The co-executive director of the Cause and Effect Foundation has spent the last two decades ensuring young children with special succeed when they begin attending grade school classes.
Leslie Carpenter recognized the importance of play in the family home as an introduction to structured education, especially for children who require additional time to develop their skills. She determined the earlier a child with special needs receives educational guidance, the more likely they are to flourish in the classroom.
The Cause and Effect Foundation was born in the heart and home of Carpenter 21 years ago when she was approached by a group of parents from the High River and Okotoks area. Alongside her friend Bonnie D’Amico, Carpenter created an early intervention service specifically for preschoolers with special needs.
In the months following its inception, the program assisted six families. Presently, the number of children receiving guidance through the Cause and Effect Foundation is nearly 200, including four-year-old Dylan who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was two and a half years old.
Child development facilitator Emma Weinhaupl visits Dylan’s home to help him develop the skills he'll need when he starts school.
Lauren Williams, Dylan’s mother, says there have been noticeable improvements in her son’s behavior.
“His speech has improved drastically,” explains Lauren. “His behaviour has also improved. He's playing nicely with his sister.”
The Cause and Effect Foundation’s co-executive director believes the program is most effective when the whole family is involved in the child’s learning.
“Sometimes we had a whole family there learning, all the siblings and everybody that are learning from the speech path,” said Carpenter. “Seeing what they can do with the child that's in the home that they can help this child move forward.”
Bonnie D’Amico, who shares the role of the Cause and Effect Foundation’s executive director, says Carpenter’s passion for educating children is a source of inspiration.
“Seeing that passion and that desire to support children , to support them in their natural environment , to support them in their communities and in age appropriate programs has just been something that has really resonated with me over the years,” explains D’Amico.
Carpenter plans to step down from her position with the program at the end of the year but she will continue to take pride in the accomplishments of the children who benefited.
“It's been very, very successful and beyond my wildest dreams.”
For all she does for preschool children with special need, Leslie Carpenter is this week’s Inspiring Albertan.
