"My son was about two when we started realizing things were particularly hard with him. He didn’t like long-sleeves or tags or most foods or loud noises, or, or, or..."

Every act throughout the day was a fight from brushing teeth to going to bed. Every article of clothing and bath was a wrestling match. The list goes on and on. I tried everything I could to help him—to help all of us. But the advice was overwhelming, confusing, conflicting and debilitating.

Get him evaluated.
Don’t get him evaluated.
He’s on the autism spectrum.
He’s definitely not on the spectrum.
He needs speech therapy.
He needs feeding therapy.
He needs occupational therapy.
He needs to be gluten free.
He needs prayer.
He needs ABA.
He needs a trampoline.
He needs…

I tried everything and nothing seemed to be enough. Enough for what? I don’t even know. I just knew life was hard and I wanted to crawl in the fetal position from pure exhaustion. I have two other kids I needed to take care of, and somewhere in the mix I needed to deal with my own fears about what was going on.

When my son didn’t get into his brother’s school for Kindergarten, we looked into a specialized school in Brentwood. This school required a psychoeducational evaluation for admission. I finally had to face what had been haunting me for three years—the thing I swore I’d never do.

In April 2023, my son was diagnosed with Autism. In October of that same year, he was diagnosed with ADHD. In January, my other son was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, phobias and dysgraphia. And in January 2024, I was diagnosed with ADHD.

The way I have changed as a person and parent through this process is something even I can’t believe. I went from being anti-evaluations, in denial and scared out of my mind to being pro-evaluations and starting an organization to help other parents who are struggling like I was.

I’ll be the first to tell you that I am not a doctor, therapist or education expert. But I am a mom that has walked this road first hand, and I'm still walking it. And with the help of incredible doctors, therapists and educators, I can tell you  there is hope. My son who had the most challenges years ago is thriving in every possible way—from getting leadership awards at school, to outstanding grades in academics to even, get this, leading in our home.

1. Hope: We believe the best is yet to come.

2. Celebration: We celebrate progress every step of the way—and we celebrate every win, big or small. 

3. Community: You are not alone and you don’t have to figure this out on your own. There are other parents who have been through this and can walk with you.

4. Empathy: You will find understanding and connection with other families with similar stories. You will feel seen, known and understood. Your feelings are valid and you are welcome here as you are.

5. Education: We share the latest research, information, strategies and tools that support families to have real-life solutions for their real-life challenges.

6. Awareness: We bring awareness to issues that need change through marketing, media and partnerships.

7. Acceptance: We believe  every child is created perfectly unique. They are not a problem to be fixed, but a person to be supported for growth and celebrated for their strengths.