Richboro, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) joined students at Richboro Elementary School in the Council Rock School District, and Mikayla’s Voice, a local nonprofit, to celebrate Autism Awareness Month with a reading of Super Brady: Always on the Move, a children’s book written and illustrated by elementary students to honor their classmate with autism.
“Creating truly inclusive schools means more than recognizing differences—it means celebrating them,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “When students share stories like Super Brady, they not only build literacy skills, they build empathy, understanding, and a stronger school community. Mikayla’s Voice inspires us to keep moving toward a future where every learner is welcomed, included, and empowered.”
Super Brady: Always on the Move was written by then fourth grade students at Spring Garden Elementary School in 2017, about their friendships and learning opportunities with their classmate Brady, who has autism. Brady and his classmates worked together to write and illustrate the book, which has been donated to every third, fourth, and fifth grade classroom across two counties, and to every public elementary school in Pennsylvania.
“We couldn’t be more ecstatic to partner with Dr. Rowe to spread awareness and promote advocacy for youth with autism,” said Rita Cheskiewicz, Executive Director of Mikayla’s Voice. “Our book Super Brady Always on the Move is a perfect example of the type of valuable dialogue that should be initiated in every classroom - one that encourages friendships among youth of all ages with and without disabilities”
Founded in honor of Mikayla, a young woman born with a brain injury, Mikayla’s Voice empowers children of all abilities to promote inclusion through books, art, and athletic programs. The organization’s mission is to inspire students to embrace differences and to speak up for others through their own actions and voices.
“Mikayla’s Voice reinforces the importance of including all students of all abilities and complimented the culture that exists within our school community and the Council Rock School District perfectly,” said Gina Booth, Richboro Elementary School Principal. “Our students gained additional perspectives and participated in a specially designed mural project that will serve as a visual reminder of the mission of Mikayla’s Voice: to create a kind, inclusive, safe place where all students feel they have a friend.”
Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has increased funding for special education in Pennsylvania by $150 million. Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal continues to build on the foundation the Administration has laid over the past few years, including investing an additional $526 million in K-12 education and an additional increase of $40 million in special education funding. PDE has been making strides in student literacy, providing grants and professional development opportunities for educators, focusing on literacy instruction, and ensuring students have access to effective reading instruction.
Access to comprehensive health insurance coverage is also critically important, as treatment for mental health, including autism services, and substance use disorders is essential to the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians. That’s why at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), Commissioner Michael Humphreys has directed health insurers to align with mental health parity laws and provide coverage for autism benefits in the same way they do for medical and surgical benefits. This ensures equivalent coverage of autism benefits is a reality for tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians with autism, allowing them to access and afford the mental health services they need in the same way they do for physical health services. Mental health parity further prevents insurers from imposing more restrictive limits (like a higher copay or lower annual visits caps) on mental health care compared to medical or surgical care.
To learn more about Mikayla’s Voice, visit their website at www.mikaylasvoice.org.