The holiday season is a time to connect with family and friends, uphold cherished traditions and create new memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a chance to pause, reflect on years past and look ahead to the endless possibilities that come with a new year.

In this edition of E-Speaks, we’ll celebrate the holidays by sharing stories of community members across the spectrum and throughout the life span. You’ll read personal stories of triumph and challenge, tight-knit family bonds and selfless generosity from one donor that spans far and wide among our community. You’ll also reconnect with a dear friend of Autism Speaks and hear how her family continues to modify holiday traditions to best fit her needs. Lastly, you’ll read about the many ways Autism Speaks is serving our community and learn how our Autism Response Team helped more than 75,000 people in 2021 alone!

From our families to yours, have a happy, healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

In our own words: members of the autism community look back on 2021 and think forward to the new year ahead

In this blog, you’ll get to know Miyah, 40, Curtis, 31, Griffey, 11 and Hudson, 6. In their own words and through accounts from their families, we’ll revisit their lives in 2021, learn about their aspirations and goals for 2022 and get a glimpse into what the holidays and the new year means to them.

Celebrating Christmas with Scarlett D. 

When we last checked in with Scarlett, age 6, she was a spunky preschooler already defying expectations and conquering her communication challenges with the help of early intervention therapies. Now, two years later, she has transformed! Read about Scarlett’s growth and learn how she and her family are planning to celebrate the holidays with love and gratitude this year. 

Donor Spotlight: Meet Barry B. and his son, David

When his son was diagnosed with autism in the early 1970s, Barry had nowhere to turn for guidance. Almost five decades later, David, 51, still faces many challenges but is living semi-independently, in large part thanks to his father’s dedication to his personal growth and physical wellbeing. Read more about the family’s journey and Barry’s generous contribution to Autism Speaks life-enhancing research programs in this Donor Spotlight.

Learn how your support helped us make a difference 

Thanks to your generous support, Autism Speaks continues to make progress in creating a world in which all people on the autism spectrum can reach their full potential. In the last year alone, we launched the Autism Care Network to improve the quality of life of people with autism; developed My Autism Guide, a personalized information and resource portal; and created Workplace Inclusion Now™ (WIN), an employment program to support autistic job seekers. Learn more about our accomplishments and impact for the autism community. 

The Autism Response Team (ART) reflects on the year’s wins 

One of our top mission priorities at Autism Speaks is to connect autistic people and their families with reliable information and services throughout the life span. The Autism Response Team (ART) is essential to this work, offering direct assistance to our constituents by phone, email or chat. In 2021 alone, ART has helped more than 75,000 people—and the work doesn’t stop there. Learn how ART supports the autism community in this Q&A with ART Director Andrew Nelson.

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