Host Janet Michael sits down with her dear friend Ashley Woodall to talk about raising her son Aiden, who is on the autism spectrum. Ashley opens up about the road to diagnosis, the therapies that have made a difference, what life really looks like day-to-day, and an inspiring community initiative to help first responders better serve individuals with autism.

Topics Covered

Aiden's Early Signs & Diagnosis

Aiden was frequently ill as an infant, which led to early evaluations
Speech pathologist flagged developmental concerns and referred the family to Infant & Toddler Connection
Early signs included late crawling, late walking, speech regression, sensory sensitivities, and feeding difficulties
Pediatrician provided an official autism diagnosis; developmental pediatrician appointment followed
Waitlists for developmental specialists can be 1–2 years long

Therapies & Early Intervention

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy began in July 2024 — described as life-changing
Also received speech therapy, occupational therapy, and developmental therapy in the home
Aiden uses an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device to help him communicate
Identified as a gestalt language processor — learns language through phrases rather than individual words
Ashley left her career to become Aiden's primary caregiver and therapy support at home

Navigating Daily Life

Public outings like grocery shopping can be unpredictable — good days and very hard days
Aiden has no sense of danger and is prone to elopement (running away)
Meltdowns can look like defiance but are often unmet needs the child cannot communicate
Families with autistic children often have a limited support system for childcare
Ashley emphasizes the importance of inclusion — autistic children deserve to be part of the community

What the Public Should Know

Avoid judgment — you don't know what a family has been through before that moment
Offer help or kind words; if you can't be helpful, simply walk away
Look for sunflower lanyards — a universal symbol that a child or individual is neurodivergent

The Sensory Bag Initiative

Ashley, her husband Joe, and a group of autism parents assembled 50 sensory bags to donate to local first responders
Each bag contains:

Noise-canceling headphones
Sunglasses (to reduce bright/flashing lights)
Fidget and sensory toys

Goal: at least one bag on the street at all times across Front Royal Police, Warren County Sheriff's Office, and Warren County Fire & Rescue
Funded through community donations; two major contributors, including a family friend whose granddaughter also has autism
Bags will be heat-pressed with a design reading "Sensory Bag" and a note crediting community generosity

Looking Ahead: A Nonprofit in the Making

Ashley is working to establish a 501(c)3 nonprofit to expand the initiative
The nonprofit will be dedicated to the memory of her late son Michael, who was known for his generosity and love of giving back
Plans include an official Facebook page, website, and broader fundraising once the nonprofit is formalized

Key Takeaways

Early intervention is critical — don't wait for a formal diagnosis to begin seeking services
ABA therapy, AAC devices, and in-home reinforcement can produce remarkable results
Empathy and inclusion go a long way for families navigating autism in public spaces
First responders equipped with sensory tools can significantly de-escalate situations involving autistic individuals
Community generosity can turn a personal struggle into meaningful local change

Resources Mentioned

Infant & Toddler Connection (through Grafton)
DSS Long-Term Care Waiver / Medicaid
ABA therapy / Valley Health
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices
Sunflower Lanyard Program

Sensory Bags & Second Looks: Raising a Child with Autism