Dear John,

I've worked with Autism Speaks in many roles over the past 17 years, but for more than three decades my most important title has been “Dad.”

My son Zak recently celebrated his 30th birthday. This milestone is especially significant because my son is on the spectrum. Research has found that the life expectancy of people with autism is dramatically lower than the national average.

This discrepancy is due to many compounding factors, which altogether point to the same troubling conclusion: Our nation’s health care system was not built for people with autism.

Autism Speaks is working to change that by ensuring the voices and experiences of people with autism are heard by lawmakers on Capitol Hill. You can help advocate for policies that protect the health and rights of people on the spectrum by making a MATCHED gift now.

Zak and I have experienced firsthand the barriers people with autism face when seeking essential health care. That’s why I was proud to join Autism Speaks in 2008 to advocate for policy solutions like the Autism CARES Act.

When Zak was diagnosed, I couldn’t get the answers I needed – not from the parent guides in the bookstore, nor from the professionals to whom my wife and I turned. Now, because of the Autism CARES Act, not only does that information exist, but tens of thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained to serve the autism community and countless health resources have been developed to support families like mine.

Through steadfast advocacy led by Autism Speaks, the Autism CARES Act of 2024 was recently signed into law with bipartisan support, promising a future where the most complicated healthcare needs can be addressed. But even more is possible. From increasing caregiver support, improving access to services across the lifespan, and addressing inadequacies in the mental health system, advocacy will provide for millions of autistic people—including Zak.

Autism Speaks’ ability to advocate for the health and rights of people with autism is only possible with the support of folks like you. That means the wins above are yours too. Together, we are making better care possible for people like Zak.

Today, I invite you to help make more wins like this possible in the new year with DOUBLE the impact. Make a generous MATCHED gift now to provide 200% support for policies that protect the health and rights of people with autism.

Thank you in advance for being a champion for the autism community.

Warmly,

Stuart Spielman, Zak’s Dad
Former Senior Vice President, Advocacy
Autism Speaks