MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA- JaMeseia Hardie has experience working with kids who have autism, so when her son Kason started to display some signs, she wanted to get him evaluated. She began seeking help, and the very first clinic she was referred to was called As You Are. When JaMeseia realized it was a virtual clinic for autism diagnostic evaluations and not in-person, she was ecstatic. Not to mention, she was able to get an appointment in just one week.
She said, “I saw it was going to be virtual, and I loved that because he acts differently in public than he does at home. I thought, if they can see him in his natural environment, that would be best. And everything fell into place. I had no issues at all.”
On the third appointment with their dedicated As You Are physician, 2-year-old Kason was officially diagnosed with autism. While the mom knew in her gut what the diagnosis was going to be, hearing those words was a moment she’ll never forget.
“I’ve been saying for a year that I felt like he had autism. But when I heard the diagnosis, I cried. Then I looked at my son and told him, ‘We have a journey ahead of us, but we’re going to conquer it,’” she said.
A member of the care coordination team at As You Are has been helping with some of the first steps of their journey. Referred to as a Care Sidekick, they’ve been working to find resources in JaMeseia’s area so her son can begin therapy.
Do you have questions about your child’s development? The team at As You Are provides diagnostic evaluations for kids 16 months to 10 years old via telehealth appointments along with useful resources, including an online autism screening. Learn more at asyouare.com.
