Hello Friends,

This summer, I stepped outside of my comfort zone.

If you know me, you know that nearly everything I do revolves around Autism, my son, the families we serve, and making our community more supportive and accessible. But recently, I volunteered to help with the Simply Slavic Heritage Festival, something completely outside of the Autism world. I also brought my 16-year-old son along to volunteer.

For the first time, I left him in an area completely separate from where I was volunteering. As parents of Autistic children, especially as they become teenagers and young adults, letting go of even a little control isn't easy. We spend years advocating, planning, preparing, and protecting. Trusting the process can feel overwhelming.

At the end of the shift, he definitely surprised me. He stood a little taller. He was proud of the work he had done. I saw a confidence in him that only comes from being trusted, contributing, and succeeding on his own.

That experience reminded me of something Temple Grandin has said for years: "Give them a job. An autistic person needs to have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills." Those simple words carry so much meaning. Our children have interests, talents, and abilities that deserve to be recognized and nurtured. We need to spend more time focusing on what they can do, rather than what they cannot.

That's exactly why I'm so excited about our upcoming Career Exploration Camp F.R.I.E.N.D. 

The camp was created to give transition-age Autistic youth and young adults opportunities to explore careers, build workplace skills, connect with community partners, and discover new possibilities for their future. With approximately 1 in 31 children identified as Autistic and many Autistic adults experiencing high rates of unemployment or underemployment, programs like Career Exploration Camp F.R.I.E.N.D. are an important bridge between school and adulthood. This camp helps participants explore possibilities, build connections, and prepare for meaningful futures. Sometimes, all it takes is one experience, one mentor, or one person believing in them to unlock confidence that they didn't know they had.



As parents and caregivers, there are moments when we have to take a deep breath, let go just a little, and give our children the opportunity to surprise us. It isn't always easy, but sometimes that's where the greatest growth happens for them and for us.

As we look ahead, the excitement continues! The rest of the summer and into the fall are filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate. From Career Exploration Camp F.R.I.E.N.D. and Family Night Swim to our Teacher Mini-Grants Program, Social Connections, and the return of Oktoberfest Youngstown this September, there is something for every member of our community. I hope you'll join us as we continue building connections and creating opportunities together. 

Thank you for allowing the Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley to be part of your journey. We are honored to walk beside you every step of the way.

Warmly,