Success Stories
Creativity + Consistency = Endless Possibilities
In our residential school for autism, Camron, a non-verbal student with autism, unlocked his art ability and a new mode of expression.
Mar 26 2025
Share this
Although many of our students don’t communicate verbally, art helps them regulate their nervous systems, express their emotions, build self-esteem, and interact with others. For one student, Camron, art not only gave him a creative outlet for expression but helped him find a new joy altogether.
Julie Noller, Heartspring’s Special Projects Coordinator, says, “Camron, when he’s painting, it’s an incredible process to watch. He proceeds so confidently.”
These skills don’t only translate to a canvas, but to Camron’s development overall.
Darrell Daugherty, Heartspring Community Engagement Director
Heartspring provides a highly structured environment for children who need a consistent routine to develop strategies to regulate their behavior. The replicable system means students can adapt to change, which sets them up for success outside of Heartspring.
“We see the potential for every child who comes to Heartspring,” Cora Gouldner, a Certified Autism Specialist within our Therapeutic School, says. “That child’s fully capable of reaching a possibility with determination and tenacity because consistency works. Camron’s a product of that.”
Each of our students has a dedicated team of therapists, behavior analysts, educators, and staff to construct their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and behavior intervention plan to create goals for the students to work on throughout the year. Our interdisciplinary approach helps children with every step of their educational journey because we’re right beside them, cheering them on.
Share this