Subject: Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Jack M.

From	Autism Speaks <[email protected]>
Subject	Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Jack M.
Date	February 8, 2024 6:27 PM

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View in browser [[link removed]
e7639b1648afa14a62c02d7aad1b/1/448/ccf4e216-83ad-4f36-a2b8-61c9bbb21789]
[[link removed]
ail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight]
"Autism is unpredictable, and I feel whatever course of treatment or route =
your journey takes you on, it is much easier to do as a unit. For those who=
don't have a supportive=E2=80=AFvillage to rely on, Autism Speaks and supp=
ort groups can be that."
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D04062=
4hse]
Meet Jack M.
=C2=A0
When their son, Jack, was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, Alison and he=
r husband, Ryan, knew they not only needed to rely on one another for moral=
support, but they would need a trusted source of information and a welcomi=
ng community to lean during this journey into unchartered territory.
=C2=A0
Because Jack, 2, is non-verbal and was diagnosed with level 3=C2=A0autism, =
the first-time parents knew they had to act quickly to ensure their son wou=
ld have access to vital intervention services and an overflowing database o=
f resources spanning diagnosis through adulthood. That=E2=80=99s why one of=
the first calls they made was to Autism Speaks=E2=80=99=C2=A0Autism Respon=
se Team [[link removed]
=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_=
content=3D040624hse].=C2=A0
=C2=A0
"Autism Speaks was the first resource we were given by Jack's neurologist a=
s a kind of crash course into the world we were about to dive into. They ma=
de a very layered diagnosis a lot more understandable. We immediately signe=
d up for the next Walk in our area so we could expand our network, meet oth=
er families and get as much information as possible. We don=E2=80=99t have =
any immediate family or friends who have autism in their lives, so the more=
connections we could make, we knew it would be beneficial to not only Jack=
, but to us as parents.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Alison says Jack, is a super happy boy who has always marched to the beat o=
f his own drum and uses happy flapping hands and big belly laughs to expres=
s himself. It was that lack of speech and his propensity to be on his own r=
ather than playing with others that made his parents initially seek out a d=
iagnosis.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99ll never forget the first time he took my hand to lead m=
e somewhere he wanted me to go because most of the time he prefers to play =
alone. It was difficult to adapt to at first, but we accept and respect his=
boundaries. We don=E2=80=99t give hugs or kisses unless he wants them, and=
we let him have his space when he needs it.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Today, Jack attends speech and occupational therapies and will soon be star=
ting applied behavior analysis (ABA), which gives the family hope that they=
will hear their little boy=E2=80=99s voice one day.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=E2=80=9CIf verbal speech isn=E2=80=99t in our future, we accept that. What=
ever milestones we pass, whenever we pass them, we will celebrate them.=E2=
=80=9D=C2=A0
=C2=A0
If you have a child who was recently diagnosed or are considering seeking a=
diagnosis for someone you love, Autism Speaks has got you covered.=C2=A0He=
re are some helpful resources and child-specific toolkits that will help gu=
ide you through the process and will make the road ahead much more manageab=
le:
=C2=A0
* Learn the Signs of Autism [[link removed]
source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotligh=
t&utm_content=3D040624hse]
* 100-Day Toolkit for School Age Children [[link removed]
l-kit/100-day-kit-school-age-children?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medi=
um=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D040624hse]
* A Parent=E2=80=99s Guide to Autism [[link removed]
/parents-guide-autism?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_c=
ampaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D040624hse]
Read more about Jack's autism journey through this Q&A with his mom: [https=
://www.autismspeaks.org/profile/meet-jack-m?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&ut=
m_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D040624hse]
In your experience, how important are early intervention services?=E2=80=AF=
=C2=A0
Very important! When we first got Jack evaluated, he was very young (around=
16 months). Some people told me it was too soon or that I should wait to s=
ee if he caught up to his peers and the delays disappeared. Call it a mothe=
r's intuition=E2=80=AFor just a gut feeling, but I felt that there was more=
going on, and I wanted him to get into interventional therapies=E2=80=AFas=
soon as possible while he was still so young and impressionable. I also kn=
ew therapists and those skilled=E2=80=AFin the areas where he needed help w=
ould be able to work on things that I couldn't with him and I did not want =
