“My Life Is Split Between Before Caregiver Training and After”: Aubrey and Kenna’s Story

Before starting In-Home Caregiver Training with Easterseals Midwest, Aubrey felt overwhelmed. Kenna was breaking things around the house, peeling paint from walls, and running off without warning.

In-Home Caregiver Training helps families better understand autism and learn practical ways to support their child. An Easterseals Midwest specialist works with caregivers on strategies for communication, daily routines, safety, and behavior. The training includes guidance and hands-on coaching that families can use in everyday situations.

Their home was close to a highway, and Aubrey feared Kenna would run into traffic. She also struggled to keep Kenna away from dangerous items at home.

“I didn't know how to keep her safe,” Aubrey said. “I was afraid she would get hit by the car.”

Aubrey had tried to find answers, but she didn't know how to help Kenna or where to turn. She had received information about autism, but it was too much to take in all at once.

“I was sitting there trying to parent this child like I had my last four children, and nothing was working,” she said. “I'm just sitting here trying to keep her safe, I'm not doing any kind of parenting. I'm just protecting.”

That changed when a caseworker told Aubrey about Caregiver Training at Easterseals Midwest. For the first time, she had someone who could help her understand autism and learn what to do next.

Finding Answers That Worked for Kenna

Aubrey began working with Ryan Mitchem, an Easterseals Midwest specialist who helped her learn about autism, communication, daily routines, and behavior. They worked through lessons one step at a time, with each lesson tied to Kenna’s needs.

“It was putting words to all these things that I knew she did in my head, but I didn't know what it was or how to handle it,” Aubrey said. “Almost every single time brought an 'aha' moment."

One simple tool made a big difference: signs.

After learning about visual supports, Aubrey put stop signs and “no climbing” signs around the house. Kenna began responding to them, and Aubrey saw how a small change could help.

“I would have never thought to put signs up,” she said.

The training also helped Aubrey understand how to communicate with Kenna. Instead of asking questions that were too complex, she learned to use simple language and yes-or-no questions.

“Learning how to talk to her has allowed her to talk to me,” Aubrey said. “I was talking before and it was too complicated. So we simplified it.”

Practicing in Real Life

The support didn't stop with lessons at home. Aubrey and Kenna also practiced skills during community outings, including walks along Main Street and trips to local places.

During one walk, they intentionally moved away from their usual route to see how Kenna would respond. Kenna became upset and tried to run off.

Aubrey's current specialist, Mak Kleist, didn't step in and take over, but instead coached Aubrey through the moment, reminding her of strategies she could try with Kenna.

“It’s real life training, in the moment,” Aubrey said. “It's not a book that you're reading saying, ‘You should do this and that.’ It's her looking at my specific child and telling me what she thinks would work the best.”

That hands-on support helped Aubrey feel more prepared to respond when difficult moments happened. She was learning how to use the tools herself, with guidance from someone who understood Kenna’s needs.

Fear Turning into Freedom

One of the biggest changes for Aubrey is being able to go outside with Kenna without holding her hand the entire time.

“When she runs, she'll start to elope and I can just say, ‘Kenna, we run and we're done,’ and then she'll immediately stop and turn around,” Aubrey said.

Kenna still has difficult moments, but she has learned new ways to handle her needs more safely. Aubrey has also learned how to respond when Kenna becomes overwhelmed.

When Kenna gets frustrated, she may ask for a break, take deep breaths, or go to the sensory room in the basement. There, she can swing, climb, and move her body before returning when she feels calmer.

“She still has these fits, but they happen in a much safer way than they used to because she's able to recognize that,” Aubrey said.

The change has affected more than their routines. Aubrey no longer feels the same level of fear every time they step outside.

“I don't have an anxiety attack every time she's outside anymore,” she said. “We can actually enjoy being outside together. I can take her to a park that doesn't have fences and feel okay.”

A Family with a Team Behind Them

Caregiver Training has also helped Aubrey learn how to work with Kenna’s school and other providers. She now has a better understanding of her rights, school support, and ways to ask for what Kenna needs.

“When I call Mak, I'll say, ‘Hey, I don't know what to do,’” Aubrey said. “And that's when she'll say, ‘Okay, well you have this right, this right, and this right. Let me do some research. Let me help you to know what the next step is.’”

That support has changed how she sees her role as Kenna’s advocate.

“It's not even so much that I'm advocating for my daughter, but we have an entire team advocating for my daughter now,” she said.

Life at home has become less hectic, too. Aubrey has fewer bruises than she used to and can give more attention to her other children. She knows there is still more to learn as Kenna grows, but now, Aubrey has tools, guidance, and a team to help her plan for what comes next.

“You Just Have to Give It a Chance”

Aubrey knows that letting someone into your home can feel hard, especially when life feels out of control. She worried about what someone might think of the damage in her house, but she knew her family needed help.

Looking back, she describes a clear divide in her life: before Caregiver Training and after.

“Easterseals has been there with me through every single step of her childhood since then, and it's helped in so many different ways,” Aubrey said.

Her advice to other parents who feel overwhelmed is simple:

“Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know what you're doing and you need help.”

In-Home Caregiver Training helps parents and caregivers learn practical ways to support their children at home and in the community. With education, hands-on practice, and coaching, families can build skills that fit their own needs and goals.

Interested in In-Home Caregiver Training in the Kansas City area?

Contact Casey Melancon at casey.melancon@esmw.org or call 816-891-2930 to learn more.

Learn more about Easterseals Midwest Caregiver Autism Training.