“A loving home. We don’t care if it’s a mom, dad, if there are other kids in the house we just want them to be loving.”
DALLAS — Today’s Wednesday’s Child is on the autism spectrum and needs the love and attention of a forever family.
Deon lives in a suburb outside of Houston so WFAA spoke with him and his caretakers over Zoom.
Positive reinforcement is the key to success with 14-year-old Deon. He smiles when he hears “good job,” from his teachers and foster mother.
“He is great with his letters,” said Ms. Tousha.
She and Ms. Barnett are Deon’s teachers. They say his favorite reward is food!
“That’s his favorite. Oatmeal creme pies,” said Tousha.
Deon’s teachers reward him with all his favorite snacks as they work together to build both academic and life skills.
“He folds laundry for life skills. He washes dishes. He puts his tray away for lunch,” said Barnett.
Deon is on the autism spectrum and is nonverbal. However, his teachers say while he doesn’t use words, Deon communicates what he needs.
“I think Deon needs a family that is going to be very loving and very understanding. Deon is a great kid. He needs that loving and caring family that’s going to understand his needs,” said Tousha.
Deon loves to be outside. His advocates sent WFAA a video of him swinging under his favorite tree. His court-appointed special advocate, Megan Farrell, says he is content and happiest when he’s under that tree.
“He is very outdoorsy. He thrives being outside. If he could be outside all day every day that’s what he would do,” said Farrell.
Farrell says Deon is thriving and urgently needs a forever family to take over and bring him home.
“A loving home. We don’t care if it’s a mom, dad, if there are other kids in the house we just want them to be loving, nurturing and have patience with him.”
Deon will need lifelong care, but his smile alone will fill a home with warmth and joy.
If you would like to learn more about Deon and how to adopt him, please call EMPOWER at (833) 7FOSTER and press * or email them at wednesdayschild@3empower.org.
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