Avenues for Autism shares the incredible journey of those we serve and whose lives have been changed thanks to our generous donors. We hope you enjoy our May 2026 issue of Exceeding the Limits!
On March 4, 2017, our youngest child, Christopher Frederick “CJ” Gambrell, was born a healthy, happy baby. As he grew, we began to notice delays in his speech and social development, and by age 3 he was receiving support services. In 2022, CJ was diagnosed with autism. He started therapy and kindergarten, but the transition was difficult. CJ became frustrated and aggressive because he could not communicate his needs and was not being taught in ways he could understand.
We tried different school and therapy settings, hoping to find the right fit. Although CJ made progress in communication, some environments were not meeting his needs and even led to unsafe behaviors. We felt helpless and only wanted a place where he could feel safe, learn, and grow.
Then we met a family who recommended Sara’s Garden Autism School. CJ was able to start there in December 2023, just before Christmas break. Since then, he has stopped repeating harmful behaviors, started speaking more, and began interacting more with other children. CJ now loves going to school every day. At Sara’s Garden, he has gained vocabulary, learned to communicate clearly, and become a happier, more imaginative child.
He has now been at Sara’s Garden New Horizon for a couple of years and is thriving. His second-grade year has been especially strong in writing, cutting, math, creativity, sharing, and taking turns. As he prepares for third grade, we are filled with hope. We have learned that finding the right school and teachers can make all the difference for a child who learns in his own way.
An autism diagnosis can feel chaotic and overwhelming, but the Suzanne Tyner Autism Assistance Fund from Avenues for Autism has been a true blessing to our family. Their generous support eased financial stress and gave us guidance that changed our journey.
We remain grateful for continued support as we learn to meet CJ’s needs day by day. His journey has opened our eyes and inspired us to support others navigating disability. CJ is a blessing and a joy, and we would not have him any other way.
~Story provided by CJ’s mom
