Community Spotlight: Jennifer Kelly
Jennifer Kelly took her son to a specialist because he was having behavior problems at school. But the doctor’s initial diagnosis didn’t seem right.
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People from all over the country are joining SPARK, and they want to share their stories. From anecdotes about registering for SPARK to accounts of how families dealt with diagnoses, SPARK community members are sharing their experiences with one another.
Meet some of our SPARK participants by exploring this section.
Three Reasons to Join SPARK: The Sando Family
The Sandos have three reasons for their commitment to autism research: Lizzie, Blake, and Teddy.
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Community Spotlight: Advocate Elaine Hamilton
Elaine Hamilton spent years helping families of children with disabilities. So when she was asked to publicize SPARK, she decided to go a step further.
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A Genetic Diagnosis Illuminates a Troublesome Symptom
After enrolling in SPARK, the Meiles learned that their son has a change in the POGZ gene. The diagnosis helps explain a mysterious health issue.
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The Fight for Tony: A Mother’s Quest to Unravel a Mystery and Push Autism Research Forward
Sandra Sermone refused to wait. She had seen her son Tony through heart surgery, a feeding tube, brain scans, countless blood tests, and medical appointments. This little boy who struggled to eat, talk, and play was getting worse. Sermone had three things: a telephone, a computer, and an inability to be discouraged. She would find an answer for what was happening to her child.
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Community Spotlight: Nataly Cuzcu
Nataly Cuzcu’s twin daughters were 11 months old when she first noticed that their development seemed to be moving backward.
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On the Edge of Autism
Caitlin and Chad Calder long suspected that their daughter Della had autism. But they didn’t get an official diagnosis until they learned she had a change in the ASXL3 gene.
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After 18 Years, a Genetic Diagnosis
Carrie is one of the first SPARK participants to get a genetic result. Her mother, Lynn, says everything has changed and nothing has changed.
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How Learning to Cook Can Help Teens With Autism
Daily living skills, such as cooking, shopping and managing money, are a strong predictor of independence. The good news: these skills can be taught.
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What Adults With Autism Would Like People to Know
In December 2017, we asked our Facebook followers to finish this sentence: “As an adult with autism, I would like people to know…” The comments were varied, like the people who answered them, but we spotted some themes.
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