Our Story .
A Message From Andrew
Let me introduce myself, I’ve been doing that a lot lately, even to people I’ve known my entire life. My name is Andrew and because I am autistic and have apraxia my speaking voice is unreliable and rarely truly represents what I’m really thinking. Talking isn’t the way that i am able to fully express myself, my voice is stuck talking repetitively about the same old topics, like self-care and healthy ingredients for smoothies. But there is so much more going on inside my mind than you would ever know if you judged my book by its cover.
Fortunately, in the last few years I have finally freed my true voice! I have learned to express all of the amazing thoughts, feelings, and ideas for my future, by typing one letter at a time on a keyboard. Now that is the most amazing feeling in the world when you can finally tell your parents how much their love and support has meant to you over the years! I was also finally able to share that I have a passion for design and am excited to learn more about interior design and possibly join my dad in the family business someday. But like most 23-year-olds, I am eager to explore my options, and because I can finally fully communicate, my options feel limitless!
I have many passions. Music has always given me an outlet for my emotions. But now, I am an actual creator of music myself. I wrote the lyrics to my first song, Rising Voices, and my good friend and musician Noah, helped me arrange and produce my first single. Being in the studio with other musicians who valued my input and helped me bring the song in my head into the world felt amazing, and I can’t wait to do it again! I am on a mission with my best friend Jakob to share the message that you cannot judge a book by its cover. There is so much more going on inside the minds of autistic people than we are able to share in typical ways. Access to communication changes everything! Just wait and see what we do next!
Love, Andrew
From Struggle to Innovation: How One Family’s Journey with Autism and Apraxia Sparked a Communication Breakthrough.
Andrew’s journey is one of profound resilience and transformation. Diagnosed with autism at 3 1/2, he faced an uphill battle from the start. His apparent vocabulary was almost nonexistent, he avoided eye contact, and he seemed isolated, existing in a world far removed from our own. We watched helplessly as he disconnected, staring off into space, responding neither to his name nor the environment around him. His days were filled with repetitive behaviors, known as “stimming,” and he didn’t engage with toys or peers.
As parents, we felt trapped by a lack of guidance and the scarcity of resources—experts offered conflicting advice, and research on autism was sparse. In our desperation, we took matters into our own hands, creating an immersive, child-centered play therapy at home. For seven years, we devoted ourselves to this therapy full-time, exploring every possible avenue: occupational therapy, speech therapy, neurological therapies, strict dietary protocols, and more.
Progress was painstakingly slow, and we faced overwhelming challenges, including sensory meltdowns and a constant struggle to connect with Andrew. Despite our efforts, school remained a daunting place for him; he needed a full-time aide, special needs classes, and a rigidly structured environment. Yet, just a few years ago, everything changed. We found a program that unlocked his voice, allowing him to communicate by spelling out his thoughts with a partner—a breakthrough that illuminated his intelligence, depth, and eloquence. For the first time, we truly met our son, experiencing his inner world and rich insights. While outwardly he may still appear limited, when he spells, he reveals a brilliant, articulate mind, bridging two very different versions of himself. This discovery has reshaped our understanding of Andrew, giving us a profound sense of connection and hope.