to delay him any further, so we jumped right in.=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D04062=
4hse]
Please describe some of the therapies and services Jack receives. How have =
those services positively impacted his life?=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
He currently gets speech therapy, occupational therapy and ABA. He will be =
starting=E2=80=AFphysical therapy as well for some increased mobility in hi=
s hips and to address a lot of the toe walking. Because he is at his sensor=
y gym about 5-6 hours a day, three times a week, I have noticed his sociali=
zation and eye contact have DRAMATICALLY improved at home. I think a lot of=
that has to do with the fact that he is with several other children that a=
re like him, and because he is the youngest at his gym, he is watching the =
older kids and learning how to communicate and interact with his surroundin=
gs and with us at home.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Each service that Jack receives at this facility required separate evaluati=
on and was followed by a recommendation of how many hours they suggested. T=
hen we had to go to our insurance company to see how much they would cover.=
We have a good plan through my job, so behavioral health and these service=
s are fully covered. Jack was recommended for 25 hours per week for ABA, du=
e to his evaluations indicating he needed intervention in all the major cat=
egories. But I wanted to start him off light and work our way up.=C2=A0=C2=
=A0
Why is it important for families of newly diagnosed children to have a sens=
e of community and a sense of understanding from others with similar experi=
ences?=C2=A0
Parenthood itself is wonderful, but oftentimes I think it can be an alienat=
ing experience. Your whole world is about this tiny human(s), and life befo=
re parenthood seems like a distant memory. Add on a diagnosis of autism or =
any disability, and you really can feel alone. Even if you don't take all t=
he advice that you see online, even if you don't connect with a support gro=
up right away, knowing they are out there is really comforting.=C2=A0=C2=A0
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D04062=
4hse]
How did you and your partner process Jack=E2=80=99s autism diagnosis as a c=
ouple? What were some of the biggest hurdles at that time?=C2=A0
Ryan is very accepting and a very positive person. You meet him and instant=
ly you feel lighter. He was what kept me grounded, because I was at the app=
ointment when we got the diagnosis, and when I called and told him, my heav=
iness lifted. He helped me start making calls that day and setting up evalu=
ations for therapy and appointments and doing whatever the neurologist told=
us to do. Before I started feeling sorry for Jack or going to a sad place =
in my head, his light attitude and reaction pulled me back, and we were abl=
e to move through the next several weeks as a family and start getting Jack=
the help he needed.=C2=A0=C2=A0
What advice would you give to other parents who have a child/children on th=
e=E2=80=AFspectrum?=C2=A0=C2=A0
As with most things in life, it is you two versus the problem, not you two =
versus each other. We were married in 2021 and had Jack in 2022, so we are =
learning everything on the fly. We stay on the same page when it comes to J=
ack and his treatment because without that united front, a complicated diag=
nosis like this can really put a strain on our relationship. We have talked=
about the possibility of Jack needing to be with us forever, or as Ryan ca=
lls it, "having a permanent best friend in our home." My advice is if you h=
ave a concern, a worry or a difference of opinion, talk about it. Autism is=
unpredictable and I feel whatever course of treatment or route your journe=
y takes you on, it is much easier to do as a unit. For those who don't have=
a supportive=E2=80=AFvillage to rely on, Autism Speaks and support groups =
can be that.=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D04062=
4hse]
What are your hopes for Jack=E2=80=99s future?=C2=A0
Happiness. I have let go of all of my expectations of what I imagined for m=
y child prior to having him. What matters is that my child is happy. Not th=
at he can talk. Not that he is on the honor roll. Not that he can get marri=
ed or have kids of his own. Not that he can land a good job. Not that he ca=
n live independently. Just happiness. With all the uncertainty and question=
s about what our lives will look like in 5, 10 or 20 years from now, I know=
for a fact we have a happy child right now and I hope for that to continue=
as he gets older.=C2=A0=C2=A0
Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud t=
o share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understa=
nding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
DONATE [[link removed]]
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Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
=C2=A9 2024=C2=A0Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design =
are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.=
=C2=A0
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t: 0; width: 0;'>In this edition of Spectrum Spotlights, you'll meet Jack a=
