"We support each other and work together to make things better for our children"...These are the words we use to describe the work of Families as Allies. I am reminded daily of the understanding, comfort and relief when one parent helps another parent in their same shoes. I am grateful that Stacey Spiehler, president-elect of Families as Allies, agreed to share her mom-thoughts about autism acceptance in this guest blog. 

This week I was also reminded of the transformative power when parents (and grandparents) come together in leadership roles. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to them describe the most recent leadership training they came together to facilitate. Their words say it all. We still have openings for our leadership training this Thursday and Friday if their words inspire you to follow in their footsteps.

There are so many ways families can help lead our system. We are encouraging families and anyone else interested to attend today's Special Education Advisory Panel. We have opportunities to work together to Flip the Script about children's mental health throughout the month of May.

We received two surveys for families and all others who are interested in making things better for our children to share with you:

1.) Survey from the National Federation of Families and Alkermes Global Pharmaceuticals about why families would or wouldn't consider enrolling their children in clinical trials.

2.) The SPARK team at The University of Mississippi Medical Center. SPARK is the largest study of individuals with autism and their families. The study aims to recruit 50,000 families to better understand the causes of autism and accelerate research to improve lives. The SPARK team is seeking direct feedback from providers, families and community members on potential reasons for minority underrepresentation in research studies like SPARK. We plan to use feedback to generate tangible strategies for reducing these disparities in research participation. You can take the survey here and will receive a $5 gift card for completing it.

Thank you to all of you who are part of or partner with Families as Allies. Working together for our children, we really can make a difference. 

- Joy

[top photo by Alberto Casetta via Unsplash]