After the school counselor and administration referred Garret to CISTN for challenges with leaving class (or eloping) when overstimulated, he met our program manager, Mr. Austin. Garret is a bright 6th grader who struggled particularly with auditory triggers in a bustling middle school environment. Working closely with the counselor and administration, Mr. Austin introduced a system of break tickets and positive reinforcement. These tickets offered Garret a structured way to take a moment away from class whenever he felt overwhelmed, rather than eloping. Over time, they incrementally raised expectations, prompting Garret to remain in class and actively participate -especially in gym class, his most challenging period. By incorporating earplugs, providing consistent support, and rewarding effort, the team helped Garret build both confidence and coping skills.
Now, Garret has not eloped since November and hasn’t demonstrated any challenging behaviors in class since December. He recently shared that his favorite activity has been playing soccer in gym - a remarkable transformation given that he once found it difficult to stay for warmups. Mr. Austin took Garret on a reward outing to a bowling alley with a loud arcade, where Garret proudly used earplugs to navigate the stimulating environment.
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