Weekly Edition - 6.17.25

Representation is changing the game in ways that matter to your family. From a new PBS drama featuring genuine autism portrayal to Black dads launching podcasts that fill gaps mainstream conversations missed, authentic voices are finally being heard. Meanwhile, two college freshmen with Down syndrome are rewriting expectations about what's possible, and discover why the people helping your child learn every day are walking away from jobs they love.

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The Big Idea

This week’s featured story: a closer look at developments making waves in the I/DD community

📖 The people who help your child learn can't afford to keep doing it. Paraprofessionals—the classroom support staff who work one-on-one with students, including many with disabilities—are leaving their jobs because they literally can't survive on what they're paid. According to The 74 Million, the average paraprofessional salary is just $35,240 a year, with many earning far less. New York City currently faces a shortage of more than 1,550 paraprofessionals, while California districts report they can't fill positions when McDonald's pays more than schools do.

The numbers tell a stark story about the workforce that supports our children's education. A 2022 National Education Association survey found that more than half of paraprofessionals work additional jobs after school hours, and 75% struggle to make a living wage. As one California paraprofessional told reporters, "Our starting pay is $18.63 an hour. When you can go work at McDonald's for over $20 an hour—and not have as much responsibility working one-on-one with students—the draw isn't there."

Unions across the country are now pushing for dramatic pay increases to address the crisis. Boston paraprofessionals recently secured raises of 23% to 31% over three years, while Pittsburgh awarded 14% increases. The United Federation of Teachers in New York is taking the unprecedented step of bypassing traditional bargaining to push legislation that would mandate $10,000 annual raises for all paraprofessionals.

For families whose children depend on paraprofessional support—particularly those with autism, learning disabilities, or other special needs—this staffing crisis hits close to home. As UFT paraprofessional chapter president Priscilla Castro explained, these are the staff members who "are there with the students every period" and witness both the challenges and breakthroughs that define a child's educational journey. When these crucial support positions can't be filled, it's the students who need the most help who suffer the consequences.

If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

Moments That Matter

Celebrating the everyday victories, breakthrough achievements, and inspiring individuals

👭 College just proved what these parents always believed. Best friends Ava Shahbahrami and Jules Gray wrapped up their freshman year at USC Aiken's USCA Life Program, and the results speak louder than any skeptic ever could. According to WIS News, Ava made history as the first program student to join a sorority, while Jules became so well-known on campus that administrators say "everybody knows Jules." The real victory isn't just their social success—it's watching them master independent living skills that many thought impossible, from managing debit cards to maintaining their own schedules. As Ava's mother Patricia told reporters, "This last year I have seen tremendous growth in Ava, she just blew it out of the park, getting up every single day on her own." For families wondering if college is possible for their loved ones with Down syndrome, these two friends are writing the playbook that shows it's not just possible—it's transformative. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

📺️ PBS's new crime drama "Patience" does something most shows won't dare—it puts an autistic woman front and center as the detective hero. The twist that makes this different? Actress Ella Maisy Purvis, who plays the lead, is actually autistic herself, bringing real authenticity to a role that typically gets misunderstood on screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Purvis was thrilled that her character isn't treated like a child but as "an adult woman with a job" who even has romantic storylines—something rarely seen with genuine care in mainstream media. For families navigating life with autism, this June 15 premiere represents more than entertainment; it's validation that autistic individuals can be seen as capable, complex people rather than one-dimensional stereotypes. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

Community Catalyst

Local Innovation Worth Spreading: See how local changes are creating ripples of progress nationwide

🔓️ These fathers are breaking the silence that nobody talks about. Black fathers of autistic children are stepping out of the shadows through podcasts and support groups designed specifically for their unique journey. According to the Associated Press, fathers like Tyrone Green discovered that traditional autism conversations don't address their experience as Black dads with "hopes and dreams" for their children. Green started the podcast "AutisHIM" in 2023 after realizing his wife "couldn't understand what I was going through as a Black father," highlighting the isolation many experience. As Green explained, "I see a lot of Black women doing their thing... but I think there definitely needs to be more conversations surrounding [Black fatherhood and autism] because... this is never really the topic of discussion." For families in the I/DD community, this movement represents validation that fathers need their own space to process complex emotions beyond just "happy and mad." If you would like to read more, check out the original article.