Jozef Korzeniewski
April 1, 2026
For families and individuals, an autism diagnosis can come with a lot of unknowns, which is why awareness is important to understand.
Autism is often talked about in the context of early diagnosis and childhood development, but experts like Trish Barlett of Erie’s Autism Society said it’s something that impacts individuals throughout their entire lives.
“Autism has no boundaries; it affects all ages. And we think of autism as a childhood disorder when it is not. When you are a 3-year-old diagnosed with Autism, you are going to be a 30, 40, 50-year-old living with autism,” Bartlett said.
Organizations like the Arc of Erie County and the Barber National Institute said understanding the lifelong impact is key to building the right support systems.
“We go over their concerns, and we coach them and teach them the process of special education. So, they’re able to go into the schools and advocate for their kiddos with disabilities. Especially autism to ensure those kids get all the supports they need in schools,” Eric McLaughlin, who is the executive director for The Arc of Erie County, Pennsylvania, said.
Dr. Maureen Barber-Carvey of Barber National Institute said it’s important to work with the family to identify best practices that they can use with the child, so they can know the best path forward.
From the classrooms to the home to organizations that offer support for people with autism, advocates say it takes more than one person; it takes a team effort.
“Individuals with autism, as I said, can be some of the most compassionate individuals, and they just want friendship. They just want to be accepted. So don’t be scared to reach out and try to be a friend with somebody that is on the spectrum,” Barlett said.
All advocates said increasing understanding and acceptance can help create a more inclusive environment for everyone.