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Families, Systems, and Shared Solutions: Rebuilding Trust in Disability Services – Lessons from the OPWDD–Georgetown Partnership
I didn’t start as a systems guy. I started as a dad in denial, with no roadmap, no acronyms, and no patience for policy. Then our family hit rough water. Puberty flipped the table, literally. Supports vanished just when we needed them most. Person-centered practice became paper-centered...
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Navigating Autism as a Black Parent: Our Story, Our Struggle, Our Strength
When my son Joshua was first diagnosed with developmental delays—and later with autism—our lives changed in profound ways. The impact wasn’t just emotional; it was deeply systemic. We entered a world not designed for families like ours. Our story began with quiet questions. Why...
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Rights and Challenges for Autistic People with Communication Disabilities in the Legal System
Police should be the last resort.... I shouldn’t have to call the police if my son is having a meltdown. When I get up in the morning, I say, “Thank God he’s not dead,” and “Thank God I’m not dead.” - Kerima Çevik, activist and parent of a nonspeaking autistic son (Sokol,...
