'Life-changing': Cohasset mom starts nonprofit for families with neurodiverse children

COHASSET – Candice Hartford, of Cohasset, has three children: twin 6-year-old boys Grady and Keaton, who have autism, and 4-year-old Isla, who is neurotypical.

Grady was diagnosed in March 2017 and is nonverbal. Keaton was diagnosed in 2018 and is verbal.

Hartford's desire to have safe, inclusive activities for the children and a community for parents with similar experiences led her to launch Raising Harts, a nonprofit that works to connect and empower families with neurodiverse children, in March.

Hartford said 75 to 100 families are involved.

"It's changed my life in so many ways ," Hartford said. "I get to do things with my family that I've wanted to do for so long."

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Hartford said there is no parent connection when a child is diagnosed with autism. She searched for a parent network when her children were diagnosed, but because of HIPPA confidentiality rules, she couldn't get parents' contact information from doctors.

"The most powerful tool that we all have is other parents," Hartford said. "Other special needs parents are amazing because they have to be, they're the advocates. We have to help build each other up."

Her twins were in integrated preschool and 30 hours of therapy a week when the pandemic hit. Hartford said she struggled to find activities for her children and time for herself.

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Through Raising Harts, she planned structured events and found safe venues to host the organization at a discounted rate for families. The first big event was open play at Cheer Factor Gym in Hanover.

"People would come up to me, shaking and with tears in their eyes, like, 'Oh my god, I was so scared to come and I'm so glad I did. It's the first time I've actually felt like I could just be mom. I don't have to be the autism mom. I'm just mom,'" Hartford said.

For Mother's Day, Raising Harts hosted a yoga class for caretakers at Open Doors Yoga in Weymouth by instructors Kim Spear, of Cohasset, and Jen Murphy, of Scituate. Blush in Bloom, of Marshfield, donated about 40 bouquets for the caretakers.

"Everyone cried because it was the first time we've ever had anything like it," Hartford said.

Raising Harts families get weekly soccer instruction at City Arena in Pembroke, which will be an official partner. Called Inclusive Kicks, the program focuses on soccer skills without the competitive aspect.

"It's just nice because no one has to apologize for their kid not staying there or standing where they're supposed to or anything," Hartford said. "You could see the kids' confidence building."

Inclusive Kicks will continue through the summer. Eventually, other sports will be added.

Raising Harts events are open to everyone.

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"We need to build tolerance," Hartford said. "'Autism awareness' used to be the very big term. The community has changed it to be 'autism acceptance' instead because the thought is that it's not just enough to be aware, but more accepting."

The organization is hosting a sensory-friendly South Shore Autism Family Night at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at The Rivershed in Scituate. The outdoor patio sits 80.

Hartford wants this event to set an example for how other restaurants can be more accommodating. South Shore businesses are donating proceeds or time to the organization. The event will follow Evan's Run in Norwell.

"(Raising Harts has) completely changed my outlook on parenting. I'm excited again, I'm excited for what's to come. I'm proud of my kids, I'm proud to be an autism mom. I don't have the same anxiety I use to have of isolation," Hartford said.

Raising Harts will host inclusive crafts, a dentist tryout and a parent social at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Untold Brewing in Scituate.

Hartford said she hopes to create a parent-to-parent mentorship program by partnering with Boston hospitals and developmental pediatricians. She said older kids who are newly diagnosed could also benefit from the program.

Raising Harts is self-funded. Its board members include Lucy Silva, of Norwell, who started the Facebook group South Shore Parents and Children with ASD; Jessica Pratt, of Hanson; Liz Melevsky, of Norwell; Lisa Findley, of Pembroke; and Breezy Sweeney, of Middleboro.

"We're Raising Harts together as a community," Hartford said.

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Reach Alyssa Fell at afell@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Cohasset mom, Candice Hartford, starts non-profit Raising Harts