Molly S.

Jake’s Mom

💙 Parent Voices: They Helped Me Reach My Son

Molly had grown up in the special needs community. Her sister had been diagnosed at a young age, so she thought she understood the landscape. But when it came to her own son Jake — and the wave of emotion that came with his diagnosis — nothing truly prepared her.

Diagnosed with autism just before turning two, Jake faced immense challenges: no speech, limited gross motor control, and behaviors that made even everyday moments difficult. He couldn’t jump or clap. He couldn’t drink from a cup. Molly and her husband felt helpless — unsure how to connect with their son, how to help him, how to move forward.

Then came a conversation that changed everything: another parent introduced her to Jessica Irish.

From their very first encounter, Molly knew something was different about Creating Brighter Futures. Not only did the team understand Jake — they taught her how to support him more effectively. Over the next several years, that partnership became a cornerstone in Jake’s development.

Creating Brighter Futures helped Jake grow in every way — emotionally, socially, behaviorally. But what Molly says she appreciated most wasn’t just the progress. It was the patience. The kindness. The way everyone on Jake’s team made her feel like she wasn’t being judged or rushed, but supported. Truly supported.

“I never felt like people were staring,” she says. “There was an understanding here that everyone was different, and everyone needed something a little different. That patience changed everything for me.”

Even now, years after graduating, Jake still lights up when they mention Creating Brighter Futures. And for Molly, the impact remains clear: this was a place where her son — and her peace of mind — truly began to grow.

A quick note: These testimonials were voluntarily shared by parents whose children have previously received services at Creating Brighter Futures. All families featured here have graduated from their programs and are no longer active clients. We're honored to share their reflections and celebrate the progress their children made along the way.