Halen Lansdown, 10, of Macon, Mo., was diagnosed with high functioning autism seven years ago. This diagnosis dramatically altered her the life of her mother, Tammy Landsdown. “It felt like a death,” she said. However, Tammy wants to give her the same opportunities as her other children.

Tammy comes from a family where no one has completed high school, and it’s her goal for all her children, including Halen, to finish high school and go to college.

Halen had attended public school in Kansas City, Kan., where the school system had resources to address her developmental needs, until she moved with her mother, her dad and her two brothers to Missouri two months ago. After a brief attempt of attending public school in Macon, Halen was pulled from classes. She is now taught at home by her mother, who is confident that Halen is thriving in her new home-school environment. Since taking over her education, Tammy is certain that Halen is less anxious, happier and more open to the world.

Tammy admits that she spoils her daughter. “I’ve instilled in her that she’s a princess,” she said. Tammy is determined to do almost anything to help her daughter succeed in life. Her hope is that Halen will be able to re-enter regular school in a couple years, even saying that she will “sit by her in college,” if that’s what it takes.