TITLE: Diane - Alex's experience with Intervention

DIANE:
Having an intervener has helped my son Alex tremendously.
She has bridged the gap in Alex's world
and his environment; in school, at home, in the community.
She's been fabulous.
When I first got the intervener, Alex --
I couldn't even communicate with him, now my child knows 11 words
that he can speak in sign language, he can tell me
when he's hungry, he can tell me when he's thirsty.
He can tell me when he likes something and without that,
I don't -- I really don't know where we would be.
She has brightened not only his life but my whole family's life
and gave us an understanding and a way to communicate
and everybody is so much happier.
The joy that -- in his eyes, when he can tell me
that he wants something, that he wants to do something is amazing
when I never thought that it was even possible,
that I would be able to communicate
and just seeing him grow in the little young man
that he's becoming is absolutely amazing.