“You are not alone. There is support out there, and your child is capable of more than you may even imagine. The unknown can feel overwhelming at first, but with clarity and understanding, you will be able to do what it takes to give your child the tools they need to succeed and reach their full potential.”
Molly L., Parent
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
Thank you to Molly and Jay for allowing us to share your powerful family story with us.
DH: Let’s begin with you sharing a little about your family and your son.
Molly: We are a loving and active family. Our son is almost five, and he has a younger brother who is almost three. We also have two cats and several glow-fish, which he absolutely loves. He is such a big part of the energy in our home and brings so much personality and joy to our family.
DH: What are some of your child’s favorite activities, toys, or moments that bring them joy?
ML: He loves his Legos, Music, iPad, puzzles, and problem-solving games, especially anything involving numbers or figuring out how things work. He is fascinated by doors—anything with doors that open and close will keep him
engaged for a long time.
He loves being active and running around, climbing, playing on the playground, and being silly. He often creates imaginative games around the house and is constantly exploring. He’s incredibly inquisitive and loves learning about how things work—plumbing, electricity, utilities—really anything he can build, take apart, or understand. He is happiest when he has the freedom to fully be himself, explore, and play.
DH: How would you describe your child’s personality?
ML: Our son is very loving, silly, and funny, he loves to joke around and make people laugh. He is incredibly curious about the world and always wants to understand what things are and how they work. His curiosity and joy really shine through in everything he does.
Early Journey & Diagnosis 
DH: When did you first begin to notice that your child might need additional support?
ML: We started asking questions around his 12–16-month wellness visits because he didn’t have words yet and wasn’t hitting some language and social milestones. At the time, we were told he might grow out of it and to wait until he was two.
We followed up with hearing tests to rule anything out, and everything came back normal. As time went on, we continued to trust our instincts and reached out to Jawonio Early Intervention when he was about 20 months old to have him evaluated.
DH: What was your experience like receiving an autism diagnosis for your child?
ML: Our son was diagnosed about three months before his fourth birthday. For me, the feeling was more relief than anything else. It had been such a long journey trying to understand his needs, and the diagnosis finally gave us clarity and direction.
He was already receiving many of the same services he would have been getting with a diagnosis, and Jawonio had already done such an incredible job identifying and supporting his needs. They even coordinated with a developmental pediatrician who came in, evaluated him, and helped us receive a formal diagnosis. That process not only gave us clarity but also helped us better understand him; how he thinks, how he experiences the world, and what he needs to continue to grow and thrive.
Finding Support
DH: How did you first learn about Jawonio and the Katzen Preschool?
ML: I grew up in Rockland County and always knew Jawonio to be the gold standard for special education services. Through CPSE, our son was offered placements at a few different programs, but Jawonio was our first choice.
DH: What made you decide that Jawonio Early Childhood Education Services was the right fit for your child and family?
ML: The program’s integrated approach with teachers and therapists working together—really stood out to us. It felt like a place where he would truly be supported, understood, and given the tools to succeed.
DH: What were your hopes and concerns when your child first started?
ML: We hoped he would communicate more, become more comfortable and regulated with his sensory needs, and make progress with some of his behaviors, while feeling supported and safe. Like any parent, we also had concerns about how he would adjust and whether he would truly thrive in a new environment.
Experience in our Early Childhood Programs
DH: How has your child grown since joining Katzen Preschool?
ML: The growth we’ve seen has been incredible. He has made meaningful progress in his communication and conversational skills, and we’ve seen a big improvement in his ability to engage socially.
He has also become much more comfortable navigating his sensory needs, which has made a huge difference in his day-to-day experiences. Overall, he is more confident, more engaged, and better able to express himself.
DH: Can you share a moment or milestone that really stood out to you?
ML: One of the most meaningful changes has been seeing him communicate more intentionally and connect with others in ways he hadn’t before. Moments that may seem small to others like expressing a need, engaging in play, or responding more clearly have been huge milestones for us.
DH: How do the teachers, therapists, and staff support your child’s development?
ML: The teachers, therapists, and staff are incredibly patient, attentive, and truly invested in each child. They work together as a team and take the time to understand his individual needs, strengths, and personality. Their consistency, communication, and genuine care have made such a difference in his progress.
Partnership with Jawonio
DH: What does it mean to you to partner with Jawonio?
ML: We feel incredibly lucky. It truly means everything to us. We feel like we are part of a team that genuinely cares about our child’s success and is invested in helping him reach his full potential.
DH: How does Jawonio involve and support your whole family, not just your child?
ML: They provide guidance, consistent communication, and reassurance that supports us as parents as well. It’s not just about our child, they make sure we feel supported and informed every step of the way.
DH: As parents, in what ways have you felt heard, understood, and supported by the team?
ML: We are always kept in the loop about everything. The teachers, therapists, and social worker are always available if we have questions, concerns, or simply need a listening ear. Their accessibility and willingness to support us truly mean so much.
Parenting & Perspective
DH: How has your perspective on parenting changed since your child’s diagnosis?
ML: It has taught us patience, perspective, and to celebrate every milestone big or small. We’ve also learned how important it is to give our child the space to be himself and grow.
DH: What have you learned about yourself through this journey?
ML: We’ve learned how strong and resilient we can be, and how important it is to advocate for our child. It has also made me reflect on my own strengths and challenges and given me a deeper understanding of how differently each person can experience the world.
DH: What does “acceptance” mean to you, especially during Autism Acceptance Month?
ML: Acceptance means recognizing and embracing differences and supporting every child for who they are. Not everyone communicates the same way, learns the same way, or has the same interests—and that’s what makes each person unique. There is something truly beautiful about individuals being able to be themselves and be accepted for exactly who they are.
Community & Awareness
DH: Why is it important for communities to better understand and accept children with autism?
ML: Because every child deserves inclusion, understanding, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Autism is more common than ever, and it’s important for communities to grow in awareness and understanding of differences in communication, social interaction, and sensory experiences.
Without that understanding, those differences can be misunderstood, which can make situations more challenging for individuals with autism. Greater awareness leads to more patience, inclusion, and support and ultimately creates safer, more accepting environments for everyone.
DH: What would you want other parents, especially young parents who are just starting this journey to know?
ML: You are not alone. There is support out there, and your child is capable of more than you may even imagine. The unknown can feel overwhelming at first, but with clarity and understanding, you will be able to do what it takes to give your child the tools they need to succeed and reach their full potential.
Looking Ahead
DH: What are your hopes and dreams for your child’s future?
ML: We hope he finds his passion, something we know he will give 100% to—builds meaningful relationships, and lives a happy, fulfilling life. We want him to feel confident in who he is and know that he is capable of making a difference in the world.
DH: How do you see your child continuing to grow and thrive?
ML: He is incredibly curious and motivated to learn, and we see that driving him forward as he continues to explore the world and discover what he is capable of.
DH: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with Jawonio or your child’s journey?
ML: We are incredibly grateful for the role Jawonio has played in our child’s development. The progress we’ve seen has been truly meaningful, and we feel so fortunate to have such a supportive and dedicated team. In the almost two years at Jawonio, we have seen a significant improvement in his communication/speech, conversational, social, and sensory development.
DH: If you could describe your child in a few words or phrase, what would it be?
ML: Warm, funny, quirky, curious, inquisitive, and cerebral.
