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 August 2026 issue of Exceeding the Limits!
Malakai’s story begins at birth when he was born with a missing ear canal and a malformed outer left ear. Shortly afterward, we learned that he had Microtia and Aural Atresia, and he received his first hearing aid at just six months old. As he grew, he was also diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and a mild intellectual disability. Through therapy and the support of his special education school, Malakai has made remarkable progress. He learned to walk and continues to expand his vocabulary, verbalizing more words every day.
Receiving funds from the Suzanne Tyner Autism Fund made it possible for my child to attend summer camp. This support provided an opportunity to participate in a safe, inclusive environment while building confidence, independence, and social skills. Summer camp also offered meaningful opportunities to make friends, try new activities, and experience the joy of being included.
Malakai has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the opportunity to attend summer camp. His verbal skills have improved tremendously, and he is now using three-word phrases and has developed a much larger vocabulary to communicate his wants and needs. He has also been doing wonderfully at school, making progress in social skills such as waiting his turn and playing cooperatively with others. I even witnessed him trying to jump rope the other day and he was able to get one hop in!
The financial assistance significantly reduced the burden of camp expenses for our family and allowed us to provide an experience that may otherwise have been difficult to afford. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Avenues for Autism and the positive impact their support has had on our child’s summer. Their kindness helped create lasting memories and opportunities for growth, connection, and belonging.
~ Story provided by Malakai’s mom
