Why It Matters 

Every day, individuals with autism and their families face challenges navigating public spaces, emergency situations, and daily routines. Without the proper awareness and understanding from the community — including first responders, educators, and businesses — these moments can become overwhelming, feel secluded, or even dangerous. Autism Support Unit (ASU) was founded to change that. 

From first responder trainings that save lives to family registry tools that bring peace of mind, ASU is committed to building bridges between the autism community and the systems they interact with. With 1 in 31 children now diagnosed with autism, there's no better time to bring compassion, safety, and preparedness to the forefront of every department, business, and home. 

Why I Started This

Autism Support Unit was born from a very personal place—my son Liam. When he was diagnosed with autism, my wife and I were thrown into a world we didn’t fully understand. We had to learn quickly, advocate fiercely, and navigate systems that often weren’t built with kids like Liam in mind.

I’ve seen firsthand the fear in a parent’s eyes during a meltdown in public, the judgment from strangers who don’t “see” autism, and the panic of wondering how a first responder might react if my son couldn’t speak for himself. Those moments stick with you—and they fueled my mission.

I started ASU because I believe every child on the spectrum deserves to be seen, understood, and safe. And every parent deserves to know someone is standing with them. Whether it’s helping a police officer know what to do in a high-stress moment, giving a business the tools to welcome autistic customers with compassion, or helping families build a safety plan that brings peace of mind—I want to be part of that change.

This isn’t just a business. It’s my promise to Liam, and to every family walking this journey, that they’re not alone.

— Christopher Szydelko, Founder & Father