Megan Valley and Raymon Troncoso
Belleville News Democrat & Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Braxton Lear is 5 years old and tall for his age. He runs – not walks – from his scooter, to the swing set, to the trampoline in his great-aunt’s backyard in Caseyville, about 12 miles east of St. Louis.
Braxton’s mom, Shannon Lear, asks him what’s his name, how old is he, and what’s her name. He answers.
“He couldn’t do that a year ago,” Lear said.
Braxton was diagnosed with autism around his third birthday. For the past year and a half, he’s been receiving autism behavioral therapy from the Hope Institute, which Lear said has completely changed his behavior and strengthened their bond.