Betsy Hicks Russ

Betsy Hicks Russ, a passionate advocate and mother of a nonverbal autistic son named Joey, shares her transformative experiences in communication and parenting. She highlights the power of spelling as a means of connection and stresses the importance of assuming competence in non-speaking individuals. Betsy discusses her Be Kind Vest initiative designed to promote understanding in public spaces and emphasizes the need for community support and inclusivity in the autism community. Her insights inspire compassion and understanding while navigating the challenges of raising an autistic child.