Reign darted around the room at Barnaby Manor Elementary School, one of Playtime Project’s Prince George’s County (PGC) program sites. Her restless energy made it difficult for her to listen and follow directions.
While Reign’s speech delay sometimes made communication a challenge, this was not typical behavior for her. Deanna, Playtime’s Site Manager, decided to text Reign’s mother, Ebony. Ebony knew exactly what had caused the change in behavior. She explained that Reign's father had recently suffered a brain injury, was paralyzed, and was in the hospital.
Deanna approached Reign while the other children were busy with an activity. "Reign, are you sad?" Normally, she would echo words she heard, but before Deanna could even mention her dad, she said, “Sad! Daddy...hospital,” followed by a small, sorrowful sound. Deanna knelt down, “I’m really sorry. It’s okay to feel sad. We can talk about it if you want.” After that, Reign calmed down and joined the activity.
"If Playtime wasn’t at Barnaby [Elementary School], we never would have gotten that aftercare."
Ebony, mother of Playtime child with autism
After Reign was diagnosed with autism at 5 years old, Ebony immediately dove into learning about autism and how to communicate with Reign in a way that makes sense to her. “You can’t just tell her to get something, you have to describe its color, that it’s on top of the table...She’ll point and look for your validation.”
Reign is one of many Playtime children who have a developmental delay or disability. So far this year, we have 23 school-age children with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan); in 2024 we had 31. The number of children in Playtime programs with IEPs has doubled in the last two years. (An IEP outlines the services and supports a student with disabilities needs to reach their educational goals.) This doesn’t count younger children or those with 504 plans requiring other special accommodations. HALF of the nation’s children who are homeless under the age of four have developmental delays, a rate that is 3-4 times higher than housed children.
With or without a diagnosis, Playtime has always served all children. We hire staff and recruit volunteers with experience working with children with disabilities and, as part of our three-year strategic plan, are bringing on a social worker to enhance the level of support we offer families.
So far this year, we have 23 school-age children with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan); in 2024 we had 31. The number of children in Playtime programs with IEPs has doubled in the last two years.
Playtime advocates for families who face roadblocks on the road to housing stability as much as possible. Ten-year-old Omari Woodland, a longtime program participant, has lived in three places in six months. Changing schools would be challenging for any child, but Omari faced extra barriers because he uses a wheelchair due to gun violence. Thanks to the advocacy of Omari’s mother and Playtime’s Executive Director, Jamila Larson, he was able to start school after a month delay. Jamila later testified to the Maryland House of Delegates on the issue.
Reign’s mother, Ebony knows what it takes to care for a child with autism and wishes parents had more support. “I wish there were more before and aftercare programs for autism or people who are better trained in it. If Playtime wasn’t at Barnaby, we never would have gotten that aftercare. [I wish parents understood] IEPs aren’t bad; they’re nothing to be ashamed of. I’d encourage other parents to find community. It’s not always family, but other parents, teachers, or providers [like Playtime]. When you have community, you don’t feel isolated.”
