Fourteen years ago, we founded Ella’s Hope with a simple but powerful goal: to create a better world for individuals with autism—starting with our own daughter, Ella. Diagnosed at age two, Ella’s journey became our mission. What began as a personal story quickly grew into a community effort. Along the way, our son Luke was also diagnosed with autism, deepening our understanding of the diverse spectrum and fueling our passion for advocacy and support.
Ella, now a vibrant 20-year-old, lives with autism, OCD, and anxiety. She inspires us daily with her love of art, puzzles, and numbers. Luke, our energetic 16-year-old, is non-verbal and faces significant challenges due to autism and sensory processing disorder—but his love for music, movement, and joy reminds us what it means to connect without words.
Ella’s Hope has evolved to meet the needs of families like ours across the lifespan—from early diagnosis to adulthood. We champion assistive communication, inclusive social opportunities like Girls’ Night Out, and partnerships that empower individuals and caregivers alike.
As we launch this new website, we invite you to join us—whether you’re a parent, professional, supporter, or friend. Our journey with Ella and Luke is filled with challenges, laughter, and love—and we hope our story inspires you to believe in what’s possible.
Together, let’s keep hope alive.
— Hope McPheeters, Co-Founder and Mom
