When Alexa was diagnosed with Autism at 18 months, it was one of the scariest moments of my life. As a parent, hearing that word—Autism—felt like the ground beneath me shifted. Alexa, being my fourth child, made me very aware early on of things she wasn’t responding to—eye contact, interaction, and being dismissive. When she became non-verbal, the challenges became even more difficult. I struggled with the thought that my daughter might never speak. How would she communicate with me? How would I know her wants and needs? How could I tell if she was in pain or needed a hug and kiss?

Those were tough, uncertain times, but Alexa’s journey has shown me what strength and perseverance truly mean. Alexa was non-verbal until she was 8 years old. I prayed every day, hoping to hear "Mom," "Mama," or "Mommy," anything to know that she recognized me as her protector.

As parents of children with Autism, we often worry about how they will be treated by others. Will they be ignored? Will they be made fun of? Those are questions that keep us up at night. But I’ve learned that it truly takes a village—and I am incredibly thankful for mine. I have been blessed with a strong support system that has helped us along the way.

Autism is complex, and there are so many different levels, but one thing is clear: advocacy is everything. We are our children's voices. We fight for them, cheer them on, and help them make strides in life. "Progress, not perfection" has become my mantra. These children bring so much color to a world that can sometimes feel dim. They are extraordinary in their own unique ways, and they need to be acknowledged.

We will be walking for Alexa, and for all the children and adults on the spectrum. Every step is a step toward raising awareness, showing support, and embracing the beauty of neurodiversity.

Thank you  Yami, Alex, Matt, Sofia, Jordan & ALEXA