This week, we're taking a closer look at autism - and some of the children and families it's affecting right here in north-central Wisconsin.
In addition to speech or occupational therapy, many families are choosing non traditional alternatives available in our area. The Mittelsteadt family in Weston says the in home ABA Therapy seems to be working for them.

Twins Nick and Abby are interacting like typical 5 year olds but things weren't’t always like this for them. Nick is autistic, and his mom Melissa Mittelsteadt, says just before he turned two years old he seem to disconnect from the world. "He knew his numbers and his shapes, things his sister didn't know before she was two. But he would never say mom or ask for more, the things seem to be different compared to his sister. "

Part of Nick and Abby’s play time is actually therapy for Nick. He gets 30 hours a week of one-on-one in-home training through the Wisconsin Early Autism Project, also known as WEAP. Nick's mom says he has been in Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy through WEAP for about 2 and half years. Before therapy she says nick had very limited interaction with his twin sister. She says his therapists say having Abby there helps him build critical social skills with people his own age.

Nick's mom says she is pleased with the results. "They’ve just done a wonderful job teaching nick and drawing him out of his world and into ours." He has nearly completed the WEAP program, his mom's goal is for him to be in a mainstream classroom by the time he enters 5 year old kindergarten this fall.

For more information on the WEAP program click on the link below.