I want to share a story that beautifully encapsulates the heart of our work here at MAC—a story about the little things that add up to make a big difference in the lives of our learners and their families.
Recently, I sat down with Emily Tautges, one of our dedicated Regional Directors, who has been a part of the MAC family for many years. Emily’s journey began as a Behavior Therapist, and her passion for our mission has only grown stronger with each passing day. When I asked her what keeps her so deeply committed, her answer was simple yet profound: “It’s about the little things.”
Emily explained how it’s the small steps, the incremental progress, that truly transform our learners’ lives. She spoke of witnessing moments when a learner, for the first time, advocates for themselves—whether it’s expressing that they’re cold or that they don’t want to eat something. These seemingly small milestones are, in reality, monumental. They represent our learners gaining the tools they need to navigate the world around them, to be heard, and to thrive within their communities.
Emily shared a particularly touching story that has stayed with her throughout her years at MAC. She recalled working with an 8-year-old boy who came to us as a non-verbal learner. His family lived far from our centers, so instead of the family coming in for weekly sessions, Emily would drive to their home once a month to conduct intensive, 4-hour sessions. Over time, the boy made remarkable progress, and after a year of hard work, he was able to speak in full sentences.
But the moment that Emily will never forget is when, during one of their sessions, this young boy turned to his mother and, for the very first time, said, “I love you.”
The room was filled with tears of joy—a moment that was the culmination of countless small steps, each one building on the last to create a life-changing experience for this child and his family.
This story is just one of many that highlights the profound impact MAC has on the lives of our learners and their families. It’s a testament to the power of dedication, patience, and love—qualities that our staff bring to their work every day.
As we continue our mission to support individuals with autism and their families, we need your help. Your generosity allows us to continue offering these life-changing services, to reach more families, and to create more of these incredible moments.
