Amie G.

Andrew’s Mom

💙 Parent Voices: They Gave Us Back Our Son

Amie still remembers the early days — before the diagnosis, before the therapies, before the support. Her son Andrew wasn’t hitting developmental milestones, and at times, it felt like he was slipping away. At one point, she and her husband wondered if he could even hear them.

The official autism diagnosis came just before his second birthday. At the time, ABA wasn’t even widely available. But through a local support group, Amie was introduced to someone who would change everything: Jessica Irish.

They followed Jessica to her new center — Creating Brighter Futures — and became the very first family she served there. The decision, Amie says, changed their lives.

Andrew faced significant challenges. He was non-verbal, struggled with gross motor coordination, and had intense sensory needs. But Creating Brighter Futures met him exactly where he was. They introduced communication devices, taught him to bathe independently, helped him learn life skills that many take for granted — brushing his teeth, using the toilet, dressing himself.

For Amie, though, the transformation was even more profound.

She describes the heartbreak of parenting without connection — of not knowing what your child wants, needs, or feels. Through ABA therapy, patience, and unwavering support, that connection was restored. For the first time, she could see who her son truly was — what made him happy, what made him tick, and how to reach him.

“They introduced me to my kid,” she says through tears. “It’s not the child we thought we were going to have, but they helped us find him — and helped us love every bit of who he is.”

Amie still considers the staff part of her extended family. A decade later, they remain close, and she often finds herself wanting to call and share life’s little victories. Because this wasn’t just therapy — it was community.

From school transitions to life at home, Creating Brighter Futures walked alongside them. And for Amie, the biggest gift wasn’t just that her son grew — it was that she did too.

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 All families featured here have graduated from their programs and are no longer active clients.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.