Tag Archives: Your Special Child

Years ago, on a spring morning in East Baltimore, 2-year-old Carlos Woods opened his front door, looking for his juice bottle. At the same moment, Kenneth A. Kelley rounded the corner onto Carlos’ street, looking for vengeance. Kelley, armed and bent on murdering a rival, shot four bullets at his …

Most of the students in Bridget Flynn’s class at the Delrey School — a small private school that serves around 30 children with disabilities — are nonverbal and require one-on-one care from staff and teachers. But every other Friday, students turn the tables, as they plan, make and serve lunch …

Five-year-old Vaughn Barrier has always wanted one thing above all others: to play basketball alongside his dad, with whom he also shares a name. With a basketball coach for a father, Vaughn inherited an innate love for the game, according to his mom, Khalilah Barrier. But a progressive disorder that …

At first glance, the group gathered in the library in Temple Oheb Shalom resembles any religious education class. This particular Saturday morning, the power is out at the synagogue. But the lamps hooked up to the backup generator are working, giving the small room a soft glow. Beth El Cantor …

When her daughter, Darcy, was born nine years ago with Down syndrome, West Towson mother Alana McFall says she “dealt with every stereotype.” McFall was told Down syndrome babies “are so nice,” and since McFall was a special educator she’d be able to “handle” all of Darcy’s “lifelong challenges.” “The …

  At 2 years old, Elena Pearlstein wasn’t babbling. Instead, “she was screeching,” says her mom, Michele Pearlstein. “I was told: ‘Don’t worry. [Elena’s older sister] Isabella is probably speaking for her.’ I had a feeling it was more.” At a speech and language evaluation at age 2, Elena was …

It stands to reason that the people in one’s life—be they acquaintances, friends, neighbors, family members, teachers, doctors or baristas—don’t really know what it’s like to raise a child whose needs, challenges and gifts are different from those of the average child. Unless they have walked that path themselves. Baltimore’s …

In the July issue of Baltimore’s Child, we introduced you to the adorable Kayleigh Hope Klatt, a sweet and sassy 2-year-old with an unbelievable story. Born 94 days early and weighing less than a pound, Kayleigh was the smallest baby ever delivered in Maryland—and though she has done better than …

“My turn!” Just two small words—one phrase—can say a lot about a kid. They could be learning how to share a new toy or video game with others. They could be taking turns on the swings at the playground. But in Lydia Neher’s classroom, “My turn!” is a groundbreaking phrase. …