. (WYMT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one Laurel County family is sharing their journey and how the community can help support them, one sweet treat at a time.
6-year-old girl named Mia is the inspiration behind EmMi’s Bakery in Laurel County, where a mother-daughter duo is raising awareness for autism.
When Mia isn’t playing outside, she’s most likely in the kitchen helping her mom bake. Last year, Emily Miller and her daughter started EmMi’s Bakery, making and selling homemade treats from a stand outside their home.
“I got on TikTok and I saw people have little farm stands and I was like, that would be so fun to do! That is something I would like to start, but I wanted to have a reason why,” Emily Miller said.
Mia was diagnosed with level-three autism when she was two years old and goes to therapy twice a week.
“She’s level three , so she’s completely non-verbal she’ll need the most support,” Miller said. “She makes wonderful strides. So, I do think eventually she will be somewhat independent.”
The therapy can be costly. Miller said 40% of the bakery’s proceeds go toward Mia’s therapy and related expenses. Emily says Mia also has a savings account that receives a portion of each purchase.
Beyond raising money for treatment, Miller said their bigger purpose is to bring awareness to autism.
“I put little stickers on there [treat bags] and there’s pens and stuff. Just for people to say like ‘what is this?’ I mean just anything, if people have questions. I have a lot of people who message me personally and ask me things about how to get their child diagnosed,” Miller said.
Whether you purchase chocolate chip cookies or peanut butter fudge- each purchase goes far beyond the sale.
“This wasn’t my life before I had her. I had no idea about autism, so now I feel like it is my mission to spread it so people are more aware of the signs and what to look for,” she said.
To view when and how you can purchase from EmMi’s Bakery, follow their Facebook page.