The Autism Journey of the Rivera-Padua Family
Despite Hurricane Maria and a move, a family keeps its focus on helping a son, and others, with autism.
Learn MoreTopic: SPARK family stories
Since 2016, hundreds of thousands of people throughout the U.S. have joined SPARK. Many have shared their autism and research journeys with us. These family stories are about everyday life, triumphs, challenges, and why finding answers through SPARK’s autism research is important.
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Five Years Along, the Stein Family and SPARK
In 2016, the Steins joined a new autism study called SPARK. What’s happened with them, and SPARK, since then?
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Teen Advocate Avery Cormier Likes “Making Friends with the World”
Teen artist Avery Cormier finds community among youth with autism.
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Extremely Rare Condition Linked to Autism
The King family learned their son had a change in a gene called CUL3.
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A Genetic Diagnosis Surprises an Ohio Family
When the McGregors joined SPARK, they did not expect to learn the cause of their son’s autism. Then came an email from SPARK about genetic results.
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At 30 Years Old, a Genetic Diagnosis
Decades after their son was diagnosed with autism, the Jarboe family learned that he has a gene change in one of his chromosomes, structures inside cells that contain our DNA.
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Family Discovers Cause of Son’s Autism and a Path Forward
A Texas family found a path forward after learning from SPARK that their son has a rare change to his MED13 gene.
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Spotlight: Trudi Sullivan Raises Awareness of an ‘Invisible’ Generation
When Trudi Sullivan was being evaluated for an autism spectrum disorder, she was ushered into a room that included a child-sized chair. That chair was a reminder that she was getting her diagnosis later than most people — decades later.
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Spotlight: Denise Lombardi Advocates for Autism and Epilepsy Research
The Lombardis joined SPARK to help scientists learn more about autism and epilepsy, which both affect son RJ. They want better treatments to reduce the risks of seizures. “This is a matter of life or death,” RJ’s mother says.
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Community Spotlight: Autism Advocate Rico Winston
The Marine Corps helped instill in Rico Winston a strong belief in duty. So when his son was diagnosed with autism, he knew what he must do. He immersed himself in learning about autism, and advocating for research and services to help others like his son.
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