Nathan Schelp, 9, waits to play Cops and Robbers with his two brothers before attending his weekly physical therapy session on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. He attends both physical and speech therapy sessions led by graduate students at the University of Missouri's Speech and Hearing Clinic.
Robyn Schelp, spins her son Nathan Schelp around on a sensory therapy board after completing a reading lesson during homeschool on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Nathan switched to homeschool approximately one and a half years ago to join his two brothers and get more individualized attention in his education.
Mackenzie Heriford, a graduate clinician in speech language pathology, helps Nathan Schelp with the sound the letter 'r' makes on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Robyn Schelp said that Heriford has been the best therapist Nathan has had because she has taught Nathan in ways that directly relate to his daily life. This therapy session was their last session together.
Nathan, Paul, Jacob and Robyn Schelp walk toward the Missouri Capitol early Wednesday morning in hopes of reminding state legislators of House Bill 1011 on April 19, 2017. House Bill 1011 would broaden the definition of disability to cognitive, emotional, mental, or developmental disability rather than solely physical. The proposed changes would supplement legislation approved in 2010 that requires insurance companies to cover some therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Robyn, Nathan, Paul and Jacob wait to speak with Senator Caleb Rowden among a sea of legislators at the Capitol on April 19, 2017. Nathan passed out Easter candy to state legislators while Robyn informed them about the importance of this bill.
Robyn helps Nathan clean up after going to the bathroom before physical therapy at University of Missouri’s Clark Hall on Thursday, April 20, 2017. Robyn often has to sit on the floor in small stalls to help Nathan while digging through her backpack to get cleaning supplies. Robyn said that bathrooms are very unaccessible not just in the space sense, but because even though Nathan is nine, he still needs help and she gets glares and stares from other women.
From left, Jacob Schelp, 10, Nathan Schelp, 9, and Paul Schelp, 6, play Hungry Hungry Hippos during physical therapy on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Nathan's brothers attend his therapy sessions to not only support him but also to play with each other. Each semester he receives a new therapist, which sometimes digresses the progress he has made in his speech and motor skills.
Nathan Schelp, 9, holds his brother Jacob Schelp, 10, while waiting for their mom and Paul to return from the bathroom on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Robyn said that finding family bathrooms are a struggle in many places and is not something people think twice about unless they are in a situation like hers.
Brothers Nathan Schelp, 9, Paul Schelp, 6, and Jacob Schelp, celebrate Paul winning the Book Walk at the Holly Jolly Christmas Party at Christ Lutheran Church on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. They played until every brother won a free book. The holiday party was organized to celebrate those with special needs and their families and friends.
Robyn restrains Nathan from hitting Mike Jackson while putting on his new shoes at Mid Missouri O & P on April 18. Robyn’s youngest son Paul Schelp, 6, left the room because Nathan screamed too loud. Robyn mentally prepares herself the day prior to going to his orthotics appointments because they always lead to a breakdown.
Nathan wants a hug from Robyn while his physical therapist, Kelly Stephens, caresses his hair on April 19, 2017. After a long Thursday of therapies, Robyn is faced with Nathan’s exhaustion and “cuddle time.”
Robyn Schelp teaches Nathan Schelp and Paul Schelp during homeschool on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. The brothers begin school each morning together with a reading of the Bible and then separate to work on individual reading, geography, spelling and math lessons.
Robyn Schelp comforts Nathan Schelp, 9, after he fell off a therapy ball while practicing Hungry Hungry Hippos in between lessons on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Nathan practices different physical therapy exercises between lessons every day to strengthen his core muscles.
Nathan Schelp, 9, places a cotton ball on the top of the Christmas tree while his mom holds him up after a geography lesson on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. The boys learned about the Argentine Christmas tradition of mimicking snowfall with cotton balls and applied it to their own Christmas tree. Robyn likes to center lessons off of holidays because they are more relatable and memorable for her kids.
Allen Schelp and Nathan Schelp, 9, snuggle after playing hide and seek with his two brothers on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. Allen said that Nathan is very affectionate and he loves to have snuggle time.