When Daxton was a toddler, we began noticing that he was developing differently than other children his age. Around 18 months old, we started seeing changes in his communication, play, and behavior that led us to seek answers. At just two and a half years old, Daxton was diagnosed with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder.

That diagnosis marked the beginning of a journey that has challenged our family in ways we never imagined, but it has also taught us more about perseverance, unconditional love, and celebrating every milestone, no matter how small.

Today, Daxton is a bright, adventurous little boy with an incredible memory for letters and words. He is hyperlexic, meaning he has an exceptional ability to recognize letters and written words, and he has a deep fascination with the alphabet. He experiences the world in his own unique way, and while his perspective often amazes us, it also comes with significant challenges.

Daxton is currently nonverbal and is not yet potty trained. He has significant sensory-seeking behaviors and an overwhelming desire to run or wander, making constant supervision essential for his safety. Because he doesn't yet understand danger, everyday activities that many families take for granted require careful planning and extra precautions.

Communication is one of Daxton's greatest challenges. Like all of us, he has wants, needs, and feelings, but when he cannot communicate them effectively, it can lead to frustration and anxiety. He also struggles to understand many of the social cues and expectations that come naturally to others, making it difficult to interact with the world around him.

Despite these challenges, Daxton works incredibly hard every single day.

He currently attends a Special Day Class and participates in speech therapy, occupational therapy, equine therapy, and adaptive swim lessons. We are also waiting for an opening to begin ABA therapy. Each of these services plays an important role in helping him build communication, independence, and life skills.

As his parents, we believe in taking a comprehensive approach to his care. Alongside the traditional therapies recommended by his medical and educational teams, we are exploring additional therapies that we hope may further support his development and quality of life. One of those goals is to begin a year-long stem cell treatment program. While research into these therapies is still evolving, we believe they represent an opportunity worth pursuing for Daxton, and we are committed to making informed decisions every step of the way.

Autism doesn't only affect one person, it impacts our entire family.

Daxton has three incredible siblings who love him deeply. They celebrate his victories, protect him, and accept him exactly as he is. At the same time, they have made countless sacrifices throughout their childhood. Family outings often require extensive planning, vacations look different, and many everyday activities revolve around ensuring Daxton's safety and meeting his unique needs. Through it all, they continue to show patience, compassion, and a love for their brother that inspires us every day.

Our greatest hope is not to change who Daxton is.

Our hope is to give him every opportunity to communicate, learn, build meaningful relationships, gain greater independence, and experience the world as fully as possible. We also hope to ease some of the daily challenges our family faces so that each of our children can thrive.

Aim for Autism was created because we believe no family should have to walk this journey alone. Every registration, sponsorship, and donation helps us continue pursuing therapies that may improve Daxton's quality of life while reminding our family that we are surrounded by an incredible community of support. We hope to continue this tradition to help more families in the future.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking this journey with us.