More Than Just A Diagnosis: The Kalib Wilson Story

by Tenesha Green | WeINSPIRE Reporter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When Kalib Wilson was born on January 11, 2005, his mother Sheena Jones was a new teacher in Petersburg, Virginia. Jones was teaching high school students, homebound students, and coaching cheerleading as well as raising her happy, healthy and high spirited baby boy.

Sheena Jones and Kalib Wilson. Photo Courtesy of Sheena Jones

Wilson began experiencing a lot of ear infections as he approached his first birthday. A variety of antibiotics were prescribed in an effort to cure the infections and to help with the pain. At Wilson’s one-year checkup when he wasn’t responsive to the doctor’s clap nor calling his name, she recommended Jones take him to be evaluated for autism.

“It seems so surreal when someone says that to you,” Jones said. “Especially when they don’t know for sure because that is a completely life-changing assumption.”

Eight months later, in August of 2006, Wilson was officially diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Doctors told Jones to not expect Wilson to talk or progress further than the stage he was currently at. At 18 months, Wilson had the cognitive development of a three-month-old but the visual perception of a seven-year-old.

This seemingly abnormal combination of realities was confusing for doctors and Jones at best. In recollecting one particular moment with doctors, Jones shared: “I remember [there] was a wooden puzzle,” Jones said. “It was three different shapes that you can put together and take a part. But he was able to put them back together, no matter how the doctor manipulated it. That is the one thing that gave me hope.”

The chart Jones created to help her son learn to talk and identify body parts. Photo Courtesy of Sheena Jones

After Wilson’s diagnosis, he was put into early intervention preschool at the age of 19 months. Along with the early intervention preschool, Jones and Wilson’s primary care physician went on a trial and error with medications -- the side effects of the prescriptions and the quantities led him to either experience extreme bursts of energy, prolonged lethargy, or gain an unhealthy amount of weight. Jones decided to drop everything she was doing, including teaching in Petersburg to tend to her son’s needs full time.

“I told them ‘you can replace me as a teacher, but you can’t replace me as a mom… my son needs me,’” Jones said.

Jones with her three boys Kalib, Kyree (bottom left), and Khole (bottom right). Photo Courtesy of Sheena Jones

Jones’ transition home allowed her to notice nuances of Wilson’s development and interests. Around the age of two, Wilson showed an interest in technology, was displaying signs of being tech-savvy and Jones realized teaching Wilson through technology had great potential.

Before long, Jones decided to move to Northern Virginia. While preparing for the move, her research led her to Alternative Paths Training School. Wilson was enrolled into this school, attended it for six years and according to Jones, it changed his life for the better.

“It made him studious,” she said. “It gave him the platform that he needed to learn, to grow and to be able to do things that he otherwise would not have done had he not gone to that school.”

Now, almost 15-years old, standing at 6 foot 2 inches tall, Wilson has taken an interest in coding and digital filmmaking. When he grows up he hopes to be an expert coder. To gain practice, he codes his own short episodes on his YouTube channel Scratch Tv.

Wilson with the computer kit he received for his birthday. He ended up putting the computer together the same day and using it. Photo Courtesy of Sheena Jones

Jones believes early intervention is the best thing that happened to her son and pushes for other parents who may not know which direction to go in to consider having their child evaluated as soon as possible.

“Early intervention is key,” Jones said. “Do not let fear set in. Many parents get afraid of labeling their kids but early intervention is key to reaching their full potential and having successful futures.”