AUsome Sauce is a labor of love, my son was diagnosed with Autism when he was two years old. During those early stages of his diagnosis, I felt very alone and lost in what I thought was best for him or even not best for him and his needs. I did all the research and connected with people online about services but with anything, the connection was still missing. As I gained more confidence in how we were handling things as a family with a child with special needs and recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic I took things into my own hands. After attempting to work as a chapter of another group, I found too many hurdles for my ideas so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I stopped making excuses, I had an idea and ran with it. Starting a nonprofit is not just a passion, it’s a lot of hard work and dedication. It usually starts with a need, knowing that I felt alone; I knew there was another person out there, a mom like me just trying to get through this life-changing event. If I or AUsome Sauce as a community could help make the process just a little easier, then I have succeeded. Oftentimes with a child who has Autism, we take the little wins and I see how creating a safe space with consistency can alter a parent’s perspective.

-Sarah Watkins, Founder