Ripley B.
Emmett’s Mom

💙 Parent Voices: Growing Together, One Step at a Time
Ripley had a head start in recognizing the signs. With a background in early childhood education, she was well-versed in developmental benchmarks. So when her son Emmett — full of energy but struggling with fine motor skills, comprehension, and language — kept missing milestone after milestone, she trusted her gut and sought answers.
The autism diagnosis came at age two. And shortly after, they found Creating Brighter Futures.
At first, Emmett was nonverbal and often aggressive — frustrated by a world that didn’t understand him and a body that couldn’t express what he felt. But from day one, the staff at Creating Brighter Futures met him with patience, empathy, and structure. And slowly, things began to change.
Ripley remembers the emotional toll of those early years: parenting solo most mornings, juggling work, and feeling like she was constantly misunderstood — just like her son. But the team at CBF didn’t just support Emmett — they supported her.
“This place was my family,” Ripley says. “They understood when I was emotional. They helped me in those moments. While Emmett was receiving care, I was too.”
As Emmett progressed — learning to speak, communicate safely, and regulate his emotions — Ripley grew alongside him. She gained advocacy tools, confidence, and a deep understanding of how to help her son succeed. Even the school transition felt smoother, thanks to the CBF team’s guidance on navigating IEPs, securing a paraprofessional, and preparing for what came next.
One of Ripley’s most cherished memories is Emmett’s graduation day. “I had streams of mascara down my face,” she laughs. “It was time for school, but I didn’t want to leave.”
Now in elementary school, Emmett is thriving. He’s social, verbal, and full of joy — and still talks about the team at Creating Brighter Futures with love. For Ripley, the biggest gift wasn’t just watching her son grow — it was knowing she didn’t have to walk that journey alone.
“They gave us hope. They gave us tools. And they never stopped cheering for us — even after we graduated.”
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 All families featured here have graduated from their programs and are no longer active clients.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.