Celebrate Autism Awareness Month

April is always a special month for me and my family—it’s Autism Awareness Month. Since my daughter’s diagnosis back in 2003, we have always used this month to show people how proud we are of Annie, and use it as an opportunity to bring awareness to this puzzling disorder. We display a blue porch light (in honor of Light It Up Blue), we proudly show our Autism Awareness flag, and Annie’s brothers (Danny, 15 and Ryan, 12) try to wear an autism shirt every day of the month.

This year, in my role as Devereux Pennsylvania’s Director of Family & Community Services, I will once again visit our local centers, delivering Autism Awareness ribbons, blue light bulbs and Light It Up Blue signs. When I think about this past year, I am so proud and grateful for the progress Annie has made in her school program at Devereux CARES. This past year was an important one for Annie and for our family. She turned 14, and began transition planning planning for the day when she is 22 and no longer in school. She recently started her very first job, restocking breakfast at a local senior center once a week. She has found so much pride in her new job—even wearing the hairnet and gloves!

I remember when she was five and just began school… I cried when they sent home her first art project. I never imagined I would see the day when she started her first job. These are the things that Devereux brings to families continual hope, and dreams even parents may not dare to imagine. Celebrate Autism Awareness Month this April with your friends and families and celebrate the daily miracles.

~ Amy Kelly, Director of Family & Community Services, Devereux PA

Autism Awareness Month Stories

Read touching tributes to Devereux, written by individuals served by Devereux and their families, about how Devereux has made a positive impact on their lives.

Autism A-Z: Beyond the Puzzle
Implementing Evidence-Based Practices Through Family-Provider Partnerships

When: Friday, September 30, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE 19801

Latest News

		Ragan Communications Awards: Devereux earns ‘Honorable Mention’ for ASCEND program Devereux was recently named an “Honorable Mention” in Ragan Communications’ Employee Communications Awards in the Employee Education/Training Program category for its ASCEND Career Accelerator Program. Devereux was recognized during an awards luncheon on April 18 in Chicago.
		Codie Kane named Devereux’s 2024 Savin Scholar Award recipient Devereux Center for Effective Schools doctoral intern Codie Kane, M.Ed., was selected as Devereux’s 2024 Savin Scholar Award recipient for her research proposal that will examine the relationship between preschool students’ protective factors and behavioral concerns.
		Season 2, Episode 5: ‘Not Your Average School Psychologist’ podcast Listen to the latest episode of the Devereux Center for Effective Schools’ podcast featuring Sara Rich, Ph.D., NCSP, HSP, and Brit’ny Stein, Ph.D, NCSP, HSP, who share their work as school psychologists implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in rural communities. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music/Audible.
		Servant Leadership Snapshot: Devereux Texas Lead Teacher Gabriela Puente Devereux Texas Lead Teacher Gabriela Puente inspires others to embrace Servant Leadership practices by leading by example, and by being respectful and kind. Learn how she is helping her team and her center reach even greater heights through Servant Leadership.