two and half years to hear her son say his first word: cake.
“When we started getting treatment, Carter rarely made eye contact. He couldn’t sit, respond to his name or follow directions,” said Krol who takes her son to Beaumont Children’s Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center.
Now, a $1 million gift to Beaumont Children’s by the Ted Lindsay Foundation is bringing three key services for children and families under one roof.
Parents of children with special needs often make multiple appointments with different doctors, therapists and development experts.
The 12,700-square-foot Beaumont Children’s Center - Southfield, located at 30503 Greenfield Road, houses the Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center, pediatric speech-language pathology and the Center for Human Development or CHD. The CHD staff evaluate and treat children who are showing evidence of, or who are at risk of, learning or developmental disorders.
“I am looking forward to seeing how much this new center will help children like Carter. I’m so impressed by the new space and I know the convenience of having all three programs together will make parents’ lives easier and children’s therapy more impactful,” said Ted Lindsay, a Hockey Hall of Famer and former Red Wings star.
Lindsay’s friend, John Czarnecki, inspired the hockey legend to support autism research. Doctors diagnosed Czarnecki’s son, Dominic, with autism.
The new building features more space and treatment rooms for all three Beaumont Children’s services, and parent observation rooms with video monitors. Additional child-size bathrooms near treatment rooms enhance toilet-training programs.
“Not only is there an improved physical flow and better use of space, but we can also observe different services conveniently. Best of all, we will be getting to know one another much better and be able to collaborate on brainstorming new programs,” Lori Warner, Ph.D., director of the HOPE Center and Center for Human Development, said.
Dr. Warner’s work impressed Lindsay when he first met her years ago. “When I saw how much she was able to change children’s lives, I knew we had to help her. These kids deserve the best facility we can create for them,” Lindsay said.
Margaret Cooney Casey, Beaumont Health chief development officer and president of the Beaumont Foundation, added, “Mr. Lindsay’s passion for helping children with autism spectrum disorders inspires all of us. We are so fortunate to partner with the Ted Lindsay Foundation on this wonderful project that will benefit children and families in our community.”
Krol is now spending less time in her car and more time with her son and team of therapists at the new center. In the past two-and-a-half years, Carter has learned how to point, wear shoes and even use several words. She’s eager to see how much progress Carter will make now that his therapy will be more cohesive in the new center.
“It’s just more minds who are able to help us come up with plans to help our children,” Krol said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 68 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The Michigan Department of Education reports 18,746 students diagnosed with ASD were enrolled in Michigan schools this year and approximately 50,000 individuals living in Michigan have ASD.
To make an appointment at the new center, call 248-691-4744
THE TED LINDSAY FOUNDATION
The Ted Lindsay Foundation was established in 2001 by Ted Lindsay and John Czarnecki, the father of a 2-year-old boy with autism. The foundation raises funds through an annual celebrity golf outing in September supported by the Detroit Red Wings and local celebrities, an annual wine tasting event in March, other events and through sales of autographed sports memorabilia. Since its inception, the Ted Lindsay Foundation has raised more than $3.5 million for research into the cause and cure of autism. The Ted Lindsay Foundation is supported by key sponsors: Kroger, Capitas Financial, Wells Fargo, Buffalo Wild Wings, Better Made Foods and Carrier & Gable. The foundation's mission is to elevate public awareness in the community regarding the need for increased funding and support for children with autism. The foundation works to raise and dispense funds to new and existing research projects that focus on the cause and treatment of autism. It also provides funding for training programs, educational programs and social services for children with autism and their families.
BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S TED LINDSAY FOUNDATION HOPE CENTER
The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center uses a family-focused approach, stressing partnerships between Beaumont Children's behavioral intervention specialists and parents. The center offers behavioral intervention programs for children and families, which incorporate hands-on parent education. The center also offers a free workshop for families who want more information about using behavioral interventions for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center is part of Beaumont Children’s, which is a member of the Children’s Hospital Association and is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals affiliate in Southeast Michigan.