“My mom needs help sometimes and I like to help her because she takes care of me. I always give her a kiss when she’s sad and a big hug because I love her.”

Meet Ira T., 28, and his mom, Lisa

November marks National Family Caregivers Month, shining a light on the commitment of families within the autism community. From navigating healthcare and education systems, to finding specialized support, these parents, grandparents, siblings and extended family members are making a difference every day. In this month’s Spectrum Spotlight, meet Lisa, a mom who took her son’s autism diagnosis as a call to action, dedicating herself to ensuring he would not be defined by it.

“I wish that people understood that while my son may be delayed in his development, he is still an adult and should be treated with the same level of respect, accountability and love as any typically developing adult,” she said. “Autism is a diagnosis, not an excuse.”

Her son, Ira, has embraced his diagnosis as a way to grow and advocate for others on the spectrum, becoming a voice of encouragement for his community. He’ll also be the first to tell you that he’s thankful to have his mom by his side every step along the way and does his best to show her just how much he appreciates everything she does.

“My mom always helps me with anything I need. She takes me to the Kinney Center every day. She picks me up and takes me to the store, folds my clothes and buys me what I need, especially at Target,” he said. “I always help my mom with stuff in the house and carry the groceries because they are heavy. My mom needs help sometimes and I like to help her because she takes care of me. I always give her a kiss when she’s sad and a big hug because I love her.”

Get more insight into their journey in this Q&A.

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