Kaylah and Dominick (Dom) have always been a team, navigating life together as mother and son. Throughout Dom’s entire life, they’ve gone to Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) for therapy and pediatrics. “He’s always been well supported,” said Kaylah.
Early in 2024, Dom was diagnosed with autism. The team he saw at NCH was incredibly supportive and actively communicated with his school to get him the accommodations he needed.
Last fall, he started the second grade strong. He had a great support team and a solid set of accommodations for school. He had been thriving, but suddenly, his behaviors took a sharp turn.
Kaylah called NCH’s response line for help, and they told her she should take Dom to their Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion (BHP).
“Being Black, it’s very hard with mental health as an overall stigma,” she shared. “It was very intimidating for me to take him in….So there was a number of emotions going into everything.”
Kaylah decided to take him to the hospital. At BHP, they placed him on a psychiatric hold for four days before releasing him. Within 12 hours, though, they were back.
This time, Dom was placed in 7A, a floor for younger children with autism. For the next two weeks, he received autism treatment.
On 7A, parents can only visit their child in their room. They cannot be in the hallways or around the other children on the floor. This meant that when Dom participated in group activities, therapies or anything outside his room, Kaylah didn’t have a place to go.
Discovering the Ronald McDonald Family Room
On their first day, a staff member told Kaylah about the Ronald McDonald Family Room in BHP. Kaylah, however, had a difficult time giving herself permission to use it at first.
“I was like, ‘No, that’s for sick kids’ and things like that. It took me a while to get over my ego. My child is sick, just in a different way. I can utilize the resources.”
Kaylah began tentatively visiting the room, using it to do her work as a regional property manager. She started frequenting it more and more often, often visiting four or five times a day.
Over the course of two admissions on the 7th floor that fall, Kaylah developed a routine in the Family Room. She would sit in her favorite rocking chair and work for a while before watching a bit of TV. At meal times, she would grab something from the cafeteria or the room’s fridge and enjoy it at the table.
Building a Support System
She began inviting her support system to be in the room with her. Her family and her closest friend, who is also Dom’s godmother, would enjoy meals with her and keep her company.
The Family Room provided a perfect environment for Kaylah to discuss her own thoughts and worries both with loved ones and with other families going through similar experiences.
“Dom’s scenario was mental health help,” she said. “And that’s exactly what I needed too.…It was a good experience, and I’m happy that I utilized it. It allowed me to take a breath of fresh air.”
Kaylah also found comfort in sharing with parents of older boys with autism. Their stories gave her hope for Dom’s future.
“Some of the moms were telling me their sons were teenagers, and things started at my son’s age then got better. It was an amount of hope.”
Throughout Dom’s admissions, Kaylah only went back home to sleep. She appreciated having a space where she could relax and work during the day, so she didn’t have to drive back and forth multiple times.
“It makes you feel better knowing that you’re not leaving your kid to go home and just enjoy life while they’re stuck in the hospital.”
The Family Room Staff
Kaylah also felt supported by the staff members at the Family Room. “Everyone knew me; everyone was welcoming.”
One time, Kaylah was in a morning rush and forgot to take a shower, something she does every morning. That day, a staff member checked in on her. Upon hearing her story, she gave her a kit with deodorant, hand sanitizer and other toiletries to help her freshen up on days she couldn’t shower. “It was the cutest little thoughtful thing.”
Kaylah’s Message
Kaylah was greatly appreciative for her time at the Ronald McDonald Family Room, and she wanted to share her experience with others.
“My message to other parents is, don’t be too prideful. Utilize what’s in front of you because we all need it.”
Moving Forward
During his first admission, Dom was diagnosed with ADHD on top of his previous diagnosis of autism. Kaylah was surprised, since he didn’t show signs of hyperactivity, but she soon learned that hyperactivity isn’t always part of ADHD. With this new information, their on-call provider has been able to make adjustments to his medications to help him thrive all around.
After his two admissions, Dom has returned to school with ease, utilizing its Behavior Learning Center. He has now worked towards a lot of his goals set in inpatient as well as some new goals they set in outpatient.
“Every day he’s getting better,” said Kaylah. “It makes me so proud of him.”
