MEET EL BOAN

​The first few years of a child’s life - especially from birth to age three - are full of big changes and important milestones. That’s where Early Intervention (EI) services through the County Board of Developmental Disabilities come in, offering support to help kids grow and thrive. While therapists and professionals play an important role, it’s really the love and dedication of parents that make the biggest difference. For April and Alan Boan, their commitment to their child’s development has led to amazing progress and their journey has inspired everyone on the EI team.

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The couple welcomed their son, Maverick, into the world at 34 weeks, a premature birth that saw him placed in the NICU for a week. At four months old, Maverick was diagnosed with infantile nystagmus, a condition that impacts a child’s vision.  April and Alan closely monitored Maverick’s development and when they noticed possible delays, like Maverick not bringing his hands together to clap, they discussed their concerns with their pediatrician, Dr. Morris, who referred the family to EI for a developmental evaluation.

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EI implements an evidence-based approach that recognizes the child’s home as the best learning environment and parents as the best teachers. The EI referral brought specialized instruction, a vision specialist, and a speech therapist into Maverick’s home. A full developmental evaluation indicated a delay in cognitive and expressive communication.

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April expressed how difficult it can be as a first-time parent to navigate so much information and how hard it can be to not compare every little thing Maverick was doing to other children.  She understood that because he was born early there would be a gap but when he wasn’t meeting milestones, it still brought panic and worry.  She recognized that he wasn’t talking or always understanding simple commands.

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According to the County Board’s speech and language pathologist Meghan Johns, it is evident that April and Alan are providing consistent follow-through with Maverick.

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“They are the perfect EI family to work with,” Meghan said. “April jumped right in and immediately tried strategies we shared.”

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 They understood that the work can’t just happen during the EI sessions but that it needed to be part of their everyday routines. This dedication has paid off as a quiet Maverick begins to open up and engage with those around him. He has many new words and is now putting them together.

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Alan said he appreciates having access to Jan, the team’s vision specialist, both in their home and via video chat.

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“She can see so much more about the natural way Maverick is at home versus how he may be when we go to Morgantown to see his doctor,” Alan said.

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As April reflected on their journey, she noted the impact social media had on the couple.

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“In today’s world you are surrounded by social media and so much information, it can feel like too much information, but to know early intervention is available to help, eases your mind,” April said. “They identified what he was excelling at and where he needed help.”

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Parents are often the first to notice when something feels a little off and are the first and strongest advocate for their child. Their everyday insights help shape the right kind of professional interventions, and their feedback ensures that services are responsible and relevant.

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Research consistently shows that when parents are actively engaged, children experience better outcomes. As Maverick grows, his parents continue to implement the EI strategies during playtime, mealtime, and bedtime.

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While many parents in EI deserve admiration, there are some who go the extra mile at every visit and implement strategies consistently. April and Alan are two of those parents – always present, always engaged, and wholeheartedly committed to their child’s progress. They are the best example of what makes Early Intervention successful, and Maverick’s EI team is incredibly grateful to work alongside them.

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Early Intervention is a statewide system of support for families of children with developmental delays and disabilities aged birth to three, and is funded by the  County Board of Developmental Disabilities. If you or someone you know has a child who may need Early Intervention, referrals can be made at www.ohioearlyintervention.org.

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