nd learn about his autism journey through a Q&A with his mom. =
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<a href=3D"[link removed]
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hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZW=
M0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyYzAyZ=
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Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21=
lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGlnaHQmX2NsZGVlPXdFbDNYcX=
FWdWpxamJ1X2Y3LU5NalY4eTAtVVdlcTZmZnEzcHlBWVVWeUtJVlJzaDNpTnhOX2htdVdSUmNKU=
TMmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC01=
YzYwMzM2MGM0YmE0NmE5OWFlYzQ3N2U4OTYzMTQzZCZlc2lkPWJkNzNhZTAyLTI2YzUtZWUxMS0=
5MTNlLTAwMTU1ZGNjMzRhYSJ9/_ZYfcXzpahUAsE02WGhP9g" target=3D"_blank" cdli=
nkrefid=3D"4" ><img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-95fd5fb234fb "=
height=3D"147" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"http=
s://file-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/newsletter-head=
er-spectrum-spotlights.png" alt=3D"Autism Speaks spectrum spotlight" /></=
a>
</td>
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</table>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"48" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-r=
ight: 0px; ; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:600px; max-width:600px; min-width:600p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"600px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 600px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"600" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"text-align:center=
;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-hei=
ght:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font=
-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><em><strong><span style=3D"font-size:1=
4px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">"</span></span></strong></=
em><em><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Op=
en Sans,Arial">Autism is unpredictable, and I feel whatever course of treat=
ment or route your journey takes you on, it is much easier to do as a unit.=
For those who don't have a supportive=E2=80=AFvillage to rely on, Autism S=
peaks and support groups can be that."</span></span></strong></em></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=3D"600" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZW=
M0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyYzAyZ=
DdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIzIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6=
Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtamFjay1tP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9Y2x=
pY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdG=
xpZ2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTA0MDYyNGhzZSZfY2xkZWU9d0VsM1hxcVZ1anFqYnVfZjctTk1qV=
jh5MC1VV2VxNmZmcTNweUFZVVZ5S0lWUnNoM2lOeE5faG11V1JSY0pRMyZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1j=
b250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTVjNjAzMzYwYzRiYTQ2YTk=
5YWVjNDc3ZTg5NjMxNDNkJmVzaWQ9YmQ3M2FlMDItMjZjNS1lZTExLTkxM2UtMDAxNTVkY2MzNG=
FhIn0/8zzst6f7mt-49_KyvH01FQ" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"7" ><img =
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-dfbfdfcf77f1 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"auto" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
mensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/jackandhisparentsattheirwedding.pn=
g" alt=3D"Jack and his parents at their wedding" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"49" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px">Meet Jack M.</span></strong></spa=
n></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When their =
son, Jack, was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, Alison and her husband, =
Ryan, knew they not only needed to rely on one another for moral support, b=
ut they would need a trusted source of information and a welcoming communit=
y to lean during this journey into unchartered territory.</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"50" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Because Jack, 2, is non-verbal and was di=
agnosed with level 3=C2=A0autism, the first-time parents knew they had to a=
ct quickly to ensure their son would have access to vital intervention serv=
ices and an overflowing database of resources spanning diagnosis through ad=
ulthood. That=E2=80=99s why one of the first calls they made was to Autism =
Speaks=E2=80=99=C2=A0<a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
ismspeaks.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb=
20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMz=
NjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZWM0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY=
0OGFmYTE0YTYyYzAyZDdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI0IiwidW4iOi=
IiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9hdXRpc20tcmVzcG9uc2UtdGVhb=
S1hcnQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2Ft=
cGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGlnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDQwNjI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT13RWw=
