Sydney Edmond describes how using a letterboard changed her life, how being able to communicate her wishes and dreams opened up the world.

We all had trouble with the disruptions caused by the pandemic. We know that many children—neurotypical children included—regressed academically and socially; we know that many teens and adults experienced negative changes to their mental health. Even with all that, there have been upsides, and we are now at a place where we can make things better moving forward.

David Petrovic is an autistic teacher, author, and motivational speaker. As his mother, I have witnessed and shared in much of his journey to pursue his dreams. Together we have interacted with countless people through our writings and presentations. And our website has been central to our mission.

I've always wondered about the term “Autism Awareness.” To me, it's about more than understanding autism. Instead, we should share awareness that autistic individuals are people, just like anyone else. They are unique in their brain processes, but they deserve the same rights, treatment, and quality of life as others. Although schools promote “best practices” and quality education, are they really addressing the needs of the individual?