Rachel Fischer, founder of The Most Au-Some Journey, has taken personal experience and molded it into a mission to empower and connect families navigating the complex world of neurodiversity.

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A Journey Born from Personal Experience

Rachel’s path to advocacy began three years ago when her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Faced with the challenges of navigating therapies, schedules, doctors, and resources, Rachel recognized a critical gap in support for families like hers. “I wanted to create a community where families like mine could find out what community services were available to us, and how to explore locations in our area (and beyond) that benefit the neurodiverse community,” Rachel explains.

The Most Au-Some Journey: A Beacon of Support

In April 2023, Rachel launched The Most Au-Some Journey, a travel blog and local resource dedicated to helping neurodiverse families embrace adventure. Her blog features in-depth writing that takes readers into the heart of businesses supporting inclusivity, with a special focus on how these organizations hire and nurture neurodiverse individuals.

Rachel’s innovative approach includes creating her own scale to evaluate locations based on attributes like accessibility and proprioception, providing invaluable insights for families planning outings or trips.

Building a Digital Community

The impact of Rachel’s work is evident in the rapid growth of her Instagram channel, which gained over 1,000 followers in a remarkably short time. Her social media presence offers a candid look into neurodiverse realities and serves as a go-to resource for families seeking guidance and support.

Bucks County Neurodivergent Family Connections

Recognizing the need for in-person support, Rachel co-founded Bucks County Neurodivergent Family Connections with her friend and fellow autism parent, Bethie Magid. This free monthly support group provides a safe space for caregivers and parents to discuss challenges and access expert resources. “We also provide periodic visits from experts in fields that would be a great resource for the families that attend, such as educational advocates and babysitters for families with children with special needs,” Rachel shares.

Making Waves in the Community

Rachel’s work has been featured on the front page of The Doylestown Cardinal and in Bucks County Parent. True to her mission, Rachel saw these media opportunities not as personal accolades but as platforms to raise awareness about neurodiverse resources and connect more families to support.

Looking to the Future

Rachel aims to transition The Most Au-Some Journey into a certified non-profit to expand her community outreach. She also plans to become a certified Autism Travel Agent, allowing her to help families plan trips that cater to their unique needs.

Perhaps most ambitiously, Rachel hopes to create employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, addressing a critical gap in the job market for this often overlooked population.

A Personal Mission

At the heart of Rachel’s work is a deeply personal mission. “My job is to make sure that my son feels welcomed in our world,” she states. “I see how his siblings treat him, and how inclusion is something that we are born understanding. The difficulties of the world cause people to see those with differences and count them out. I want to continue fighting for inclusion so that my son, and so many others like him, feel welcomed and valued in our community.”Rachel Fischer’s journey from a concerned parent to a community leader is nothing short of inspiring. Through The Most Au-Some Journey and her various initiatives, Rachel continues to make a significant impact on neurodiverse families in Bucks County and beyond.