zWHFxVnVqcWpidV9mNy1OTWpWOHkwLVVXZXE2ZmZxM3B5QVlVVnlLSVZSc2gzaU54Tl9obXVXUl=
JjSlEzJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExN=
zQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZWM0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QmZXNpZD1iZDczYWUwMi0yNmM1LWVl=
MTEtOTEzZS0wMDE1NWRjYzM0YWEifQ/B0BBqFZM1YMJmplqN8iTGg" style=3D"color: #2e8=
6ef; text-decoration: underline;">Autism Response Team</a>.=C2=A0</span></s=
pan></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">=C2=A0</spa=
n></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">"Autism Spe=
aks was the first resource we were given by Jack's neurologist as a kind of=
crash course into the world we were about to dive into. They made a very l=
ayered diagnosis a lot more understandable. We immediately signed up for th=
e next Walk in our area so we could expand our network, meet other families=
and get as much information as possible. We don=E2=80=99t have any immedia=
te family or friends who have autism in their lives, so the more connection=
s we could make, we knew it would be beneficial to not only Jack, but to us=
as parents.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Alison says=
Jack, is a super happy boy who has always marched to the beat of his own d=
rum and uses happy flapping hands and big belly laughs to express himself. =
It was that lack of speech and his propensity to be on his own rather than =
playing with others that made his parents initially seek out a diagnosis.=
=C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">=E2=80=9CI=
=E2=80=99ll never forget the first time he took my hand to lead me somewher=
e he wanted me to go because most of the time he prefers to play alone. It =
was difficult to adapt to at first, but we accept and respect his boundarie=
s. We don=E2=80=99t give hugs or kisses unless he wants them, and we let hi=
m have his space when he needs it.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Today, Jack=
attends speech and occupational therapies and will soon be starting applie=
d behavior analysis (ABA), which gives the family hope that they will hear =
their little boy=E2=80=99s voice one day.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">=E2=80=9CIf=
verbal speech isn=E2=80=99t in our future, we accept that. Whatever milest=
ones we pass, whenever we pass them, we will celebrate them.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0=
</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">If you have=
a child who was recently diagnosed or are considering seeking a diagnosis =
for someone you love, Autism Speaks has got you covered.=C2=A0<strong>Here =
are some helpful resources and child-specific toolkits that will help guide=
you through the process and will make the road ahead much more manageable:=
</strong></span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<ul style=3D"color: #000000">
=09<li><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,=
Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImN=
vbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOT=
lhZWM0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyY=
zAyZDdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI1IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9zaWducy1hdXRpc20_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja2R=
pbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGlnaH=
QmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDQwNjI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT13RWwzWHFxVnVqcWpidV9mNy1OTWpWOHkwL=
VVXZXE2ZmZxM3B5QVlVVnlLSVZSc2gzaU54Tl9obXVXUlJjSlEzJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZWM=
0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QmZXNpZD1iZDczYWUwMi0yNmM1LWVlMTEtOTEzZS0wMDE1NWRjYzM0YWEifQ=
/w5oR9YHNsBUFPtIQ_x-4Lg" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underlin=
e;">Learn the Signs of Autism</a></span></span></li>
=09<li><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,=
Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImN=
vbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOT=
lhZWM0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyY=
zAyZDdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI2IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy90b29sLWtpdC8xMDAtZGF5LWtpdC1zY2hvb2wtYWd=
lLWNoaWxkcmVuP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9Y2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdX=
RtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdGxpZ2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTA0MDYyNGhzZSZfY2xkZ=
WU9d0VsM1hxcVZ1anFqYnVfZjctTk1qVjh5MC1VV2VxNmZmcTNweUFZVVZ5S0lWUnNoM2lOeE5f=
aG11V1JSY0pRMyZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg=
0OGFhMTc0LTVjNjAzMzYwYzRiYTQ2YTk5YWVjNDc3ZTg5NjMxNDNkJmVzaWQ9YmQ3M2FlMDItMj=
ZjNS1lZTExLTkxM2UtMDAxNTVkY2MzNGFhIn0/cIZiwZXniPrrFByLKKiLRA" style=3D"colo=
r: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">100-Day Toolkit for School Age Chi=
ldren</a></span></span></li>
=09<li><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,=
Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImN=
vbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOT=
lhZWM0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyY=
zAyZDdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI3IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy90b29sLWtpdC9wYXJlbnRzLWd1aWRlLWF1dGlzbT9=
1dG1fc291cmNlPWNsaWNrZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj=
1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWdodCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0wNDA2MjRoc2UmX2NsZGVlPXdFbDNYcXFWd=
WpxamJ1X2Y3LU5NalY4eTAtVVdlcTZmZnEzcHlBWVVWeUtJVlJzaDNpTnhOX2htdVdSUmNKUTMm=
cmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC01YzY=
wMzM2MGM0YmE0NmE5OWFlYzQ3N2U4OTYzMTQzZCZlc2lkPWJkNzNhZTAyLTI2YzUtZWUxMS05MT=
NlLTAwMTU1ZGNjMzRhYSJ9/yRMHN93DacN55WJhFgEcaQ" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; tex=
t-decoration: underline;">A Parent=E2=80=99s Guide to Autism</a></span></sp=
an></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
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</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"51" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><em><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px=
"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" =
href=3D"[link removed]
YWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI=
0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZWM0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLW=
IyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyYzAyZDdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmY=
WxzZSwidWkiOiI4IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9w=
cm9maWxlL21lZXQtamFjay1tP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9Y2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW0=
9ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdGxpZ2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTA0MDYyNG=
hzZSZfY2xkZWU9d0VsM1hxcVZ1anFqYnVfZjctTk1qVjh5MC1VV2VxNmZmcTNweUFZVVZ5S0lWU=
nNoM2lOeE5faG11V1JSY0pRMyZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4=
MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTVjNjAzMzYwYzRiYTQ2YTk5YWVjNDc3ZTg5NjMxNDNkJmVzaWQ9YmQ=
3M2FlMDItMjZjNS1lZTExLTkxM2UtMDAxNTVkY2MzNGFhIn0/wft_naCa9GSjlQruqELKjg" ta=
rget=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Read =
more about Jack's autism journey through this Q&A with his mom:</a></span><=
/span></strong></em></p>
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</td>
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</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"52" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">In your experience, how important=
are early intervention services?=E2=80=AF=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Very important! When we first got Jack ev=
aluated, he was very young (around 16 months). Some people told me it was t=
oo soon or that I should wait to see if he caught up to his peers and the d=
elays disappeared. Call it a mother's intuition=E2=80=AFor just a gut feeli=
ng, but I felt that there was more going on, and I wanted him to get into i=
nterventional therapies=E2=80=AFas soon as possible while he was still so y=
oung and impressionable. I also knew therapists and those skilled=E2=80=AFi=
n the areas where he needed help would be able to work on things that I cou=
ldn't with him and I did not want to delay him any further, so we jumped ri=
ght in.=E2=80=AF=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
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</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
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e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
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ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZW=
M0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyYzAyZ=
DdhYWQxYiIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxMCIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBz=
Oi8vd3d3LmF1dGlzbXNwZWFrcy5vcmcvcHJvZmlsZS9tZWV0LWphY2stbT91dG1fc291cmNlPWN=
saWNrZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3=
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5OWFlYzQ3N2U4OTYzMTQzZCZlc2lkPWJkNzNhZTAyLTI2YzUtZWUxMS05MTNlLTAwMTU1ZGNjMz=
RhYSJ9/Af9YJZr8ptXJY0MOJpY4yw" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"17" ><im=
g class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-d2222fd560ce no-img-edit" height=
=3D"292" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/jackandhismomallison04=
9c.jpeg" alt=3D"Jack and his mom Alison" /></a>
</td>
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</td>
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</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"53" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Please describe some of the thera=
pies and services Jack receives. How have those services positively impacte=
d his life?=E2=80=AF=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">He currently gets speech therapy, occupat=
ional therapy and ABA. He will be starting=E2=80=AFphysical therapy as well=
for some increased mobility in his hips and to address a lot of the toe wa=
lking. Because he is at his sensory gym about 5-6 hours a day, three times =
a week, I have noticed his socialization and eye contact have DRAMATICALLY =
improved at home. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that he is =
with several other children that are like him, and because he is the younge=
st at his gym, he is watching the older kids and learning how to communicat=
e and interact with his surroundings and with us at home.=C2=A0</span></spa=
n></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Each servic=
e that Jack receives at this facility required separate evaluation and was =
followed by a recommendation of how many hours they suggested. Then we had =
to go to our insurance company to see how much they would cover. We have a =
good plan through my job, so behavioral health and these services are fully=
covered. Jack was recommended for 25 hours per week for ABA, due to his ev=
aluations indicating he needed intervention in all the major categories. Bu=
t I wanted to start him off light and work our way up.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></=
span></p>
</td>
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</table>
</div>

</td>
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</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"54" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Why is it important for families =
of newly diagnosed children to have a sense of community and a sense of und=
erstanding from others with similar experiences?=C2=A0</span></span></stron=
g></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Parenthood itself is wonderful, but often=
times I think it can be an alienating experience. Your whole world is about=
this tiny human(s), and life before parenthood seems like a distant memory=
. Add on a diagnosis of autism or any disability, and you really can feel a=
lone. Even if you don't take all the advice that you see online, even if yo=
u don't connect with a support group right away, knowing they are out there=
is really comforting.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZW=
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5OWFlYzQ3N2U4OTYzMTQzZCZlc2lkPWJkNzNhZTAyLTI2YzUtZWUxMS05MTNlLTAwMTU1ZGNjMz=
RhYSJ9/naB0k1mj-1PGGtfeBa94Ug" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"25" ><im=
g class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-5d612ff4810a no-img-edit" height=
=3D"244" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/jackandhisdadinapool0a=
f5.png" alt=3D"Jack and his dad in a swimming pool" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
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</table>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"55" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">How did you and your partner proc=
ess Jack=E2=80=99s autism diagnosis as a couple? What were some of the bigg=
est hurdles at that time?=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Ryan is very accepting and a very positiv=
e person. You meet him and instantly you feel lighter. He was what kept me =
grounded, because I was at the appointment when we got the diagnosis, and w=
hen I called and told him, my heaviness lifted. He helped me start making c=
alls that day and setting up evaluations for therapy and appointments and d=
oing whatever the neurologist told us to do. Before I started feeling sorry=
for Jack or going to a sad place in my head, his light attitude and reacti=
on pulled me back, and we were able to move through the next several weeks =
as a family and start getting Jack the help he needed.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></=
span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"57" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What advice would you give to oth=
er parents who have a child/children on the=E2=80=AFspectrum?=C2=A0=C2=A0</=
span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">As with most things in life, it is you tw=
o versus the problem, not you two versus each other. We were married in 202=
1 and had Jack in 2022, so we are learning everything on the fly. We stay o=
n the same page when it comes to Jack and his treatment because without tha=
t united front, a complicated diagnosis like this can really put a strain o=
n our relationship. We have talked about the possibility of Jack needing to=
be with us forever, or as Ryan calls it, "having a permanent best friend i=
n our home." My advice is if you have a concern, a worry or a difference of=
opinion, talk about it. Autism is unpredictable and I feel whatever course=
of treatment or route your journey takes you on, it is much easier to do a=
s a unit. For those who don't have a supportive=E2=80=AFvillage to rely on,=
Autism Speaks and support groups can be that.=E2=80=AF=C2=A0</span></span>=
</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNWM2MDMzNjBjNGJhNDZhOTlhZW=
M0NzdlODk2MzE0M2QiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAzOS1lMzA0ZTc2MzliMTY0OGFmYTE0YTYyYzAyZ=
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Oi8vd3d3LmF1dGlzbXNwZWFrcy5vcmcvcHJvZmlsZS9tZWV0LWphY2stbT91dG1fc291cmNlPWN=
saWNrZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3=
RsaWdodCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0wNDA2MjRoc2UmX2NsZGVlPXdFbDNYcXFWdWpxamJ1X2Y3LU5Na=
