What’s our Why?
Our first podcast episode is the introductions of our hosts, Samantha Drudge and Susan Crowell. What are the reasons each of them is a part of My Autism Ally . Samantha Drudge is our Program Coordinator and Susan Crowell is the Founder Executive Director of My Autism Ally. They are both parents of young adult males on the autism spectrum.
Susan’s expertise in mental health and autism comes from a variety of life and professional experiences; as a child of a parent that struggled with mental illness throughout their life, working in the special education system at the school level, as a disability advocate and a parent of a child on the autism spectrum for over 19 years. These multiple perspectives allow her to see the ways different services can beneficial as well as their limitations, for individuals and families affected by autism.
Samantha has over 10 years experience; disability school law advocate, career specialist, autism advocate, wavier service coordinator and office administrator in an ABA center. As a parent of 3 grown boys, two with mental health issues, one with Autism Spectrum Disorder she struggled with finding resources till she joined a local support group for parents with kids with autism. “That group opened my eyes to things and I discovered we weren’t alone with the struggles our family had. It moved me to seek employment in that community. Please know you’re not alone in your journey in autism.”
Let us help you on your autism journey. Our services will help connect you with autism supports in your community. Following My Autism Ally is an easy way to stay connected to things that are happening in the northern Indiana. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or sign up for our newsletter on our website at https://myautismally.org