Aisha Christa Atkinson

Hope For Three is honored to introduce our April Autism Superhero, Aisha Christa Atkinson!

Aisha holds numerous esteemed roles, including Instructional Leader and Acting Assistant Principal at Stafford Early Childhood Center, the esteemed 2023 Texas Mother of the Year—a title bestowed by American Mothers, Inc.—a board member for the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA), and a committee chair for the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE). Above all, she takes immense pride in being the mother of Aries Reign Williams, a non-speaking youth advocate with disabilities.

The journey of motherhood for Aisha began on November 11, 2017, with the birth of Aries, who made his entry into the world at 23 weeks’ gestation, weighing just one pound and eleven ounces, and with only a 20% chance of survival. Complications soon exacerbated when Aries developed Grade III and Grade IV intraventricular hemorrhages, leading to hydrocephalus—a rare neurological condition. Despite the daunting prognosis, Aries, with an indomitable spirit, faced numerous surgeries and challenges during his 150-day stay in the NICU.

Amidst these challenges, Aisha, who was then fully employed as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Lead Teacher within LCISD, epitomized resilience and dedication. She balanced her professional responsibilities with her commitment to supporting and advocating for Aries and other vulnerable youths, enriching her knowledge on pediatric neurosurgery, micro prematurity, and caring for a medically fragile infant. Witnessing her son’s fight for life inspired Aisha to strive towards becoming the best version of herself, dedicating her efforts to make Aries as proud of her as she was of him.

Almost six years on, Aries, now in kindergarten, continues to surpass expectations despite dealing with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. Aisha’s experiences have taught her the immense power behind words and the importance of fostering love, light, and optimism in every life. She passionately advocates for seeing and speaking positivity into the lives of others.

In her leisure, Aisha contributes as a writer and public speaker to several platforms advocating for premature and disabled children and their caregivers. She indulges in reading, traveling, and exploring graphic design. Aisha manages the Instagram account @KingAriesReigns for her son, aiming not only to raise awareness but also to showcase the happiness in raising a child with special needs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective of the world.

Congratulations, Aisha for fulfilling the role of April’s Autism SuperHero. It is well deserved!