Hello, my name is Kyle Achu and I'm a high school senior on the Autism Spectrum. I was diagnosed at age 3 and I didn't speak until I was 5 years old. Thanks to years of therapy, supportive teachers, services, and most especially my family, I found my voice and now preparing to graduate high school and head off to college.

I know how much these resources changed my life and I want to give back to help others. Many children and families still struggle to access therapies, services, and opportunities that can make all the difference.

Today, over 70 million children and adults are affected by autism. Each of them, have unique strengths, challenges and potential. Autism Speaks will be there for them. You and I can be too.

It?s only through the dedicated support of people like us that Autism Speaks can continue their vital mission work. Each year, the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team makes direct contact with tens of thousands of individuals looking for advice or guidance and more than one million people access their free nationwide autism services and resources. They continue to partner and support research to improve the lives of people with autism by investing in science that will allow more personalized treatments and therapies. You can find out even more about where your fundraising dollars go at autismspeaks.org/our-work.

Please join me by donating to help me reach my fundraising goal. No donation is too small. Together, we have the power to enhance the lives of people with autism and make a meaningful difference. Thank you so much for supporting this cause that is closer to my heart!