It Takes a Village: Layla's Journey with Early Intervention

Layla has come an incredibly long way since beginning her Early Intervention (EI) journey. She started services in her first month of life at just 5 lbs 3 oz and dependent on a feeding tube. Within those first months of working with EI's Occupational Therapist, Nicole Wilson, Layla’s family learned that she had a lip, cheek, and tongue tie. Once those ties were released, they hoped feeding would become easier, but Layla still struggled to eat more than an ounce at a time. In December 2023, Layla received her G-tube at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, allowing her to get the nutrition she needed.

As Layla approached age one, however, she remained unable to take in enough calories on her own. It was at this time Layla’s family, with the help of their support team, reached out to Cleveland Clinic. There, she met with a wide range of specialists, including GI, Nutrition, Nephrology, Urology, Neurology, and Genetics. At a year and eight months, an upper chest X-ray revealed Layla had a hernia on her diaphragm. She underwent surgery to remove it in April.

That surgery changed everything. Since then, Layla has been eating independently and has not required additional calories through her G-tube. Her progress has been remarkable. She has gone from rolling over at six months, walking by 14 months, finishing a full, six-ounce bottle at 14 months, graduating physical and food therapy, and now beginning to talk independently, all in a span of just two years. Her progress is a testament to her strength, her family’s dedication, and the support of her care team. Layla's mom, Tara, shared this: "Layla has been a super strong girl through everything she has gone through. Layla has spent many hours in the car and going to endless appointments, but she never fails to have a smile on her face."

Layla’s family first learned about Early Intervention through Help Me Grow, and later through Nationwide Children’s and their pediatrician. Nicole played a crucial role in Layla's development. She met with Layla and her parents bi-weekly, staying closely updated on Layla’s medical journey. Each visit included helping the family understand medical reports, advising on questions to ask specialists, recommending tests or tools Layla might benefit from, assessing Layla’s developmental skills, and coaching Layla’s parents on “homework” to practice daily.

Nicole’s goal was to empower Layla’s parents to become her everyday therapists. Their commitment helped Layla make the significant gains she has made over the last two years. Tara stated, "In the beginning it was very difficult with having another little one at home. I have worked with Layla with textures in food to now working with her speech and other therapies. She loves her picture books and helping me read the books, as well as make believe toys."

When asked if Layla's family would recommend Early Intervention to others, they said, "110%! Nicole has helped our sweet baby girl in many ways! Not only has she helped Layla but also us, Brad and myself, on ways to help Layla to her full potential!" Because of EI, her parents and countless medical support staff, Layla continues to grow and reach her milestones, with her next goals being to remove her G-tube and continue to grow in her play and speech skills. Layla is proof that early support and the right interventions can transform a child's future. This is just the beginning of everything she will accomplish.