"For the Love of Evan" sheds light on life with Autism

Evan Tackett is a fifth grade student. He loves to watch sports, read books, and travel. He also has high-functioning Autism.

“For the Love of Evan” is a Facebook page dedicated to giving others a look into life on the spectrum through pictures, videos, and anecdotes from Evan’s mother, Jenny Cline-Tackett.

Evan was diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism at the age of four after going through a six-month process at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

“The only thing I knew of Autism was a section in a chapter I had taken in a special education class,” Jenny said. “The first thing I did was come home and order book after book to understand my son. I wanted to know everything I could about Autism and how I could understand him best and help him.”

Jenny said she has found that when people do not understand a disability, they are afraid. She wants people to understand Autism, so that they are not scared of the unknown.

“I want others to see that an Autism diagnosis is not always a bad thing,” Cline-Tackett said. “My Evan is a very special young man who has brought so much joy to my life.”

Jenny said Evan has taught her several valuable lessons, but the two most important are patience and understanding. She said that you cannot have one without the other.

“With my understanding came patience and lots of it,” Jenny said. “Raising a child on the spectrum is not easy. It requires a lot of planning.”

Jenny wants to educate the public about Autism and how they can interact, communicate with, and include not only her son, but also other people with disabilities in the community.

“I have opened our lives up so that others can see that we can laugh and have so much fun,” Jenny said. “In our home, we always say there is never a dull day to be had with an Evan around. I can come home from work and be stressed out but my Evan can always make me smile without fail.”

Evan has a younger sister, Emma, who is currently in the third grade. “I am in awe of my daughter daily,” Jenny said. “It's easy to forget that she is a child sometimes. She has always been understanding of her brother. She can communicate with him better than most people.”

“Being a sister to a brother with Autism is not easy,” Jenny said. “Emma has had to take a backseat to Evan, sometimes, and has learned to handle those setbacks with grace. I have always made it a priority to make things up to her. We have always had open discussions about Autism and what it means for us as a family.”

Jenny said her life has changed in many ways since Evan’s diagnosis. “My career path and focus changed. My heart is set on making this world a better place for my son and other children that struggle,” Jenny said. “I have learned to slow down and appreciate even the smallest moments.”

Jenny said that since Evan’s diagnosis, she has become more aware of the beautiful moments of life. “Before, life was so hectic that I never stopped to appreciate those moments,” Jenny said. “I celebrate when he tries a new food, when he told his first lie, when he said ‘I love you, Mom,’ when he made a friend, told his first joke, went under water, and learned to swim.”

Jenny said she wants people to know that her son is resilient. “He is one of the happiest people I know. He does not care what people think of him,” Jenny said. “I don't feel sorry for my son. He has it right. Evan is comfortable in his skin and he doesn't look to fit in with the crowd. He does what makes him happy. If everyone else viewed the world as my son does, then it would be a lot better place. I can't imagine how nice it would be to just be myself without worrying what others think of me. Evan he does just that. He is smart, funny, and so much fun to be around. He has taught me lessons on kindness, compassion, and most of how to love without condition.”