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Welcome to Spectrum Spotlights! Each month, we'll introduce you to people with autism and within the autism community. We hope you enjoy their stories.
Meet Scarlett and Chase
Inspired by the vast and diverse autism community, our new Brighter Life on the Spectrum campaign features stories of people with autism across the spectrum and throughout the life span.
In this edition of Spectrum Spotlights, you’ll meet two stars of the campaign, each with unique strengths and challenges as a result of their autism: Scarlett, 4, and Chase, 20. While each has their own story to share with the world, both share the common bond of having rock-solid support systems in their families and confident, spirited personalities which allow them to persevere through anything life throws their way.
Learn more about Scarlett and Chase in this special double edition of Spectrum Spotlights.
An autism diagnosis can be overwhelming. But with early intervention, there are no limits to what can be achieved. Scarlett is living proof of that.
She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 17 months old. This early diagnosis allowed her access to the vital services and resources that would not only empower her to reach, but easily surpass, all expectations. It was also her parents’ unwillingness to accept any limitations for their daughter that has helped her to overcome every obstacle that’s come her way.
Today, thanks to daily sessions of physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as a dedicated team of teachers, therapists and aides, this spunky 4-year-old is leaps and bounds ahead of where her parents were told to expect her to be shortly after her diagnosis. Her mom, Caitee, recalled one of the lowest points of her daughter’s journey.
“We were recommended a developmental pediatrician, who many families we know had used. We were in there for 20 minutes before being told ‘not to bother with the hearing tests because she’s never going to talk.’ Right to our faces we were told: ‘If she’s not talking by now, I wouldn’t count on it.’ This doctor made us feel as if our beautiful, perfect, amazing little girl would never be able to do anything.”
“Fast forward to 2019 - she doesn’t stop talking! She is in her second year of Pre-K. She knows her ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes- you name it - she knows it. If there is ever a thought that Scarlett cannot or will not achieve something, she immediately proves everyone wrong. She is a fighter in every sense of the word.”
Learn more about Scarlett’s journey through the words of her mom, Caitee.
 Tell us about some of the things Scarlett struggles with because of her autism, and please share some of the areas where she excels.
Scarlett’s struggles can vary. She has many sensory issues. Feeding and different food textures are very scary to Scarlett, so she goes to feeding therapy twice a week to work on that. She has moments where large crowds overwhelm her, and sometimes she has a hard time communicating her wants and needs. But she is showing so much progress in these areas. She loves animals and numbers and letters. She’s starting to read words. There is no limit to what Scarlett can do!
In your experience, what has life been like as a mom with a child on the spectrum?
Life as a mom with a child on the spectrum has humbled me. It has made me more aware, more patient and has pushed me to limits I didn’t know existed. It has brought me to my knees praying that I will live forever to be able to ensure Scarlett is always taken care of properly and shown the same amount of love I show her every day. We have good days and we have bad. There are days where I want to cry locked in the bathroom because a meltdown has lasted two hours or more. It has made me a fighter. I push for the absolute best services, the best providers. I make sure Scarlett gets the best of the best. It has made me an advocate for my child. It has made me her voice.
How important is early intervention?
Early Intervention is SO IMPORTANT on so many levels. In my opinion, getting Scarlett the help she needed, as early as we did, changed everything. It made every word that doctor said irrelevant. It proved them wrong and helped Scarlett become the amazing, thriving, smart girl that she is.
What was it like seeing Scarlett star in a national television ad campaign for Autism Speaks?
It was truly surreal. I’ve always thought that Scarlett would be someone who changed the world, showed people that it’s ok to be different. And being picked to be a part of a national ad campaign, it just proves my thoughts to be true. She is breaking a stigma. She is changing people’s thoughts and minds and does it all by just being herself. I’m just so proud!
What are five words that best describe your daughter, Scarlett?
Inspiring. Courageous. Smart. Strong-willed. Amazing. She’s my hero.
Chase, 20, is a person of many interests and unique talents. He’s the author and illustrator of “The Letter Critters” book series, in which he shares his passion for letters to help children learn to read, is a member of the National Honor Society, a Special Olympics Global Messenger and gold medalist and the 2019 recipient of the Connecticut Arts Hero Award. He also has autism.
Chase was diagnosed when he was 3 ½ years old, but his mom, Helen, recalls having a suspicion that her son was different even before his diagnosis. Even though it was obvious that Chase was very intelligent, his lack of social skills and tendency to repeat certain behaviors was enough to have her and her husband, Alan, seek professional guidance.
“We knew nothing about autism at that time,” says Helen. “From many conversations with Chase's special education pre-school teacher about his lack of progression and tendency to demonstrate different behaviors from the other kids, we began thinking more about it. She said she didn’t believe Chase had an intellectual disability, but she mentioned the word autism and suggested we get him evaluated. This wonderful teacher’s advice truly saved us because it gave us the tools to help our son because we finally had a diagnosis. She is one of Chase’s angels.”
At the time, finding resources and information about autism was difficult, but Helen and Alan made it their job to advocate for their son and to get him the support he needed. They quickly enrolled Chase in his pre-school’s autism-centric special education program, where he would receive applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and other critical services. Thanks to his parents’ relentless advocacy, Chase received every available resource, including Extended School Year (ESY) services every summer until he graduated high school. They also made it a point to ensure their son would have the opportunity to participate in enjoyable activities like therapeutic horseback riding, gymnastics and art class.
With a team of supporters like his family, teachers and behavioral therapists, Chase has come a long way since being diagnosed as a toddler. Even though his personality is one of few words, Chase has many unique ways of expressing himself. Whether it’s through the creative characters in his books, one of his ear-to-ear smiles or a concise verbal response, you always know where you stand with Chase according to his mom.
“Chase makes us so proud every day! He has a pure spirit of innocence, honesty and sweetness. He is such a unique person and lovable young man. He is also willing to take on challenges and allows us to bring him out of his comfort zone and into the world.”
Read to learn more about Chase through his own words.
 What does being on the autism spectrum mean to you?
Being on a spectrum means I do and see things differently from others.
What struggles have you faced because of your autism? In what areas has your autism helped you excel?
I have faced struggles like talking to other people in conversations, being part of a group and focusing on work. My autism helped me excel by making me very imaginative and creative.
Why is it important to people on the spectrum to advocate for themselves?
It's important for people on a spectrum to advocate for themselves because it will help them be social and tell people who they are and help others to understand us.
What was it like being on set and starring in a national TV ad for Autism Speaks?
I really liked the people there and liked having the chance to work with them. It really felt like I was at a real job interview. It was a great honor to have this opportunity. I’m excited to see the final product when it airs on television.
If you had one sentence to describe the the world, who Chase is, what would that sentence read?
I am unique, kindhearted, creative, smart and special.
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