Amellaly (Ally) Martinez knows firsthand the value of connecting with other parents whose children have similar diagnoses. Her two youngest sons received autism diagnoses and she suspects autism in her older son. Ally said she felt lost and alone.
She turned to a parent support group where she learned about Special Day for Special Kids. Hosted annually by Raising Special Kids and the Rotary Club of Scottsdale, Special Day for Special Kids provides an opportunity for families of children with disabilities to connect and find resources. From there, Ally became involved in parent groups and was frequently the only Spanish-speaking member. She found a passion for providing information in English and Spanish to other parents of children with disabilities.
This passion led Ally to apply for a position at Raising Special Kids, where she serves as Family Support Specialist – Early Intervention. She processes referrals to the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) from families and professionals. She also responds to phone calls and emails in English or Spanish from individuals seeking more information.
“For me, to be able to help another parent feel less alone is the best,” Ally said. She especially enjoys sharing resources with Spanish-speaking families, who might not be as familiar with available resources.
Ally grew up in Nogales, Arizona and moved to the Phoenix metro area as a young adult to find more employment opportunities. She worked as a receptionist and an administrative assistant before taking time off to care for her children, three sons and a daughter. She joined the Raising Special Kids team in April 2023.
“My sons’ diagnoses opened my eyes and changed my perspective,” Ally added. “Now I know there is a community for families, and they are not alone.”