Community Connection: Meet Candace Perreault
Next up in our Community Connection series, we welcome Candace Perreault! Candace shares her experience co-founding Rock the Spectrum in addition to her family’s experience in the Inclyousion Sports program. We know you’re going to feel inspired to take action on whatever you feel passionate about after reading her story!
Community Connection will share perspectives from people who are involved in inclusion work, across diverse careers and community volunteer roles, as well as through personal experiences. We hope that through reading about experiences and ideas from people in your community, you feel inspired to continue on your own journey towards building a more inclusive world.
Rock the Spectrum Co-Founders: Keri McGloin (L), Candace Perreault (C), & Katie Billingsley (R).
Please share a little about yourself.
Hi! My name is Candace Perreault & I am a Co-Founder of Rock the Spectrum and proud Autism Mom to Charles, who is 9 years old. My husband Nate & I bought our first home in Danvers 10 years ago and absolutely love this town. I am a lifelong North Shore girl (except for my college years) and could not imagine living anywhere else! Back in 2016 when Charles received his official Autism Diagnosis, I met fellow Autism Moms & Rock the Spectrum Co-Founders; Keri McGloin & Katie Billingsley through the Northeast Arc Autism Support Center (ASC). We all attended the same support group that was being run by the ASC and the three of us instantly connected as Rose (Keri’s daughter) and Natalie (Katie’s daughter) were also recently diagnosed with Autism and were the same age as Charles. In this support group, we met some amazing Autism Moms from all different towns in the North Shore. We would all share stories; there was lots of laughter, tears, and just that sense of finally finding people who could understand exactly what I was going through. It wasn’t long before we started a tradition of grabbing post-support group Margaritas!
What was the catalyst for starting Rock the Spectrum, and how has this initiative grown since your first event in 2019?
In addition to attending the support groups, Katie, Keri & I also participated in a variety of workshops that covered topics like Special Ed Law, Advocacy & IEP’s, along with attending events for families or outings just for parents – all put on by the Autism Support Center (ASC). We were quickly able to see the positive impact the ASC was having on the local Autism Community. And in speaking with Gloria Castillo, who is the Director of the ASC’s Family Support Centers, we learned that the ASC was also helping local autism families in need by providing funding for important necessities such as advocacy, co-pays for speech & OT, respite care, speech generating devices, swim lessons, YMCA memberships and so much more. This was all we needed to hear and the three of us knew that we wanted to help. And in May 2019 we held our first fundraiser (which was 80’s themed – we’re BIG into themes!) at the Northeast Arc’s Blackbox theatre in Peabody, which sold out incredibly fast & we raised over $10,000. We were THRILLED and instantly realized we could really help make a difference. There was a slight pause due to the pandemic, but during this time we were selling wine glasses, holding virtual 5K’s – doing pretty much everything we could to continue to raise funds. Gloria would tell us of families who were calling in, not only for help with co-pays, but needed money for groceries, rent, and utility bills as many were losing their jobs or furloughed without pay. This was eye-opening and definitely pushed us to make our 2021 Rock the Spectrum fundraising event even bigger. So, we planned a Masquerade-themed gala at Danversport and quickly sold out of 200 tickets and raised over $50,000. Most recently in November 2022, our Great Gatsby-themed Gala raised over $80,000 and we sold out of 300+ tickets in record timing! Since 2019, with the help of our AMAZING supporters (seriously, they are the BEST of the BEST!), we have raised over $150,000 for the Autism Support Center.
What is your vision for the future of Rock the Spectrum, and how will it continue to support families of children with autism?
We will let your wonderful blog community in on a little secret…we have submitted the paperwork to become our own Non-Profit! We always knew this was our long-term goal - one that we honestly thought would take A LOT longer to achieve. And it was made possible by our amazing support system, which consists of family, friends, colleagues, local businesses, fellow autism parents, Special Educators, BCBA’s, SLP’s, OT’s and so many more! Turning RTS into a non-profit allows us to expand our reach of programs that can benefit from funding, and we will continue to provide funding to the ASC and the countless families they support.
