Recently, we brought on a new (amazing) part-time staff member, Amy Correia, as well as an intern from Benton Hall Academy, Michael Sarmento.. 

New people in the office are wonderful because they allow us to reevaluate what we are doing and why. New people bring new ideas, insight, and inspiration. 

As we hashed out all the logistics for 14 different upcoming events during a staff meeting, and discussed new policy issues around ABA and FMLA, our new staff member stopped us in our tracks. 

She has been working on our HELPline, helping families with issues on the individual level. As she sat in the meeting she was blown away by the work we are doing at every level to enrich the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. While she heard about the individual struggles over her first two weeks, now she was hearing about the community partnerships, community education, family fun events, teen groups, adult social clubs, trainings, consulting projects, legislative and policy efforts, and more. 

As she reflected on the amazing work we do, I was re-energized. I was reminded how every single day the team at Autism TN makes a big difference.   

I hope you will all join us for the Autism Awareness Pajama Walk, September 28th, so we can celebrate what autism can do. 

See you there!