By Brittany
I met Lesly, the HealthySteps Specialist at our pediatrician’s office, during one of the most difficult and disorienting times in my life.
I had just learned that my son, then 18 months old, has autism. I was searching for answers while trying to absorb a flood of emotions and next steps, realizing that my child’s life might look different from what I had imagined. I consider myself a strong person, but this was one of the biggest tests I had faced, as a mom and as a person. I was in survival mode.
When Angelo was a baby, his dad and I noticed that some things weren’t adding up, even though he was reaching key milestones, like crawling. He didn’t make eye contact or respond to his name, and he wasn’t very affectionate. Then, around 18 months, we noticed a shift. Angelo became more hyperactive and had a lower tolerance for things he didn’t like. After talking with our pediatrician, we decided to have him evaluated, and he received an autism diagnosis.
I had trusted my instincts up to that point and felt relieved to have an answer, but the diagnosis also raised so many new questions. I questioned myself as a mom, wrestling with guilt, and I wondered where to begin and how to know what was truly best for Angelo.
“The figuring-out part is the hardest part—how to show up as a parent and how to get access to the support and resources your child needs.
Lesly was my saving grace, a true angel.”
– Brittany
“Brittany is a dedicated and resourceful mother who is never afraid to reach out for help and always looks for ways to support her children. Her determination to create a brighter future for her family is truly inspiring.”
– Lesly, HealthySteps Specialist, Zufall Health
Transformative support
Lesly had answers for us. She helped me navigate insurance coverage, identify high-quality specialized therapy, and even find a new apartment when we needed a better environment for Angelo. At the same time, she helped me process the roller coaster of emotions and begin to understand what life could look like for my son and for our family. Now, I can take in the happy moments, like seeing signs of how far he has come or watching him observe his older brother and mimic him.
Lesly’s support did more than help us get Angelo the care and services he needed; it helped me keep moving forward. I still have days when I struggle, trying to juggle being an advocate, a coach, and a mom without losing myself. But knowing that I have Lesly in my corner helps me keep going. It helps me stay firm in my belief that his future is bright.
I wish more support existed for parents like me.
I’m fortunate to have met Lesly and to have access to HealthySteps, but we can and should do more to support parents who are navigating one of the hardest journeys they will ever face, and the children who deserve high-quality care for the best and brightest future.
“Brittany carries herself with grace, finding the strength to smile even through tears. On challenging days, she serves as a powerful reminder of why this work is so meaningful and why supporting families matters so deeply.”
– Lesly, HealthySteps Specialist, Zufall Health
“I want other moms, other parents, who are going through this to know that they are not alone—and that it’s normal to struggle and feel overwhelmed.”
– Brittany
The HealthySteps program at Zufall Health was made possible in large part by federal investment from the Health Resources and Services Administration and will remain sustainable in part due to recent New Jersey legislation (P.L. 2025, c.369) that requires insurance companies to reimburse providers for preventive behavioral health services for children.