FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Lucien Gonzales is about to reach a milestone in life. He’s almost going to turn two.<\/p>\n
Lucien was born in 2024 with Down syndrome and heart problems, and was immediately admitted to the NICU.<\/p>\n
It was a challenging time for parents Danielle and Robert Gonzales. While also raising three other kids, it felt overwhelming for them.<\/p>\n
“Even with all the resources we had in the beginning, we didn’t know if we were going to be able to do it,” said Robert Gonzales, Lucien’s father.<\/p>\n
But that’s when they got connected to Empower Speech Therapy and Life Skills Center in Northeast Fresno. The staff at Empower is helping Robert and Danielle navigate Lucien’s early developmental stages.<\/p>\n
The family has been with the center for about a year.<\/p>\n
“Everything that pertains to him walking, his speech, and everything that comes later in life,” Robert Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
Located off North Financial Drive, Empower offers different services, including speech language therapy and early intervention and development support for ages 0 to 3.<\/p>\n
“With Lucien’s Down Syndrome, he’s delayed, so instead of him in speaking two-word sentences, we’re working on sounds,” said Danielle Gonzales, Lucien’s mother.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Nunez is the Lead Early Intervention Specialist.<\/p>\n
“We help you target those milestones that you’re attempting to get your child to reach,” Nunez said. “Some families have concerns, and we’re working solely on the concerns of the family. Some families have concerns for gross motor skills, other families have concerns for cognitive skills.”<\/p>\n
Part of Empower’s mission is to give parents the tools to allow their child to thrive. Nunez said that they create individualized plans for each parent and child, so that they can reach their goals. She explained that they also provide in-home services, which is a big relief for Robert and Danielle.<\/p>\n
“A lot of families will say I can’t make it to the doctor’s appointment because we don’t have a car or transportation,” Nunez said. “So we’re alleviating that burden and coming to you.”<\/p>\n
Empower and the Central Valley Regional Center partner together to get families connected to the resources they need. For Danielle and Robert, they’ve seen the confidence grow in Lucien, empowering him to have a happy and healthy quality of life.<\/p>\n
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