16 •
PROGRESS
P
eople need people, as the saying goes.
In our careers, our marriages, and our
friendships, we seek out relationships
and build bridges that blaze a path and
reveal our purpose. We often find that life’s
biggest lessons, opportunities, and gifts
are borne from the connections we make
with others. It is in this place we are called
to practice the art of giving and receiving.
But what if you are not able to make that
connection? What if, despite every attempt,
the span is just too wide? And no matter
how long you work on that bridge, you just
can’t reach the other side.
Angela and Clinton Paul are very familiar
with this divide. They have two boys of
their own who have been diagnosed with
autism: Jonas and Eli. Each of them have
their own unique challenges, which serve
to illustrate the wide breadth of the autism
spectrum. Eli is the oldest. He’s a high-
functioning 15-year-old with typical social
challenges. Jonas is two years younger and
has limitations with vocabulary and needs
constant supervision.
“He was diagnosed at four years-old while
attending preschool. The teachers and aides
at the school worked with us in so many
ways. They even put special locks on doors
because Jonas would elope, which is a nice
way of saying he kept running off,” said
Angela Paul.
In many ways, the Paul family is just like
any other family. There are good days
and bad days. There are times of crying
and times of laughter. There are moments
of hope and moments of despair. In the
search for meaning, they’ve found that it is
the perspective gained that makes all the
difference.
“I vividly remember when Jonas was
diagnosed 9 years ago,” said Clinton. “We
walked out to the parking lot at Riley
Hospital with Jonas in between us, each of
us holding his hand. We had just spoken
with the doctors, and we made our way
to the car and drove home in complete
silence. Numb. Dumbfounded. Lost. It
took us awhile to get our feet under us.”
It was that basic human need to connect
with others that forced them to take action
and find the support their family needed.
First, the Pauls started the Autism Resource
Center of Kokomo (ARCK) in 2008. The
mission was simple. Connect families with
each other and allow them to share stories
and ideas, find professionals and services,
empower parents and bring awareness to
the community.
“Looking back, I think we started ARCK
as much for ourselves as we did for
others. We didn’t really
understand that at the time.
But over the years, we’ve
met so many wonderful
people and professionals
and created so many great
memories. It is that common
experience that creates a
shared understanding… and
connects our families,” said
Clinton.
The second step came in the
form of Engaging Minds
Autism Services; a separate
company, which provides
Applied Behavior Analysis
therapy (ABA) to children
with autism. Shortly after
their boys were diagnosed,
the Paul family began ABA
therapy. They made career changes. Angela
went back to school and studied to become
a CPA so she could be closer to home and
Clinton did contract work at home as a
lawyer.
“When you have a child, you happily give
all of yourself to make sure they get the
best shot possible. Especially these kiddos
who need a little extra. They become the
center of your life, and your plans take a
back seat,” said Clinton.
Clinton and Angela drove back and forth to
Fishers every day for over two years, often
driving four hours a day, in pursuit of the
most professional therapies for their young
sons.
“We knew it was what our boys needed,
and every day when we dropped them off,
we knew we were doing the right thing.
That is a really big deal to a parent. We had
this wonderful experience with ABA and
met so many great people. We wanted to
bring world-class ABA to the families here
in Kokomo. Angie and I were born and
raised here and we wanted to give these
professionals a space to work,” Clinton said.
Engaging Minds Autism Services was the
answer. Engaging Minds brings a focus
on the entire family and emphasizes a
consistent approach across all settings.
“We meet these children where they are
and build from that. Everyone learns
differently and we try to bridge that gap,
find a tunnel into their world and expand
that tunnel. We work on communication,
social skills, life skills, learning skills. It’s
an ever-changing state of evaluation and
re-evaluation. Once a goal is met, we move
onto the next.” said Clinton. “It is never a
straight line. That’s not the way life works.
There are breakthroughs and setbacks.
But with consistent care from dedicated
professionals, we make a real difference.
Every day we move the bar forward just a
bit more,” said Clinton.
It has been quite a journey for the Paul
family, and the ever growing family
at Engaging Minds Autism Services.
The road has certainly had its share of
unexpected detours, but they remain
committed to serving those families of
children with autism. Just as they found
support for their boys, Jonas and Eli, they
will continue to lock arms around these
families and bridge that divide.
As Angie explains, “It is our privilege to
work with these families here in Kokomo.
We grew up here and this is our home.
Our children have done more than simply
change our path. They’ve shown us a
wonderful world we never knew existed.”
More than just therapy…family
POSITIVE RESULTS
