Virginia Beach mayor proclaims April as Autism Awareness Month; Eliza Hope Foundation founder speaks

Mayor Robert M. "Bobby" Dyer read and presented a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Autism Awareness Month in Virginia Beach and called on residents to increase understanding, inclusion and support for people on the autism spectrum.

The proclamation, read aloud by the mayor, described autism spectrum disorder as a complex developmental disability that affects social interaction, communication and behavior and cited Centers for Disease Control 2025 data noting that about 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The proclamation called for public awareness, acceptance and support to help individuals with autism access services, education and opportunities.

Amy Jarby, founder and president of the Eliza Hope Foundation, accepted the proclamation and spoke about her daughter, Eliza, who was diagnosed with autism in 2014 and died in 2016 from complications of epilepsy. Jarby said the foundation grew from that personal experience into a local organization that provides support, therapy access and community programs for children with autism. "Acceptance is what changes lives," Jarby said.

Jarby also distributed a children's book she wrote about her daughter and invited council members and the public to use it as a resource to learn more about neurodiversity. The proclamation and Jarby's remarks were presented as part of the council's scheduled recognitions; no formal council vote on the proclamation was recorded in the meeting transcript beyond the mayor's reading and presentation.