Introducing Maximilian, a fun-loving 12-year-old with a de novo GRIA4 variant.

Max has epilepsy, an intellectual disability and is mostly non-verbal. Struggling with communication and being understood can be tough for him, and can sometimes lead to challenging behavior. He requires assistance with nearly every aspect of daily living and 24-7 oversight to keep him safe.

Max is very active and always on the move, even though he has difficulty with balance and coordination. He loves walking, running, climbing and riding his therapy trike. Rain or shine, heatwave or snowstorm there is absolutely no place he would rather be than outdoors. 

Overall, Max is a happy and very social person. Throughout the years, he’s been in speech, physio, and occupational therapy. Progress comes very gradually but we can see he is not done learning. For example, after years of practice,  he’s achieved the feat of putting on his own shoes. He has even begun to sing in his own unique style. Music is his passion, and he thrives on any tune, often accompanying it with air guitar, air drums, or an air keyboard, depending on the vibe. With his boundless energy, Max brightens up a room with his infectious presence.