Hi everyone, we need your help — and your opinion truly matters. Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to read this. We’re truly grateful and hope that our story can help someone out there — maybe even you.

I’m Cheryl Ann, this is my husband AJ, and our daughter Lily Ora. Lily was diagnosed with autism at just 2 ½ years old. She faced developmental delays — speech, eye contact, motor skills, and milestones like potty training. At preschool, Lily would often arrange blocks and colors by pattern, not playing with them like other kids. She struggled to communicate, which made connecting with others difficult. She felt isolated, and so did we.

💔 It broke our hearts to see Lily struggle. But through it all, we knew there had to be a way for her to express herself, to be seen, and to grow.

Around age 6, we decided to introduce Lily to the world of art. It started simple — coloring books, crayons, a sketchpad. It was the best decision we ever made. Lily found joy in drawing. Her favorite was making circles in every color, over and over. Then, she started drawing characters from her favorite movies, and her creativity soared. It gave her something to do with her hands, and it became a way for her to communicate, express her emotions, and build confidence.

With the help of her OT (Occupational Therapist) and some funding, we got Lily an iPad, and that’s when her artwork really came to life. Her reading, spelling, and penmanship improved, and most importantly — she started to feel proud of what she created.

👉 Art gave Lily a voice. It might be the key to unlocking your child's potential too.

As Lily grew, we searched for an online space where she could connect with other neurodivergent kids, share her art, and just be herself — without judgment, without pressure. But we couldn’t find anything like that. So, we decided to create it ourselves.

We launched Autistic Artworx, a space where neurodiverse kids can meet, play, and create together. It's more than just an art program — it’s a community. For less than a dollar a day, kids can build friendships, express themselves, and grow their skills at their own pace.

👉 It costs us money to run, but if it can help just one child feel seen, heard, and proud, it’s worth it.

Lily is so excited to meet new friends and share her art with others. AJ and Lily recorded a short video to introduce themselves — we’d love for you to check it out!

💜 Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we can make Autistic Artworx a place where every neurodivergent genius can shine.