You can change the life of a child.

Around Roman’s second birthday, his parents realized he was different from his peers. He wasn’t speaking like they were, and his behavior became increasingly difficult to manage or even understand. Everyday life became a challenge. Simple things, like a trip to the park with his brother or to the grocery store with mom, seemed impossible.

Then Roman’s mom, Misha, found St. David’s Center for Child and Family Development.

Today, you’d never know the extent of the struggles Roman and his family went through. “He’s so articulate. He names his feelings. He’s always the first one in the family to name his feelings. He does a better job than I do,” Misha beams. Roman loves to tell jokes and play with Legos and dinosaurs. He is a happy boy who loves school and his peers.