5 minute read
Meet Developmental Enrichment Program’s Sharon Cesnik & Paula Quammen - Merging Love, Fun, & Growth
By: Rebecca Wood
Five years ago, Carla Schmid frantically phoned a developmental pediatrician. Schmid desperately sought guidance for her 3-yearold son, Cody, who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Cody was struggling in his cooperative preschool class with verbal and social skills. He lagged behind his peers in reaching developmental milestones.
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To Schmid’s dismay, the developmental pediatrician couldn’t see Cody for months. Schmid erupted into tears and reiterated the need for immediate help. The sympathetic office staff referred Schmid to the Developmental Enrichment Program run by Sharon Cesnik and Paula Quammen.
Shortly thereafter, Cody was enrolled in the program’s preschool enrichment classes. In a matter of weeks, Cody was not only able to sit for circle time, but he began to respond to questions and engage in tasks. The Schmids continued to witness Cody’s growth as he attended more and more classes.
“Before my husband and I could even dare to imagine a future for Cody, Sharon and Paula already saw and believed in his potential. They knew he could be pulled out of his ‘inner world’ and engage with the world around him,” Schmid said.
Cody is now in first grade. Schmid says Cody’s teachers are shocked to read his preschool reports. The same kid who was non-verbal and non-responsive to verbal input is now laughing with peers on the playground and volunteering to answer questions at morning meeting.
“It’s not an exaggeration at all to say that Sharon and Paula completely changed our son’s life,” said Schmid.
Cody’s story is not unique; numerous other families share similar accounts of children’s changed lives through the Developmental Enrichment Program.
Cesnik and Quammen launched the Developmental Enrichment Program 23 years ago. The pair had previously worked at Crossroads Rehabilitation Center. Cesnik, a trained speech therapist, and Quammen, an early childhood and special education teacher, worked well together and shared the same philosophy on children; namely, the desire to make growth fun.
While at Crossroads, Cesnik and Quammen recognized the school systems’ limited resources for children struggling with social, verbal, and academic skills. They noted a need for private therapy to fill those gaps. They also wanted to include the entire family in the process, an undertaking many school districts find difficult.
Eager to meet those needs, the twosome initially developed a summer program for preschoolers struggling with speech, social, and behavioral skills. After that first summer, Developmental Enrichment Program grew into a year-round program that serves children age 3 to eighth grade through both preschool enrichment programs and school-age social skills groups.
Between 50 and 60 kids are currently enrolled in the Developmental Enrichment Program. Many kids in the program have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or Down syndrome, but the program accepts children facing all sorts of behavioral and developmental challenges.
Cesnik and Quammen said their program is best suited for children who are having trouble being successful, but they shy away from labeling a child based on a diagnosis.
“We put the diagnoses on the shelf and look at the child’s strengths and weaknesses. We want to give all families hope and encouragement that their child can be the best he or she can be,” Quammen said.
The Developmental Enrichment Program offers a morning and afternoon session and operates after-school social skills groups for school-age children. Classes or groups have 12 children or less grouped by age and skill level. A typical class or group focuses on language, behavior, social, cognitive, emotional, and coping skills.
The social skills groups often participate in “share day” where children learn the “give and take” of conversation. The groups also play lots of group games where kids practice losing and being a good sport.
“We are firm but very kind,” said Cesnik. “We asked the parents ‘if your child didn’t have this diagnosis, what would your expectations be of your child?’ We help the child meet those expectations with additional support.”
Cesnik and Quammen don’t limit their interaction just to the group or class seatings. They perform home and school visits. They attend school meetings where they offer additional input to teachers and staff on behalf of a child.
With the depth of interactions, the Developmental Enrichment Program nurtures a family atmosphere, not only for the child enrolled in the program, but also for the child’s family.
“We love longevity with the parents and children,” said Cesnik. “We say once a family, always a family. We are always wanting to be part of a child’s life.”
Quammen added, “Getting invited to one of our kids’ high school graduation parties is the most rewarding. We’ve had kids earn their Eagle Scout rank, attend college, and get married.”
Both women have a passion for working with children who are struggling. Quammen understands many of the children’s feelings as she faced her own medical challenges at birth. Quammen was born without an esophagus and endured numerous surgeries and medical interventions over the years.
She said her parents wanted her to be strong. “My parents placed the bar high and didn’t treat me any differently.”
Quammen and Cesnik maintain this same philosophy with their Developmental Enrichment Program kids. The pair sets high expectations while still imparting unconditional love to their kids.
“We can always find the good in any kid,” Cesnik said. “We aim to prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child.”
Setting expectations high in a loving fashion proved life-changing for Cody. Schmid admitted that fear and uncertainty stopped her and her husband from pushing Cody towards growth. She credits Cesnik and Quammen with providing wisdom and direction.
“They were strong enough and wise enough to know that a push was exactly what he needed,” said Schmid. “We will be forever grateful. Honestly, I’m not sure where Cody would be without them.”
The Developmental Enrichment Program starts its next sessions on September 7. If interested in learning more about the program, email Sharon Cesnik at sharon_cesnik@ comcast.net or Paula Quammen at paquammen@yahoo.com.
Save the Date!
Puppies and Ponies at Sunset Friday, July 16, 2021 - Hickory Hall Polo Club7551 E. 100 N. Whitestown, IN 46075
Gates Open at 5 p.m.
A family friendly event to benefit the life-changing missionsof ICAN and Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding
Learn more at www.icandog.org or www.morningdovetrc.org
