April is Autism Acceptance Month!

To bring awareness and promote acceptance, we’re honored to share the story of the Fowler family—a CCAI family raising two incredible boys on the Autism spectrum. Their story reminds us of a popular saying in the Autism community by Dr. Stephen Shore:

“If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.”

Autism is a beautifully diverse spectrum. At CCAI, we celebrate neurodiversity and affirm the unique strengths and needs of each child. Many amazing children with Autism are currently waiting to be matched with loving families—could that be you?

Read on to meet the Fowler family and learn how love, flexibility, and community support help them thrive together.

Meet the Fowlers

We’re the Fowlers—a family of six! Our children are Savannah (16), Jackson (12), Brooklynn (11, adopted from China), and Hudson (8, adopted from Taiwan). Both Jackson and Hudson are on the Autism spectrum, though their needs, personalities, and communication styles are quite different.

Our journey to international adoption began long before we met, as something we both felt called to do. As an Army family of 26 years, we’re no strangers to adapting, growing, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Celebrating Jackson and Hudson

When we adopted Hudson in 2019, we already had some experience with Autism, since Jackson had received his diagnosis at age 3. Still, we quickly learned that every individual on the spectrum is entirely unique.

Jackson, who has Level 1 Autism, thrives in a general education classroom, has close friends, and loves deep conversations. He has strong opinions about fairness and justice, and can hyperfocus on topics he’s passionate about. Over the years, we’ve seen him grow and flourish with strategies that work for him.

Hudson, on the other hand, communicates non-verbally and has additional developmental and sensory needs. He receives regular therapies (ABA, OT) and attends a special education program that focuses on life and academic skills. Though he may always require significant support, Hudson brings endless joy, cuddles, and sweet smiles to our family. His progress has been deeply meaningful, and we celebrate every step.

Supporting Hudson’s Unique Needs

Hudson’s sleep challenges, sensory preferences, and hyperactivity have helped us become creative problem-solvers! We built him a safe, cozy room filled with his favorite books, a padded bed, and a rocking chair (he loves to rock while reading).

Medication has helped regulate his sleep and manage big emotions, and physical outlets like our backyard pool and in-ground trampoline give him space to move and play safely.

Thanks to insurance, we receive 16 hours of monthly respite care, which allows us to focus on our other children and recharge. Our church’s Functional Needs ministry also provides Hudson with a one-on-one buddy every Sunday, so we can worship and connect with others, knowing he’s well supported.

We’ve even traveled internationally as a family—bringing along a trusted helper, Gracie, who adores Hudson and ensures everyone can enjoy the experience. It’s all part of doing life together, as a team.

Love Makes a Family

Every adoption journey is unique, just like every child. Some days are beautiful, and others are hard. But God didn’t promise easy—He promised to walk with us. And we see that promise fulfilled every day.

Adopting Hudson stretched us in new ways and deepened our capacity to love, adapt, and trust. We’ve learned to let go of rigid expectations and embrace each of our kids for who they are—not who we thought they’d be.

And it’s made us a stronger, more grace-filled family. 

Could You Be the Right Family for a Child with Autism?

You don’t need to be an expert to parent a child with Autism—just open, curious, and committed. If you’re considering adoption, especially of a child with neurodiverse needs, here are some ways to begin:

Helpful Tips for Prospective Families
💙 Educate yourself: Learn about Autism from varied perspectives—especially Autistic voices. (Try books like Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant or following neurodivergent advocates online.)
💙 Build a support network: Connect with local parent groups, therapists, or churches that offer inclusive programming.
💙 Stay flexible: Celebrate small victories. Adapt routines. Discover what brings your child joy.
💙 Ask questions: Reach out to our team to learn what support, services, and trainings are available before and after adoption.
💙 Believe in your child: Every child deserves to be known, supported, and loved just as they are.

Adoption is not about “fixing” a child—it’s about fully committing to them. It’s a journey of mutual transformation, growth, and grace.

To learn more about adoption through CCAI, visit our adoption page. To explore waiting children with Autism or other special needs, email us at mail@ccaifamily.org, visit our waiting child profile page, or join our private Waiting Children Facebook group.

Let’s celebrate Autism Acceptance Month together—with open hearts and open arms.