Noah is a student at Old Orchard Beach High School, and has a goal to attend college when he graduates. His focus for the last year and a half has been graphic design and that’s what he’s planning to study.

Pine Tree Society’s Autism Transition Program is a step towards him being able to reach that goal.

“In the classes Noah has taken so far, I’ve watched him grow socially to the extent that he even offered up information himself during class, which shocked me because he doesn’t usually do that,” said his mother, Stacey.

She finds that the workshops he’s taken part in have helped him immensely, not just with the topic at hand but with unexpected things.

“The arts and crafts program really helped with his dexterity. I didn’t expect that.” Stacy is a widow, raising Noah herself.

“We’ve been working a little bit on him leaving me. He has anxiety about that. Being able to leave him at the class and have him not call me 17 times is huge. That was also something I didn’t think of that would come out of the program.”

He’s meeting new people and trying new things, all while learning the importance of making eye contact, listening, and following directions. All skills he needs to succeed at his goals.