We Are Autism

10/19/2026

🇯🇲❤️ CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET FOR A GOOD CAUSE!❤️🇯🇲

**What you no longer need could be exactly what a family in Jamaica needs!**

We Are Autism is calling on our local community to help us fill our barrels of hope for Operation Hope Container 2026!

Do you have clothing, shoes, toys, or other items sitting around your home that you no longer use? Instead of letting them collect dust, give them a second life and help a family in need!

💚 **WE ARE COLLECTING:**
👕 New and gently used clothing (all sizes)
👟 New and gently used shoes
🧸 Toys and children's gifts
🎒 School supplies
📚 Books and educational materials
🧴 Toiletries and sanitary items
🥫 Non-perishable food
🛏️ Linens, towels, and household essentials in good condition

🎁 **DONATE & RECEIVE A PERSONALIZED TUMBLER!**

As a special thank-you for your generosity, we're offering a personalized We Are Autism tumbler to donors!

📅 **FINAL COLLECTION DATE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2026**

📍 **Westfield, Springfield, and surrounding Western Massachusetts communities.**

🚗 **LOCAL PICKUP CAN BE ARRANGED!**

📞 Call or text **413-777-4743** to coordinate your donation.

Your donations will help support children and families in Jamaica through our upcoming Health Fair and Community Fun Day.

❤️ **You don't have to spend money to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is opening your closet and opening your heart!**

Together, let's turn our unused items into hope for someone else.

**WE ARE AUTISM**
*Support • Educate • Thrive*

10/15/2026

🎉🎂💙 **Happy 7th Birthday to my precious Marcus!** 💙🎂🎉

Seven years ago today, God blessed me with a beautiful little boy who would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. 💙

Marcus, you are smart, loving, curious, funny, and wonderfully made. You have taught me so much about patience, unconditional love, strength, and seeing the world through a different lens.

Your journey may look different, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful. You continue to amaze me with all the things you know, the things you learn, and the joy you bring into my life.

My prayer is that God continues to protect you, guide your steps, and surround you with people who will love, understand, and celebrate you for exactly who you are.

**Never stop being YOU, Marcus!** The world is a better place because you're in it. 🌎💙

Happy 7th Birthday, my sweet boy! Mommy loves you more than words could ever express. 🥹💙🎈

💙

10/15/2026

📣 **FREE PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOP!** 💜💙

**When Behaviors Speak: Understanding the Why Behind Your Child’s Behavior**

Have you ever wondered what your child is trying to communicate through their behavior?

Join We Are Autism, in collaboration with UMass Amherst and Connect 2 Communicate**, for a FREE, in-person, two-part parent education series!

📅 **Session 1: October 27, 2026**
Understanding the Why

📅 **Session 2: November 3, 2026**
Turning Understanding Into Action

⏰ **Time:** 5:00 PM

📍 **Location:** Connect 2 Communicate
2 South Bridge Drive, Suite 1B
Agawam, MA 01001

Come learn how behavior can be a form of communication, recognize possible triggers, and explore practical strategies to support your child.

💜 Parents and caregivers are welcome!

🚨 SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

🔗 **Register here:** https://forms.gle/sV2xpN55a1YfXFWD8

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with families who may benefit!

💛 Together, we can learn, connect, and better support our children.

09/26/2026

📰💙 WE ARE AUTISM INC. IS IN THE NEWS!
What an incredible feeling to see We Are Autism Inc. and our mission recognized in The Westfield News!
We are incredibly grateful to Cultural Council for awarding We Are Autism Inc. a $2,500 Creative Experiences grant to support our 2027 Voices of the Spectrum program.
Voices of the Spectrum was created to give autistic children an opportunity to express themselves through art, music, movement, dance, performance, and other forms of creative expression, while creating a space where families can connect, feel supported, and belong.
What began as a vision continues to grow, and moments like this remind me why we started and why we must keep going.
Thank you to every family, community partner, supporter, volunteer, and person who continues to believe in We Are Autism Inc. and the work we are doing.
A special thank you to Westfield News for sharing our story and helping bring greater awareness to our mission and the families we serve. 💙
Support • Educate • Thrive
We are just getting started. 💙♾️

09/22/2026

🎉 Exciting News from We Are Autism!

We are honored to announce that We Are Autism Inc. has been awarded a $2,500 Creative Experiences grant from Mass Cultural Council to support our 2027 Voices of the Spectrum Art Exhibit!

Voices of the Spectrum will create an inclusive space where autistic individuals can express themselves in the ways that feel most natural to them — through art, music, dance, performance, and other forms of creative expression.

This experience is about giving autistic individuals opportunities to share their perspectives, showcase their talents, and have their creativity seen, heard, valued, and celebrated.

We are incredibly grateful to Mass Cultural Council for investing in this vision and in the autistic individuals, families, and communities we serve.

More information about the 2027 Voices of the Spectrum experience, including participation opportunities, date, and location, will be announced as planning continues.

💙 Support • Educate • Thrive

09/14/2026

09/08/2026

💙 I just had to share this.

A huge thank you to Ms. Patterson for putting together this beautiful video of me. She captured a few moments while I was speaking and took the time to incorporate pieces of my journey, including photos from the We Are Autism website and images from my children’s books.

I wasn’t expecting her to put all of this together, and seeing everything captured in one video really meant a lot to me.

Thank you, Ms. Patterson, for taking the time to create this and for doing such an amazing job. I truly appreciate it. 💙

Because No One Should Walk This Journey Alone.

09/08/2026

Just published! 🧡 Wondering what autism therapy actually means for your child? Speech, OT, ABA, feeding, sensory : the options can feel overwhelming. This new article breaks down each type of support in plain language, with questions every parent can ask a provider. Because the right support starts with understanding your child.

Read the full article:
https://www.we-are-autism.org/blog/autism-therapy-what-kind-of-support-does-my-child-need-91