An estimated 1 in 31 children are autistic. My son, Harry, is one of those children. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral differences. People with autism interact with the world in unique ways, and the adage “if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism” is profoundly true. Autism presents differently in each person diagnosed, and there is no one size fits all treatment plan.
When Harry was first diagnosed at two, I felt equal parts relief and panic. Relief because we had a diagnosis we could anchor to and use to get support services, panic because I still felt ill-prepared to be a parent, period, never mind a parent to a child with special needs. Quickly, I found the most supportive community in Raising Harts, an amazing organization founded by Candice Hartford. Candice is a fellow Cohasset mom and has 9 year old Autistic twins. Raising Harts provides whole-family support and services to neurodiverse individuals and their families. I have received mentorship and guidance from parents who have been on this journey a long time, Harry and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, and, most importantly, it is a community where Harry is embraced and loved, exactly for who he is. Going to play group at the Raising Harts hub is Harry's favorite activity of the week, and I am so excited to watch Harry take on sailing and surfing this summer through adaptive programs sponsored and funded by Raising Harts.
When someone you love struggles, your anxiety know no bounds. As an autism parent, to have to grapple with the sobering facts that more than 35% of autistic children under the age of 8 have sucidial ideations, more than 60% of children and young adults with autism experience bullying, and approximately 40% of autistic adults are unemployed, the worry about your child being accepted, included, and accomodated can feel inordinately heavy. I wish I knew how to better support Harry, and mostly I wish I could take away his challenges. I know fellow caregivers feel similarly.
While we certainly have challenges, when I take a step back, I can also recognize how much Harry is growing and thriving. He has an amazing team of therapists and teachers, and the world's greatest nanny, who support him every day. That team would not exist without guidance, recommendations, and support from other Raising Harts parents. In addition to these individual supports, I take great comfort in knowing we are blessed with amazing community resources to support him. The Flutie Foundation and Raising Harts are creating awareness, acceptance and inclusion, and opportunities for today and tomorrow. Autism should be embraced, not feared, and autistic individuals should be seen for the amazing strengths they can bring to our society. Both of these amazing organizations are spreading that message in our communities through their impactful initiatives.
I have the privilege of seeing, on a daily basis, the impact the Flutie Foundation is making in our community. It is the sensory-friendly events our family attends in the community, it is the communication board they donated to our neighborhood playground that non-speaking children can use to communicate with their peers, it is the financial commitment to Raising Harts that helps enable our kids' and their families to have a safe space to learn and grow, and it is the direct financial support they provide to families that otherwise could not access certain resources and therapies.
Navigating autism is an emotional journey, and even though there are so many people on a similar path, it often feels isolating. No individual or family should have to do that alone. I am so grateful that we have found our village, and I am running to do my very small part to enhance awareness and raise critical funds to support and advance this special community. I am so appreciative of your support of our family and all the families whose lives are made more full by the Flutie Foundation and Raising Harts.
Like this race, our autism journey will be long. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive partner, family, friends, and employer and colleagues by my side each step of the way. There will be the highest highs and the inevitable lows, but being able to learn and grow alongside Harry will undoubtedly be my greatest privilege and joy.