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Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC01YzYwMzM2MGM0YmE0NmE=
5OWFlYzQ3N2U4OTYzMTQzZCZlc2lkPWJkNzNhZTAyLTI2YzUtZWUxMS05MTNlLTAwMTU1ZGNjMz=
RhYSJ9/pz0zDVLJ6nFujAKh3wJz4A" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"108" ><i=
mg class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-2fc9f62f26b1 no-img-edit" heigh=
t=3D"380" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
le-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/jackstandingonfrontpo=
rchwearingagreyshirt.png" alt=3D"Jack standing on front porch wearing a gr=
ey shirt" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
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</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"58" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are your hopes for Jack=E2=
=80=99s future?=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Happiness. I have let go of all of my exp=
ectations of what I imagined for my child prior to having him. What matters=
is that my child is happy. Not that he can talk. Not that he is on the hon=
or roll. Not that he can get married or have kids of his own. Not that he c=
an land a good job. Not that he can live independently. Just happiness. Wit=
h all the uncertainty and questions about what our lives will look like in =
5, 10 or 20 years from now, I know for a fact we have a happy child right n=
ow and I hope for that to continue as he gets older.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></sp=
an></p>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"59" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 16px; padding-=
right: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:568px; max-width:568px; min-width:568p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"568px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 568px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"568" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=3D"font-size:12px"><em>Each au=
tistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share=
their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding a=
nd acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span</em></span>=
</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"536" class=3D"button-block-container=
"
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: norm=
al;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;co=
lor:#000; word-wrap: break-word !important; white-space: normal;
padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding=
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<a class=3D"button-link" style=3D"display: block;" href=3D"[link removed]
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[[link removed]]
"Autism is unpredictable, and I feel whatever course of treatment or route your journey takes you on, it is much easier to do as a unit. For those who don't have a supportive village to rely on, Autism Speaks and support groups can be that."
[[link removed]]
Meet Jack M.

When their son, Jack, was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, Alison and her husband, Ryan, knew they not only needed to rely on one another for moral support, but they would need a trusted source of information and a welcoming community to lean during this journey into unchartered territory.

Because Jack, 2, is non-verbal and was diagnosed with level 3 autism, the first-time parents knew they had to act quickly to ensure their son would have access to vital intervention services and an overflowing database of resources spanning diagnosis through adulthood. That’s why one of the first calls they made was to Autism Speaks’ Autism Response Team [[link removed]].

"Autism Speaks was the first resource we were given by Jack's neurologist as a kind of crash course into the world we were about to dive into. They made a very layered diagnosis a lot more understandable. We immediately signed up for the next Walk in our area so we could expand our network, meet other families and get as much information as possible. We don’t have any immediate family or friends who have autism in their lives, so the more connections we could make, we knew it would be beneficial to not only Jack, but to us as parents.”

Alison says Jack, is a super happy boy who has always marched to the beat of his own drum and uses happy flapping hands and big belly laughs to express himself. It was that lack of speech and his propensity to be on his own rather than playing with others that made his parents initially seek out a diagnosis.

“I’ll never forget the first time he took my hand to lead me somewhere he wanted me to go because most of the time he prefers to play alone. It was difficult to adapt to at first, but we accept and respect his boundaries. We don’t give hugs or kisses unless he wants them, and we let him have his space when he needs it.”

Today, Jack attends speech and occupational therapies and will soon be starting applied behavior analysis (ABA), which gives the family hope that they will hear their little boy’s voice one day.

“If verbal speech isn’t in our future, we accept that. Whatever milestones we pass, whenever we pass them, we will celebrate them.”

