{"id":129,"date":"2021-01-16T03:17:34","date_gmt":"2021-01-16T03:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autismwish.org\/staging\/?page_id=129"},"modified":"2024-08-21T10:17:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T14:17:12","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/autismwish.org\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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About Us<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Neurodiverse Family & Autistic Led<\/h1>

AutismWish and the Embracing Autism Podcast were created by the McCabe Family,\u00a0 born of the need to provide autistic families with support and parent resources across the United States.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lia McCabe, Founder & Host of the Embracing Autism Podcast, Autistic & ADHD Advocate<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Meet Lia:<\/b> Lia has a Master’s specialized in Human Factors Psychology and is an outspoken Autistic Advocate. She is certified in special needs Parent Training and mentorship.\u00a0 You can find her guest speaking at events such as the Autism Parenting Summit, the 1 in 44 Autism Tour and the 1 in 36 Mix.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We're the McCabes!<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Neurodivergent parents of two amazing autistic girls, Founders of AutismWish, and Hosts of the Embracing Autism Podcast<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Matt McCabe, Co-Founder & Co-Host of the Embracing Autism Podcast, Learning Disability Advocate<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Meet Matt:<\/b> Matt has a Master’s in Human Security and Resilience and is a Learning Disability Self-Advocate. He volunteers his summers teaching special needs kids archery at a therapeutic camp and has experience in mentoring troubled youths.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our story<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The McCabe Family<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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When our firstborn was just 20 months old, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and showed significant motor and communication delays. Almost a year later, our second child was diagnosed at 19 months old.\u00a0 As parents to autistic children, it quickly became apparent how very few resources are available for those on the spectrum and their families.\u00a0 We were shocked to discover just how much of a financial struggle it was to keep up with all the appointments and specialized equipment\/therapeutic items our child needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Although there were some available resources and financial support options, we could not find a program that helped families provide their autistic children with the simple yet effective toys and sensory items they needed.\u00a0 We decided to create AutismWish as a way to bridge the need between families of autistic children and the therapeutic\/sensory items they need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Shortly thereafter, we launched the Embracing Autism Podcast to provide parents and caregivers with tips and advice while sharing our personal story.\u00a0 While recording episodes, we realized it would be beneficial to have candid conversations with autistic adults and those in the autism community.\u00a0 Thus was born the Embracing Autism IRL video companion series.\u00a0 Through this series, and the many discussions that ensued, Lia began her journey of self-discovery and realized the commonalities she shared with the community.\u00a0 A few months later, Lia received her official autism diagnosis. This sparked a renewed passion in not only advocating for autistic children, but for the autistic community as a whole.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our Mission<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mission Statement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At AutismWish, we are dedicated to fostering a world where autistic individuals and their families thrive, embracing and celebrating neurodiversity. As a grassroots mom and pop charity initiative, our mission is to create a neuro-affirming environment that recognizes and values the unique strengths and abilities of every individual with autism while also acknowledging the challenges and reality of caregiver burnout.<\/span><\/p>

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We strive to empower families and individuals affected by autism by providing support, resources, and community connections. Through our initiatives, we aim to raise awareness, promote inclusivity, and challenge societal norms to build a more accepting and understanding community.<\/p>

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At the heart of our mission is the belief that neurodiversity is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. We work tirelessly to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and facilitate acceptance for those on the autism spectrum to participate within the community as their authentic selves. Together, with the support of our community, we envision a world where differences are celebrated, acceptance is universal, and everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.<\/p>

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Join us in our journey to promote neuroaffirming practices, advocate for inclusivity, and make a positive impact on the lives of autistic individuals and their families. Together, we can build a brighter future for neurodiverse communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Awards & Nominations<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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2024 NOMINEE<\/a><\/h3>

The 4th Annual Global Women of Choice Awards <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2023 NOMINATED ARTIST<\/a><\/h3>

The Autism Hero Awards<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our Partners<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"www.kindtheory.org\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"https:\/\/behavioralfoundation.org\/\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"https:\/\/exceptionalinstitute.org\/\"<\/figure><\/div>
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