T.C. Harris School

The T. C. Harris School is proudly named after the accomplishments of two individuals, Thomas Harris and Crystal Harris, who came to IDTC of Lafayette as children with severe challenges and left as adults with skills that allowed them to live successfully in the community.  While they are not related, their needs were very similar and they live together still.

These two students represented the true meaning of overcoming difficulties each day. IDTC of Lafayette was fortunate enough to be a part of their lives and to have had the opportunity to teach them. Every day spent with Thomas and Crystal was rewarding.

When Thomas arrived to IDTC of Lafayette in March of 2001, he had a number of severe behaviors and needs that made it difficult for him to live at home and in the community. He was unable to wear clothes due to agitation and sensory needs. His way of communicating frustration was to shred his clothes and all fabrics around him. We worked endlessly with Thomas brainstorming creative ideas to help him. When Thomas left in July of 2006, he was shredding only once in a while and was a very pleasant young man. Living as an adult in the community, Thomas now enjoys taking van rides, going out to eat, and listening to music.

Crystal was also nonverbal and one of our most intensive students. Crystal did not have a support system outside of IDTC of Lafayette and came from a very unstable background before IDTC of Lafayette became her family. Crystal arrived by ambulance to IDTC of Lafayette in October of 2002. She was highly aggressive and unable to transition or communicate her needs. Crystal would pinch staff to communicate as well as a number of other physically aggressive behaviors. After a lot of hard work on her part and ours, Crystal became a young lady able to attend community outings and learned to point to items she wanted. Since moving into her adult program in July of 2006, Crystal has been doing wonderful in her new home. She enjoys doing laundry and loading the dishwasher.

We encourage you to think of Thomas and Crystal when you enter the school and recognize that every student can make progress!