From Rejection to Resilience: Building a Better Future for our Autistic Son

When Mike and Kay Carr’s son Michael, who has severe autism, aged out of school services, they faced limited options and heartbreaking rejections from programs unable to handle his needs. Frustrated but determined, they partnered with Dr. Nina Zuna at UT to create a unique program involving multiple departments. Students earned credit while providing therapy and support for Michael, fostering his growth and gaining invaluable experience. Though funding challenges forced them to scale back, the Carrs continue to collaborate with students, improving Michael’s care and sharing their journey to inspire and help other families facing similar struggles.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome: Embracing Hope Amid Challenges
• 0:17 A Critical Milestone: Aging Out of Support Systems
• 1:08 A False Start: The Search for Inclusive Programs
• 2:04 Building from Scratch: Starting a Home Program
• 3:09 The Turning Point: Support from the University of Texas
• 4:40 A Holistic Approach: Multidisciplinary Teamwork
• 6:36 Tracking Progress: The Importance of Data