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Hessel Family Foundation / News  / Why Autism Awareness Month Matters to Our Family and Yours

Why Autism Awareness Month Matters to Our Family and Yours

By Robert Hessel, Co-founder of The Hessel Family Foundation

April is National Autism Awareness Month—a time for listening, learning, and leaning into compassion. For my wife, Tajila, and me, this month means much more than a colored ribbon or social media post. It’s a reflection of the journey we’ve walked with our daughter Mia, who is autistic, and the life-changing impact she’s had not only on our family—but on how we move through the world.

Before Mia’s diagnosis, I never thought twice about the simple act of going out for dinner. But when your child has autism, the “simple” becomes complex. What will the lighting be like? Will the music be loud? How crowded will it be? Who will understand if she needs a moment to calm down? These aren’t just passing thoughts—they’re the kind of questions that can turn a night out into a source of stress and anxiety, not just for your child, but for you as a parent, for siblings, for staff, and even for other guests.

That’s why we believe awareness must lead to action. It’s why we created Mia’s Room.

Located inside JR’s Sports Pub (https://jrssportspub.com) in Clearwater, Florida—one of our businesses—Mia’s Room is a sensory-friendly space designed with calm and care in mind. Named after our daughter, it offers dim lighting, reduced noise levels, and a peaceful retreat for parents and children who need a moment to reset. It’s a small room with a big mission: inclusion.

We know not every restaurant or business can build a sensory room, but every space can become more mindful. Sensory-friendly environments aren’t just helpful—they’re life-changing. They give families like ours the freedom to participate in everyday activities without fear, without judgment, and without having to choose between comfort and community. This is what the Hessel Family Foundation (www.hesselfoundation.org) is all about—bridging the gap between awareness and access. Through our foundation, we support organizations that provide education, therapy, and advocacy services for individuals with autism, as well as for veterans, cancer fighters, and their families. We believe in meeting people where they are and making space—literally and figuratively—for everyone to thrive.

As my wife, Tajila, often says:

Being a mom to a child with autism, raising two kids, managing a career, and building a nonprofit isn’t easy—but it’s real. It’s our life. And if sharing what we’ve learned helps even one family feel less alone, then every late night, every challenge, every step of this journey is worth it.

So this April, we invite you to look around your world and ask, “How can I help make this space more welcoming?” Maybe it’s adjusting the lighting at your workplace. Maybe it’s donating to a nonprofit that serves the autism community. Maybe it’s simply listening more, and judging less.

Because when we make room for understanding, we make room for everyone.

With gratitude,

Robert Hessel

Co-founder, The Hessel Family Foundation

CEO, Source 1 Solutions

Veteran. Father. Advocate.