My name is David Thompson, and I live in Raleigh with my wife, Maria, and our son, Caleb. Caleb is eight years old now, but the early years were very hard. When he was three, he was diagnosed with autism, and the doctors described him as “low functioning.” He had only a few words, he avoided eye contact, and when he became frustrated, he often cried or hit his head. Even simple routines like brushing his teeth or sitting down for dinner felt impossible. As parents, we loved him deeply, but most days felt overwhelming.
By the time Caleb turned six, our home life was strained. He had meltdowns almost every day, and outings were so difficult that we stopped trying. He rarely connected with us and had no way to express what he wanted other than crying or yelling. We felt stuck and hopeless. That was when a family friend told us about Kinfolk ABA in Raleigh. I will admit, I was skeptical at first, but we decided to give it a chance.
From the beginning, the Kinfolk team was professional and compassionate. They suggested in-home therapy so that Caleb could learn in a familiar environment and we could be part of the process. They explained how they would use differential reinforcement, which meant rewarding positive behaviors instead of focusing on the negative ones. It sounded simple, but it gave us a framework we could actually use. We started with two-hour sessions each afternoon, five days a week.
The first few weeks were tough. Caleb resisted sitting at the table and tried to run off during activities. But the therapist stayed calm and consistent. She encouraged us to celebrate small wins. If Caleb sat for a short period, he got access to his favorite toy car. If he used a word to request something, he got bubbles or a snack he loved. At first the changes were tiny, but over time we saw him start to realize that positive behaviors worked better for him.
One of the first breakthroughs happened in our kitchen. Caleb wanted to go outside and instead of screaming, he said “ball.” It was just one word, but it was the first time he asked for something without melting down. That moment gave us hope and showed us the therapy was making a difference.
Over the following months, we worked on daily routines right in our home. Mealtimes used to be the hardest part of the day because Caleb often threw food when he was upset. The therapist taught us how to ignore the throwing while immediately praising and rewarding him when he stayed calm (see differential reinforcement). At first, the rewards were bigger, like favorite snacks or extra playtime, but as time went on, simple encouragement and smiles were enough. Slowly, the food throwing stopped, and meals became more manageable.
Another milestone was communication. The therapist introduced a picture exchange system and kept it on our kitchen counter. Whenever Caleb handed us a picture for something he wanted, like “juice,” we responded right away with praise and the item. This reduced his frustration and gave him a reliable way to communicate. Within a few months, his screaming decreased, and he started combining words with the pictures. It was not perfect, but it was progress we could clearly see.
Now, two years later, Caleb is doing better than we could have imagined back then. He still has challenges, but he has grown in so many ways. He uses short sentences, he can play simple games with his cousins, and he goes to a special education classroom at his elementary school. He still has meltdowns, but they are shorter and easier to manage because we now understand the process of the autistic meltdown. The self-injury has stopped completely, and we feel safe taking him to the park or grocery store. One of my favorite memories is when he rode the carousel at Pullen Park and laughed the whole time. For us, that was a victory.
The progress has not been overnight, and it has not been perfect, but it has been steady. Having therapy in our home made the strategies practical and doable. We learned how to handle the tough moments and how to reinforce the good ones. The biggest difference is that we no longer feel helpless. We have tools, and Caleb has a way forward.
I share our story for other parents who might feel the same way we once did, tired, unsure, and overwhelmed. Real progress is possible, even if it comes slowly. Kinfolk ABA didn’t promise us quick fixes. What they gave us was consistency, support, and a plan that worked. Our son is proof that with time and patience, change can happen.
If you live in Raleigh or nearby and you are looking for support, I encourage you to reach out to Kinfolk ABA. They made a real difference for our family, and they can help yours too!
