Isolation.
It’s a word we hear all too often from families of children with autism. They often face significant barriers to participating in the traditions and activities that many take for granted. For many of the families we support, this story could feel all too familiar.
Today, we're sharing the story of one family's trials and triumphs - a celebration of the meaningful impact our services can have and a source of hope for other autism families.
When we first met this family, their tween son struggled not only to tolerate gatherings but also engaged in unsafe behaviors that restricted their ability to go anywhere beyond home and school. The family prioritized regaining access to their community, and together, we created a plan to make it happen.
By 2024, we were celebrating some incredible milestones with them!
This past summer, they embarked on a long-awaited family vacation out of state. Then, during Christmas, they attended a large family gathering and stayed for an impressive six hours-something that had once seemed out of reach. Remarkably, it wasn’t their son’s behavior but his siblings who eventually prompted the family to leave. His parents shared their joy at being able to spend the entire time reconnecting with out-of-town relatives. Even more exciting, their son participated in a large family game—taking one turn, a small but significant step forward for him.
This family’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with determination, collaboration, and hope.