Autism Awareness Month Spotlight: How Allison's Bond with Her Sister Inspires Her Work

Allison joined the Behavioral Health team at Association House as an Occupational Therapist in 2022.

April is Autism Awareness Month. In celebration, we spoke to Allison, an occupational therapist at Association House whose personal connection to autism transformed her work with us.

When Allison was choosing a career, she was drawn to occupational therapy because it helps people focus on what matters most to them, gaining skills and confidence along the way. For her, it was more than just a job: it was personal.

Allison grew up alongside her younger sister Lizzie, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Lizzie struggled with some developmental delays, including verbal communication-- but despite these barriers, Allison and Lizzie's sisterly connection was strong.

"My parents were always surprised because there were certain things where, if Lizzie didn't want to do something, she was not going to do it. But they would sometimes be surprised when I could get Lizzie to play with me anyway-- like doing dress-up. Our relationship is super important to me-- she's one of the loves of my life," Allison says.

As they got older, Allison occasionally stepped in as a caretaker for her sister. In this role, Allison discovered that she was able to advocate for Lizzie in a unique way. Their bond allowed Allison to better understand different ways that Lizzie would communicate or express herself. By Allison acting not just as a caretaker for Lizzie but also as a sister, their relationship allowed them to grow and learn together.

"There's a lot more that she understands than she's always able to express. Even if she can't necessarily verbalize what her interests are or what she wants to do, she can be given the opportunity to show me in her own way," Allison shared. "When I'm with her, I never want to be directing her-- which I think can sometimes be how people with autism are treated-- instead, I want to be collaborating with her."

Now, as an occupational therapist for Association House, Allison is bringing that same mentality to her work with our participants. As part of the Comprehensive Class Members Transition Program (CCMTP), she works with people who've been wrongfully placed in nursing homes, developing personalized solutions for living independently again. She brings the compassion her sister taught her to work with people of all abilities.

"Above all, we always want to assume competence. No matter the behavior that you see, you treat people on an equal level," Allison told us. "How you address someone affects not only how they feel: it affects what they believe they can do." By letting each individual lead their own journey, they can more easily gain the confidence to trust themselves and their capabilities.

In her time with Association House, Allison has been impressed with its culture of openness and acceptance-- an environment that can be less common in disability care than you might think. After following Lizzie's journey through many different stages and treatment approaches, Allison had special appreciation for the House's commitment to meeting participants where they're at.

"The barriers are not in the individuals themselves, but in their environments," Allison says. "Everyone should be treated equally in humanity and dignity. Every brain is different. I feel like Association House has been open to people of all different backgrounds and diagnoses. It sounds simple, but all it takes is being open to all people: including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."

Allison’s story is a testament to the power of connection, advocacy, and above all, assuming competence in those we serve. In her work and in her life, she proves that when we see people for who they truly are—not just for their challenges—we open the door to possibility. ▪

Click to learn more about Developmental Disability Support and CCMTP at Association House.

Resources for Autistic Individuals & Their Families, Shared by Allison:

Communication4All - An organization dedicated to empowering non-speakers with autism to communicate in alternative, adaptive ways.

"Spellers" Documentary - A film exploring an exciting new approach for nonverbal communication in those with autism: RPM, or Rapid Prompting Method.

The Spellers Center - Network of providers exploring the possibilities of the Spelling method, explored in the documentary above.