NJ-2026-0139: Single mother who left her job to care for her nonverbal 4-year-old daughter with autism and developmental delays

FAMILY BACKGROUND:
A single mother in Lincoln Park is raising her 4-year-old daughter, who is nonverbal and autistic, with developmental delays. Her daughter needs many kinds of therapy, including physical, occupational, behavioral and speech, along with regular visits to doctors and specialists. Mom faced a hard choice between keeping her job and keeping her daughter's appointments, and she chose to let her job go so she could give her daughter the full attention she needs and be her voice. That decision has put a heavy financial burden on the family. She has stretched every dollar and used every resource she can find, and she stays joyful for her daughter every day even though she worries at night. Christmas used to bring her joy, but over the past few years it has brought sadness and guilt. A tree, presents under it, new clothes, and the pink bike her daughter is so fascinated by would mean so much to them both, and would let her see her daughter hold something she could not tell her she wanted. She is also hoping for information about a case manager who can help connect her daughter with a dentist and therapists who understand her needs.

CITY: Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
COUNTY: Morris
HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 2
HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HOUSEHOLD: Autism; intellectual disability; developmental or learning disability, including ADHD

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD:
Age: 31
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Women's 2X
Shoe Size: Women's 10.5
Wishlist: Gift cards (ShopRite, Amazon, Visa, AutoZone), white Nike sneakers

CHILD #1:
Age: 4
Sex: Female
Clothing Size: Toddler 5T
Shoe Size: Kids 11.5
Wishlist: Pink bike with training wheels, 5T jeans or leggings, 5T black winter coat or sweaters, size 11.5 kids sneakers or boots, 5-minute story books (Disney and Pixar), sensory stemming toys, gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, Target)