Imagine your child is unable to communicate their basic needs or emotions. For many families in Bermuda, this is a daily reality.

Autism — also known as autism-spectrum disorder — is a developmental condition that affects how people communicate, learn and interact with the world around them. It exists within the broader concept of neurodiversity, which recognises that everyone’s brain functions in unique ways. Neurodiversity includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other developmental differences — each bringing their own strengths, perspectives and ways of learning.

At Tomorrow’s Voices, we celebrate this diversity but also acknowledge the steep and lifelong challenges these individuals and their families will face. We believe that every individual, regardless of diagnosis or ability, deserves the chance to be understood, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

With autism rates rising worldwide — now affecting approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States — the need for accessible, evidence-based support is greater than ever. We are often the lifeline that makes connection possible — providing life-changing therapy and education for children, teens and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, and helping them to find their voices and thrive.

Tomorrow’s Voices-Bermuda Autism Early Intervention Centre was founded in 2007 by two parents, Tricia Kristoff (née Crow) and Thea Furbert, who saw first-hand the lack of local services for children on the autism spectrum. They envisioned a place where families could access world-class, research-based therapy close to home.

Eighteen years on, and 136,422 clinical hours of therapy later, that vision has grown into a national resource for Bermuda’s families. What began as an early-intervention programme has evolved into a comprehensive clinical centre that offers:

• 1:1 Early Intervention

• Saturday Social Skills Programme

• Summer Programme

•Thriving Beyond 21 Adult Programme

•University Internship Programme

• Bimonthly Training Institute Workshops

Tomorrow’s Voices is the only charitable clinical centre of its kind in Bermuda, where clients receive medically recognised therapy delivered by highly trained professionals at a subsidised rate.

Our Early Intervention Programme uses Applied Behaviour Analysis, a globally recognised, evidence-based approach that helps children to build communication, and social and life skills.

One family recently shared their child’s remarkable journey. When therapy began, their child could make only single-word requests. Through consistent, personalised support, they began to form full sentences: “I want the…,” “Can I have the…,” and “May I have the…” — and eventually gained the confidence to perform as lead singer in a school Christmas play. Their parents’ tears of joy captured what we see every day: progress that changes childhoods.

These changes shift life trajectory.

Often referred to as a “school”, Tomorrow’s Voices is much more. Our model of reverse inclusion prepares clients through 1:1 therapy to transition successfully into home, school and community settings. We help clients to build independence, confidence and social skills — laying the foundation for full inclusion in everyday life.

The need for evidence-based autism support continues to grow, and Tomorrow’s Voices is growing with it. Our future plans include expanding our team of clinical professionals and introducing speech, language and occupational therapy services to ensure that no family in Bermuda go without the support they need.

We are also committed to expanding access to high-quality therapy in Applied Behaviour Analysis for families facing financial barriers, and to increasing community understanding of neurodiversity through sustained education and outreach.

A call to support Bermuda’s neurodiverse community

At Tomorrow’s Voices, we believe every child deserves the chance to be understood, supported and included. With the right intervention, communication blossoms, independence grows and families find hope.

Our work depends on the generosity of donors, volunteers and community partners who share our belief that every voice matters. Together, we can ensure that Bermuda continues to build an inclusive society where neurodiverse individuals of all ages can thrive.

• Jahnae Harvey, PhD is the executive director of Tomorrow’s Voices. To learn more or to support our work, visit www.tomorrowsvoices.bm. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector