When 15-month-old Noah Jones first arrived at the Ann Storck Center, he couldn't walk down the hallway without being overcome with anxiety and tears.
But at the center's preschool graduation Thursday, Noah, clad in a white cap and gown, strolled down the aisle proudly, along with 34 other graduates ages 3 to 5.
Noah, who suffers from a pervasive developmental disorder that affects his communication skills, ``has come very far,'' said his mother, Nicole. ``He's very verbal now.''
``He knows he's accomplished a lot. He gets it. There was a time when he wouldn't,'' she said of her 4-year-old son, who was given the ``Little Mozart'' award at the ceremony held at the Fort Lauderdale Police Officers Association Hall.
The Ann Storck Center preschool, located in Fort Lauderdale, provides occupational, physical and speech therapy for children with disabilities like Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and spina bifida.
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An 81-year-old woman from Gloucestershire has been named carer of the year for looking after her daughter who has a rare brain disorder.
Anne Ravenscroft from Whitecroft has four children and has taken care of 46-year-old Heidi, who is unable to talk and is a quadriplegic, since birth.
She was nominated for the award by her husband and said looking after Heidi was "normal life and a joy".
Reg Ravenscroft, 82, said his wife was wonderful and had kept Heidi alive.
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