Every April, National Autism Awareness Month promotes autism awareness, autism acceptance, and aims to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year. As the public relations lead for Marcus Autism Center - one of the largest autism centers in the U.S. and one of only five National Institutes of Health (NIH) Autism Centers of Excellence, I was given complete creative control over the annual AAM campaign.

Inspired by the misconceptions around children on the spectrum, I decided to debunk the idea that people with autism aren't capable of building meaningful relationships. To celebrate AAM, I concepted a photo series that did just that.

The series highlighted patients who have embraced their unique qualities and formed friendships thanks to the progress they've made through their work with the center. I saw this campaign through from start to finish - sourcing the patients and photographer, creative directing the photoshoot and executing the social and media relations strategy. This remains one of my most fulfilling projects to date.