Liam is just 6 years old and struggling with heartbreaking psychiatric issues, including self harm. Until he gets an official autism diagnosis, he can only attend school for 2.5 hours per day, isolated in a room. This means Sarah can’t work while she raises Liam alone. She’s facing draining her pension and declaring bankruptcy while waiting 18 months for a publicly funded autism assessment, or coming up with $5k for a private diagnosis.

After growing up in foster care/group homes and then emancipated at 15, Sarah lacks family support. She’s fiercly independent and hesitant to ask for help, but the health care system is failing them both - a system Sarah worked for as a care aid for 15 years (including during the frontlines of Covid).

An 18 month wait while this mother and child both suffer is unacceptable. They deserve better - so let’s get this private assessment now!

Sarah plans to give back by advocating for autistic youth, bringing awareness to this damaging gap in the health care system, and connecting with other mothers in similar situations (feel free to DM her!)

A big thank you from Sarah and Liam ❤️