NORTH BRANFORD, Conn. — Ashley McClain is an advocate, a volunteer, a wife, a dance coach, but first and foremost, she is a mother.
"I always say my daughter made me a mother, and my son made me a stronger mother," McClain said.
She said being a mother is her most challenging role yet: "My daughter Leigha is eight, and my son Colton is seven, and he is on the spectrum."
But, with each challenge comes an opportunity for beauty and growth - when her son Colton was diagnosed with autism, it completely changed her world.
"He has kind of turned our world upside down and really taught us how to live our lives," McClain said.
Now, her life has turned to educating and advocating for her son and individuals like him that are "different." She started her non-profit organization "Beyond The Horizon" about a year ago. It provides advocacy, education and inclusive opportunities for those with different abilities.
"It’s from the inadequacies in his life and the support he needed, the friendship building he needed; the lack of education is really what prompted us saying OK we want to do something, and we are going to make a difference," she said.
The McClain family has experienced those who don't understand autism and what makes Colton special.
"Just because someone is different doesn't mean they are wrong; you can actually learn a lot about them," said McClain.
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"I feel like it’s really special because we spend lots of time together, and its super exciting," said Leigha McClain, Colton’s sister.
As her mom puts it, Leigha says it best: "That his brain works differently, and he is unique."
"Not there is anything wrong, just different, and I think that’s the best way to explain the way that they learn is different. They way they understand is different, the way someone moves might be different, but that’s OK [because] everybody is different."
She said it's helpful to explain to your child that some students in their classroom may be different, but everyone deserves kindness.
"I really think that yes, you want to acknowledge that there is a difference in somebody, but you want to treat them just as equally as the next person," McClain said.
She also encourages parents to do their research and ask questions.
"I always say if you see a child or an adult with a difference whether physical or cognitive, don’t just stare don’t tell your child not to stare but encourage them to smile, encourage them to wave because you don’t realize how much those waves don’t happen and how much those smiles don’t happen, and we all deserve the acceptance of others," McClain said.
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Alexa Farrell is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at afarrell@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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