If a parent sees a gap or need in offerings or support for their child and they want to create change like you’ve done with Rock the Spectrum, what advice would you share on where to begin?
As a parent, you are your child’s number 1 advocate and it’s so important to use your voice. Start the discussion with your school administrators, contact local organizations like the Northeast Arc and their Autism Support Center – they are an excellent resource! Get involved - attend support groups, workshops, and events. Not only are they informative, but you meet many amazing people and make those special connections.
How do you prioritize caring for yourself while you juggle your responsibilities as a wife, parent, full time employee, founder…(the list goes on)?
I am a big believer in “self-care” – I am a better wife, mom, colleague and friend when I make that time for myself. And that could be something as simple as a quick walk on the rail trail while I blast 90’s hip hop on my headphones, scrolling my Instagram feed while sipping on a coffee or an XL sized glass of wine, going on a solo trip to Target or Home Goods and aimlessly walking the aisles, or treating myself to a massage or facial. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5 minutes or 50 minutes – it’s just important for me to make that time. Most recently I have re-joined Title Boxing and that has certainly helped as an added stress reliever!
What is one thing parents of children of all abilities could do to better support each other?
This may sound cliché but, in my opinion, it’s being kind to one another. Kindness goes a LONG way. It’s as simple as saying hi to another parent and asking how they’re doing. It’s parents teaching their children to always include others; whether it’s asking their peer to participate in a game at recess or sit with them in the cafeteria at lunch. Small little gestures like these can really have the biggest impact.
Why is it important for parents of neurotypical children to prioritize inclusion, particularly when it comes to education and extracurricular activities?
If children are learning at a young age to always include others regardless of their abilities, they will likely continue this throughout their lives. I’ll use my neighbors as an example. They have 4 neurotypical children ages 13, 10, 8 & 6. The kids have always included Charles whether it’s jumping on the trampoline, shooting hoops, playing chase or swimming in the pool with him. They’re always so kind to him, and will ask, “How was school today, Charles?” to which he will just answer “good”. They know he can’t have a full-on conversation with them about his day, but that doesn’t stop them from treating Charles any differently. They see him as Charles, their neighborhood friend.
We know that introducing new extracurricular activities to children who may have had a difficult prior experience or who is a first timer can be challenging for children with and without disabilities. As a parent of a child enrolled in Inclyousion Sports, if a parent is considering trying a new extracurricular like Inclyousion Sports, but isn’t sure if their child is ready, is there any advice you would offer based on your own experience?
Having Charles be a part of Inclyousion Sports since September 2021, has been the best experience. Not only has it been amazing seeing him take to certain sports like basketball and soccer, but he is learning to be more patient (waiting his turn), being a part of a team (cheering on his peers), and it’s giving him that socialization aspect that’s in a completely judgement-free environment. It’s more than just sports, it’s helping him with day-to-day life skills, and he has made some great friendships along the way! For a child who has extremely limited vocabulary/vocalizations and uses a speech generating device to communicate, I can’t tell you how awesome it is seeing him interact with coaches and peers every weekend. Sign your child up – you won’t regret it!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I know I spoke a lot about the amazing Autism Moms I have met, but there is also an Autism Dads support group that my husband Nate & Keri’s husband Dan started back in 2019. They meet the last Thursday of every month at Twisted Fate Brewing in Danvers. It’s an AWESOME group of dads & caregivers. If you’re interested, please reach out to us! We are currently working on our website, but for now, we can be found on Facebook (Rock the Spectrum Foundation) or on Instagram; @rock_the_spectrum
“If children are learning at a young age to always include others regardless of their abilities, they will likely continue this throughout their lives. ”
And for those interested, please Save the Date for our next Gala which will be held on Friday, November 17th at Danversport – the theme is DISCO! (I told you; we LOVE a good theme party.) Additional details will be out later this year!
A big thank you to Candace for sharing her story and inspiring us to take action on things that are important to us! Follow Rock the Spectrum on Instagram and Facebook and be sure to get involved with their upcoming fundraising efforts.
