In this edition of E-Speaks, we are honored to recognize
Mother's Day and the special women, both people and
mother-figures, in the autism community who have dedicated their lives
to helping their children and loved ones reach their full potential.
Meet four supermoms and their amazing children who share their unique
perspectives on diagnosis, intervention services, the transition to
adulthood and the importance of being a strong advocate for your
children. Gain access to Tool Kits and resources to help support the
entire family.

Proud mom shares an inspiring story of her 29-year-old son and their
journey on the spectrum

Meet De'Vante H. and his mom, Sheila. De'Vante was
diagnosed with autism in 1993 when he was just 18 months old. At the
time, information about autism was hard to come by and obtaining the
proper resources to help a newly diagnosed child was even more
difficult. It certainly hasn't been easy for Sheila and
De'Vante but every day is a new adventure for the inseparable mother-son duo: [link removed]


Tabitha's Mother's Day wish is that her 5-year-old
daughter, Wilder, can be "unapologetically herself" today
and every day

Wilder is a bright light full of energy, fun and love, according to
her adoring mom. Before her autism diagnosis at age 4, she was
diagnosed with intractable epilepsy, global developmental and speech
delays - all associated with a rare genetic mutation. The little girl
from Anchorage, Alaska has faced a lot of challenges in her young
life, but her resiliency and natural curiosity about the world makes
her mom more determined than ever to help create a kinder, more
inclusive world for her child and all people with disabilities: [link removed]

Paige and her mom Stephanie have learned and grown together

Paige M. experienced many challenges growing up autistic, but with the
love and support of her mom, Stephanie, and her family and friends,
she has blossomed into a funny, spunky 18-year-old with a deep love
for art, writing stories and expressing herself. Paige has grown leaps
and bounds over the last four years, and she has inspired her mom to
grow as well, helping her discover her passion for making a difference
in the lives of people on the spectrum and their families: [link removed]

A single mom shares her story of strength, love and perseverance
raising an autistic son

When Martha's son, Josh, was growing up, Martha faced many challenges finding him the services and supports he needed to overcome his speech delay and behavioral challenges. Now, at age 21, Josh has grown into a bright, empathetic and motivated young man who is in a committed relationship and is pursuing a career in IT. In this blog post, Martha reflects on his journey and the ways that raising a son with autism has impacted her life: [link removed]

Access the resources you need to support your child and your own
well-being

Raising an autistic child is extremely rewarding, but also comes with
significant challenges. If you are in need of guidance or support, the
Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (ART)
([link removed] )
is available by phone, email or chat to answer your questions and
provide personalized information and resources for you and your
family. You may also want to download our Parent's Guide to
Autism ([link removed] , a Tool Kit that offers information to navigate a new diagnosis,
build a support network and care for yourself and your child. If you
are struggling to find local providers, check out our Resource Guide ([link removed] ) to find autism services near you. Don't forget to check out My Autism Guide ([link removed] )
where you can sign up to receive relevant autism information,
resources and local events in one place - personalized to your
child's specific age, location and level of need.


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08540
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