When my son was diagnosed with autism at age 4, I cried for days. I thought I had failed him. Some people even blamed me, saying I must have done something wrong. At the time, I didn’t know what autism truly meant — I just knew my world had changed forever.
What followed were years of therapy sessions, IEP meetings, and constant advocacy. Raising a child with autism means fighting for understanding in every corner of their life — school, health care, and even your own family.
My son’s early years in Harford County, Maryland, were some of the toughest. For two years, he was bullied relentlessly. One day, he was even attacked on the school bus while the driver did nothing. As his mother, I was furious, heartbroken, and afraid for his safety.
But giving up was never an option. Over time, I learned that my son didn’t need to be “fixed.” He needed to be supported and accepted for who he is. And as much as I advocated for him, he taught me just as much — about patience, resilience, and unconditional love.
“Autism is not a failure, nor is it a tragedy. The real failure is when society refuses to see the potential in every child.”
The turning points came slowly but powerfully. The day he graduated high school, I cried again — but this time, with pride. The boy who once struggled to communicate stood tall in his cap and gown. When he enrolled at Harford Community College, I saw a confidence in him that had taken years to build. And when he landed his first job at Popeyes, he couldn’t stop smiling. He was proud of himself, and I was proud beyond words.
As another parent, I — Anthony Tilghman — know that same feeling all too well. When my daughter Amari was diagnosed with autism, our journey also began with confusion and fear. I remember trying to make sense of how to support her unique needs while balancing life, work and everything in between. What I quickly discovered was that no amount of love could replace the need for access — access to proper evaluations, resources and educators who truly understood what inclusion means.
Our family’s journey became one of learning together. Amari showed me that autism is not a limitation but a different way of experiencing the world. She taught me to slow down, to listen differently, and to advocate louder — not only for her, but for every child like her.
Through my work in the community, I’ve met countless families facing the same challenges: navigating school systems that don’t always understand, fighting insurance denials, or simply trying to find a safe, welcoming environment for their child to learn and grow.
That’s why stories like ours — though different — are deeply connected. Whether it’s a son in Harford County or a daughter in Prince George’s County, the mission is the same: to ensure every child with autism has the support, dignity and opportunity they deserve.
“Every IEP meeting, every therapy session, every moment of advocacy can be the bridge to a better future.”
To parents just beginning this journey: Hold on. There is light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can’t see it yet. Keep people in your circle who love your child the way you do. The right support system — family, teachers, friends and advocates — makes all the difference.
To educators and policymakers: Please listen to families like ours. We don’t expect miracles; we expect empathy. Bullying, neglect and indifference can crush a child’s spirit. But when schools lead with understanding, when teachers receive proper training, and when government funding prioritizes inclusion, the results are transformational.
Autism is not a failure, nor is it a tragedy. The real failure is when society refuses to see the potential in every child. Our children are thinkers, artists, innovators and dreamers. They see patterns others miss. They remind us that there’s more than one way to learn, to connect, and to succeed.
As parents, we’ve seen both the heartbreak and the triumph — from tears in the principal’s office to smiles at graduation. What keeps us going is knowing that every milestone, no matter how small, is proof of possibility.
Twenty years after one diagnosis and more than a decade after another, we no longer see autism as something that defines limits. It defines strength — our children’s strength and ours too.
The future we want is simple: classrooms where difference is celebrated, communities that offer real inclusion, and public policies that treat neurodiversity as a strength, not a challenge to be managed. Together, we can build a Maryland — and a world — where every child on the spectrum has a fair shot at a full, meaningful life.
Wesyna Davis is a parent advocate from Harford County, Maryland, dedicated to supporting families navigating the autism journey. Anthony Tilghman is a community leader, photographer, and advocate for children with special needs in Prince George’s County. He is the founder of Make Smart Cool, Inc.