Liberty POST Offers Whole-Child Approach to Supporting Children with Autism

All Access, a public television series hosted by Andy Garcia, recently featured Liberty POST, an early childhood division of Liberty Resources. The segment highlighted how Liberty POST employs a whole-child approach to support children with autism, emphasizing the importance of individualized, relationship-based care.

Liberty POST, based in New York State, offers comprehensive pediatric developmental and therapy services. The organization’s approach is rooted in recognizing that no two children experience the world in the same way. Instead of focusing solely on a diagnosis, Liberty POST’s multidisciplinary teams work to understand each child’s unique strengths, needs, interests, relationships, and environment.

Laura Zaferakis, Vice President of Liberty POST, explained, "At Liberty POST, our job is to meet children where they are, understand how they experience the world, and build the relationships that allow them to feel safe, connected, and ready to grow. We don't see a child as a diagnosis or a collection of deficits. We see the whole child, and we work alongside their family to turn challenges into opportunities for connection, development, and greater independence."

The segment showcased how Liberty POST’s approach begins with understanding what connection means for each individual child. Clinicians, families, caregivers, and educators collaborate to build trust and meaningful relationships that are tailored to each child’s unique needs. This foundation supports social-emotional development, communication, independence, and skill building in ways that are meaningful to the child.

Kelli Harris, CEO of Liberty Resources, stated, "Through this feature, we hope to deepen understanding of neurodiversity, celebrate the strengths and potential of every child, and highlight the importance of creating communities where every child feels understood, valued, and supported."

Family partnership is central to Liberty POST’s model. No single clinician or discipline works in isolation; each brings their expertise to the table. Together, they develop an individualized approach that fosters consistency across home, school, therapy, and other environments. This approach ensures that progress made in therapy translates into meaningful changes in daily life.

The All Access segment provided a broader understanding of autism and neurodiversity, emphasizing that differences in communication, social interaction, or behavior do not define a child’s potential. When families and professionals work together, prioritize relationships, and seek to understand how an individual child experiences and connects with the world, challenges can become opportunities for connection, confidence, independence, and growth.

The feature on Liberty POST and its approach to supporting children with autism offers a valuable perspective on the importance of a whole-child approach in early childhood development. By highlighting the organization’s work, the segment aims to inspire and educate viewers on the critical role of relationships and individualized care in the lives of children with autism.