By DeAndra Dycus
www.indyautismproject.com Ali Brown is a newly elected City Councillor for the city of Indianapolis District 5. She is also a wife and a loving mother of a 4-year-old son named Dylan. Ali is what I like to call a Warrior Mom. Her courage is to be admired. Her son Dylan was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the young age of 2 1/2. Ali shared candidly with me how through early intervention her beloved Dylan was diagnosed quickly and treatment took place. She was extremely grateful for the swift thinking of her son’s therapist and medical practitioner. Through her son’s treatment and meeting other parents who had children on the spectrum, Ali quickly realized there were some major concerns in Indianapolis as it pertained to being equipped and educated to make the city inclusive to the needs of those on the spectrum. Ali also quickly noticed racial disparities of children on the spectrum. One key disparity is the time of diagnosis.
8 Special Needs Living • April 2021
Zach, Ali, Dylan Brown
Ali had an enthusiasm to run for the District 5 seat for the Indianapolis City Council, and with that enthusiasm came determination. “I ran for City-County Council to represent young families and what matters to them. I wanted to be a voice that is often unheard in government. I ran because I believe we need an equitable government that does the most for our most vulnerable.”