If you have a child who was recently diagnosed or are considering seeking a diagnosis for someone you love, Autism Speaks has got you covered. Here are some helpful resources and child-specific toolkits that will help guide you through the process and will make the road ahead much more manageable:

* Learn the Signs of Autism [[link removed]]
* 100-Day Toolkit for School Age Children [[link removed]]
* A Parent’s Guide to Autism [[link removed]]
Read more about Jack's autism journey through this Q&A with his mom: [[link removed]]
In your experience, how important are early intervention services? 
Very important! When we first got Jack evaluated, he was very young (around 16 months). Some people told me it was too soon or that I should wait to see if he caught up to his peers and the delays disappeared. Call it a mother's intuition or just a gut feeling, but I felt that there was more going on, and I wanted him to get into interventional therapies as soon as possible while he was still so young and impressionable. I also knew therapists and those skilled in the areas where he needed help would be able to work on things that I couldn't with him and I did not want to delay him any further, so we jumped right in. 
[[link removed]]
Please describe some of the therapies and services Jack receives. How have those services positively impacted his life? 
He currently gets speech therapy, occupational therapy and ABA. He will be starting physical therapy as well for some increased mobility in his hips and to address a lot of the toe walking. Because he is at his sensory gym about 5-6 hours a day, three times a week, I have noticed his socialization and eye contact have DRAMATICALLY improved at home. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that he is with several other children that are like him, and because he is the youngest at his gym, he is watching the older kids and learning how to communicate and interact with his surroundings and with us at home.

Each service that Jack receives at this facility required separate evaluation and was followed by a recommendation of how many hours they suggested. Then we had to go to our insurance company to see how much they would cover. We have a good plan through my job, so behavioral health and these services are fully covered. Jack was recommended for 25 hours per week for ABA, due to his evaluations indicating he needed intervention in all the major categories. But I wanted to start him off light and work our way up.
Why is it important for families of newly diagnosed children to have a sense of community and a sense of understanding from others with similar experiences?
Parenthood itself is wonderful, but oftentimes I think it can be an alienating experience. Your whole world is about this tiny human(s), and life before parenthood seems like a distant memory. Add on a diagnosis of autism or any disability, and you really can feel alone. Even if you don't take all the advice that you see online, even if you don't connect with a support group right away, knowing they are out there is really comforting.
[[link removed]]
How did you and your partner process Jack’s autism diagnosis as a couple? What were some of the biggest hurdles at that time?
Ryan is very accepting and a very positive person. You meet him and instantly you feel lighter. He was what kept me grounded, because I was at the appointment when we got the diagnosis, and when I called and told him, my heaviness lifted. He helped me start making calls that day and setting up evaluations for therapy and appointments and doing whatever the neurologist told us to do. Before I started feeling sorry for Jack or going to a sad place in my head, his light attitude and reaction pulled me back, and we were able to move through the next several weeks as a family and start getting Jack the help he needed.
What advice would you give to other parents who have a child/children on the spectrum?
As with most things in life, it is you two versus the problem, not you two versus each other. We were married in 2021 and had Jack in 2022, so we are learning everything on the fly. We stay on the same page when it comes to Jack and his treatment because without that united front, a complicated diagnosis like this can really put a strain on our relationship. We have talked about the possibility of Jack needing to be with us forever, or as Ryan calls it, "having a permanent best friend in our home." My advice is if you have a concern, a worry or a difference of opinion, talk about it. Autism is unpredictable and I feel whatever course of treatment or route your journey takes you on, it is much easier to do as a unit. For those who don't have a supportive village to rely on, Autism Speaks and support groups can be that. 
[[link removed]]
What are your hopes for Jack’s future?
Happiness. I have let go of all of my expectations of what I imagined for my child prior to having him. What matters is that my child is happy. Not that he can talk. Not that he is on the honor roll. Not that he can get married or have kids of his own. Not that he can land a good job. Not that he can live independently. Just happiness. With all the uncertainty and questions about what our lives will look like in 5, 10 or 20 years from now, I know for a fact we have a happy child right now and I hope for that to continue as he gets older.
Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
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Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
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