Italia’s Story Chosen for Children’s Institute Cover
What did you do?
Italia who is Autistic and has speech and developmental delays was chosen as the cover story for the yearly Children’s Institute Of Pittsburgh Magazine for 2020-2021. Italia is also the face of their Fall 2020 Fundraising Appeal Campaign.
Italia has therapy every week virtually since Coronavirus started. She participated in Outpatient Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy through the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.
What organization recognized the achievement?
The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
How did homeschooling help you achieve your goal?
Seton Catholic Home Study School allows for Italia to have so much flexibility in her school day that she is able to work with all of her therapists so that she may one day, God willing, be able to reach developmental milestones like her same-aged peers.
What are your interests?
Italia loves playing with her best friend and big brother Nico. She loves soccer and baseball and playing with her guys. She also loves playing with play-doh, coloring, painting, and going for walks,
What are you inspired to do with your life?
My brain works a little differently than most of my peers so sometimes my mommy has to answer questions like this for me. This is one of those questions.
Italia inspires everyone she touches. She is loving and kind and makes so many people better. Although she has not found all of her words to speak verbally yet; she speaks without words and inspires with her actions every day of her life.
She loves God and her family and inspires every one of us to see the good in each other. I feel like Italia would aspire to always be kind and loving to those around her and always show peace and love to the world in whatever way she can.
What are your favorite subjects and why?
My favorite subject is Religion. I love saying the Sign of the Cross every morning. I can’t say many words but I say that every day. Then my mommy reads all of my prayers to me every day. I also love learning about Mary and the Rosary while I color.
The photo was taken at The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh