Knowing Your Baby Has Autism, Before Everyone Else
Julia knew her daughter had autism by the time the girl was only 1. How could she be so sure?
Learn MoreTopic: SPARK family stories
Since 2016, hundreds of thousands of people throughout the U.S. have joined SPARK. Many have shared their autism and research journeys with us. These family stories are about everyday life, triumphs, challenges, and why finding answers through SPARK’s autism research is important.
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The Abstract, Cool World of Eliza
Eliza had an ADHD diagnosis growing up, but she knew there was more. In her 20s, she learned that she’s autistic. Why did it take so long?
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A Mother’s Push for Answers Leads to Autism Diagnoses
What do you do when you think your child might have autism, but others don’t? How one mother’s push for answers led to two diagnoses.
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The Struggle to Identify Autism in Girls: Sarah’s Story
Sarah had many classic signs of autism, but no one suspected it in the quiet girl who never made a fuss. Why did she have to wait until adulthood to get a diagnosis?
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Bobby Durbin Finds Community, Challenges Expectations
Bobby’s family included him in everything since childhood, helping others to understand his autism. Now 35, he’s a big part of his community.
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An Autism Diagnosis in Middle Age Answers Decades of Questions
LaVell Juricich spent almost six decades trying to fit in and wondering why she didn’t. When she was 58, she got the answer: she has autism. Now she hopes that research will help others on the spectrum to be who they are.
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An Autistic Pianist and the Quest to Communicate
Milosz Gasior may struggle to speak, but when he sits at the piano, he communicates effortlessly, in musical notes. Learn about the melodic world of this 20-year-old in SPARK.
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Parenting in a Pandemic: A Journey to Autism Diagnosis and Advocacy
In the early months of the pandemic, Marc and Cristina noticed that something was different about their baby. How would they find their way to an autism diagnosis and services?
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Neurodiversity: Mary Lipiec’s Journey
Mary Lipiec got a letter asking her to join an autism study called SPARK. But first, she had one question: Were they looking for a cure?
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Finding Answers for a Daughter’s Autism through Research
Heather Bensch knew her daughter was different since infancy. Twenty years later, SPARK told her it had discovered why.
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“Half My Childhood is Gone”: Growing up with Autism and Epilepsy
Seizures took away some of Abigail’s childhood memories. As a young adult, she discovered the reason for both her epilepsy and autism. Her journey to help others with similar conditions led her to two research studies.
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