What Happens After a Student Graduates from the Heartspring Therapeutic Residential & Day School?

For 11 and a half years, Heartspring was Tucker’s home away from home.

Tucker completed a single semester of kindergarten in a public school setting before moving to an ABA program in his home state of Indiana. But when insurance stopped covering his ABA therapy, his parents started to look for a residential placement to better fit his needs.

“The thought of moving our young, non-verbal son 700 miles away was overwhelming to say the least,” says Brian, Tucker’s dad. Tucker came to Heartspring in 2013 and graduated in February 2025.

“We knew this was where Tucker needed to be, and it was a relief to find a place that could help Tucker after feeling so lost.” – Brian, Tucker’s Dad

At Heartspring, Tucker had the chance to grow and thrive, running through the halls, playing outside with staff and peers, and eventually taking the lead in community outings.

“When he first arrived, he was a young boy struggling with frequent self-injurious behaviors and aggression,” says Whitney Rassel, Tucker’s former group home coordinator. “Over time, he developed the ability to self-regulate with minimal staff intervention, often requiring just a few prompts.”

Like many of the kids at Heartspring, Tucker is high-energy and always on the move. So, when he had to have surgery on both his legs and recover in casts, his family and staff worried about how the healing process would affect him. But he surprised all of us.

With a red cast on one leg and an orange cast on the other leg, Tucker took his recovery in stride. His home, classroom, and medical staff came together to make proactive plans, but he handled the setback incredibly well.

“There were so many Heartspring staff members who not only made us know that Tucker was safe, but we felt like a part of a family,” says Brian. “It’s impossible to name every individual who made an impact on Tucker’s life over his years at Heartspring, but know it did not go unnoticed, and we appreciate each and every staff member at Heartspring.”

Having been at Heartspring since he was 10 years old, it was hard to imagine Tucker anywhere else. However, there comes a time for every student to leave school and take on new challenges. With improved communication and leisure skills, Tucker could apply the lessons he learned at Heartspring to his adult placement back home.

“Tucker was prepared for his next step in life.” – Brian, Tucker’s Dad

At first, Tucker kept to himself in his room, but has now started hanging out with peers at his adult placement and including himself in leisure activities with other residents. In the short time he’s been away from Heartspring, his independence continues to grow as he gets more comfortable in his new environment.

The best part about Tucker’s new placement? He’s only an hour away from his parents, so he gets to make regular visits!

“Heartspring was a blessing for Tucker and our family, Brian says. “The trips over the years took a toll on us and racked up mileage on vehicles. But we would not change that decision — ever. Heartspring helped Tucker in so many ways.”

We are immensely proud of how Tucker adapted to this huge change in his life. For other families beginning the transition process, “Start looking for adult placement opportunities early, and don’t get discouraged,” Brian says. “Tucker was turned down by many group homes in Indiana due to his needs and behaviors, but we found a place that we were comfortable with, and Tucker is flourishing.”

After more than a decade together, we continue to feel the impact Tucker made at Heartspring. When we receive updates from our families, staff gather around a singular screen to share and celebrate our students’ post-graduation opportunities with huge grins (and maybe a few teary eyes).

“I’m so glad to hear he’s adjusting well to his new home and beginning to show them the same Tucker I know and love,” says Rassel. “I’m fortunate to still connect with him over video calls — though it feels a bit strange to be on the other side of the screen now — and it warms my heart to know he’s so happy being with his family.”

We’re so grateful that Heartspring could be a part of Tucker’s family’s journey and cherish the fact that they’re a permanent part of our own story.