Joy Falahee thought she knew how to play with her 2-year-old, Alexa.
There she was holding a plastic microphone, pretending to talk to Alexa. There she was offering a tiny zebra for Alexa to put in a brown plastic boat.
But when she looked back later at video of her and Alexa playing, Joy realized it was all wrong. Alexa barely looked at her. Alexa wanted nothing to do with her.
Alexa has autism. Joy, 32, received her daughter's diagnosis four months ago. Research says that by age 5, children's brains are mostly formed. Alexa's doctor told Joy and her husband, Tom, that they have only a few years to draw Alexa out.
She and Tom, a manager at CVS, have spent $70,000 to get her help. Occupational therapy. Physical therapy. Even horse therapy.
But recently they found another way to help Alexa, one that will require hours on a blanket with Alexa and a tub of toys.
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