While April is Autism Acceptance Month, it's never been about just one month for Saint Joseph's University men's basketball head coach Steve Donahue; it's about how he can use his platform to make a daily impact on those who are viewed as different because of their neurodiversity.

"The more we can make people aware of the different situations surrounding those with autism, the better understanding we will have of each other," Donahue said. "Especially with kids and adults on the spectrum."

Autism awareness is something close to Donahue's heart. 

Growing up in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania, Donahue was introduced to neurodiversity at a very young age. His older brother, Jackie, has a severe form of autism. 

"As a family, we embraced it," Donahue said. "It helped me understand that everyone is different, and taught me how to be more accepting and empathetic toward others."

According to the American Psychological Association, autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, including difficulties with social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication behaviors, and social relationships, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of interests, behaviors, and/or activities.

There are many forms of autism, usually categorized into three levels based on severity and the level of support an individual may need. Autism, Asperger's disorder and childhood disintegrative disorder are now all diagnosed as ASD. 

However, the research, statistics, and support weren't always there, especially when Jackie was younger. Donahue noticed the difference after his oldest son, Matthew, was diagnosed with autism early in elementary school.

"From the time I grew up to the time Matt was a child, I saw great growth in autism awareness, research and support," Donahue said. "Everyone realizes that people on the spectrum are smart and valuable, but need secondary education and additional support to reach their full potential."

"In the early 2000s, we saw a real jump in autism and its numbers," said Theresa McFalls, LSW, Ed.D., the executive director of St. Joe's Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. "Since then, a ton of research has come out. In the early days it was more about changing the person with autism to adapt to society, and we've seen a shift in changing the way society can adapt and support the person with autism, and the shift is so critical and neuroaffirming."

McFalls, who will celebrate her 15th anniversary at the Kinney Center this summer, oversees all of the programming and operations for the center. Before assuming her current role, McFalls led the Kinney Center's ASPIRE Program, which provides support for St. Joe's students with autism as they navigate through college. 

ASPIRE, or the Autism Support Promoting Inclusive and Responsive Education Program, was a crucial aspect of Matt's decision to come to Hawk Hill. McFalls, who served as Matt's counselor during his time at the Kinney Center, was a part of helping the Donahues choose St. Joe's.

Matt, who was diagnosed at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, when his dad was coaching at Cornell, has high-functioning autism and is part of ASD's Level 1. The lowest level of autism means that the individual "requires support" and can suffer from deficits in social situations. 

While Matt relied on support from counselors and professors early on, he quickly became independent. McFalls recalled sitting down with Matt and helping him register for classes during his first few semesters on campus; however, it didn't take long for Matt to be able to complete what can be a stressful and chaotic task on his own.

A 2021 graduate of St. Joe's, Matt has excelled in life thanks to his support system, adaptability and independence. Always known for his love and knowledge of politics, Matt received a bachelor's degree in political science and government.

"Matt and I did a lot of things together in the beginning," McFalls said. "We built a really good relationship and had a lot of trust in each other. He became more and more comfortable with doing things on his own because of that. Matt always wanted to be independent, and I knew that he could be. He really proved that during our time working together."

"He's done an incredible job getting through this and understanding how to deal with it," Donahue said. "That's him. As he's gotten into adulthood, he's really dealt with it greatly. He's incredibly smart, one of the smartest people I've known. His knowledge and understanding of our world are amazing."

The Kinney Center has been supporting students on the spectrum, like Matt, since its inception in 2009. It has continued to grow into one of the most impactful autism support centers in the region.

Kinney's mission is twofold. 

First, the center aims to train undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in working in the autism field. They provide training, education and employment. 

The second part of Kinney's mission is to provide support and services to the autism community. The center offers a wide variety of programs for children, college students and adults, with community and recreation programs. 

"There is such a great outpouring of support for the Kinney Center," Donahue said. "I love the support that St. Joe's Athletics shows for the center because there is so much potential for those who take advantage of it. My wish is that every school or organization has something like the Kinney Center to help us as a society take bigger strides toward being more accepting."

The Kinney Center is perfectly placed in a "hotbed" for autism awareness and research. While there are many autism support centers in the area, some of the most impactful revolve around sports and athletics.

Most notably, the Eagles Autism Foundation uses the platform of sport in Philadelphia to raise millions of dollars each year for autism research and action. Along with the Eagles having a sensory room at Lincoln Financial Field, other teams in the area have started to adopt similar action plans by hosting autism awareness games and charitable events. 

"What we have with our sports teams and college athletics programs in this region is unlike any other," McFalls said. "In society, sport unifies people. When you intertwine autism and sports, it serves as a great platform and foundation to raise awareness and call to action."

To continue the bond between autism awareness and sports, the Kinney Center and St. Joe's Athletics have an almost decade-long collaborative relationship. 

From teams on campus hosting autism awareness games to student athletes volunteering at the center, St. Joe's Athletics plays a major role in supporting the success of the Kinney Center. Now, more teams and athletes are involved with the center than ever before.

The women's soccer team hosts a weekly walk with ASPIRE students. The men's lacrosse team plays weekly pickup basketball games with ASPIRE students. The men's and women's basketball programs run clinics for children and adults in the autism community. The field hockey team hosts an autism awareness game to raise funds for the Kinney Center.

"It has been really cool to see the involvement from our student athletes," McFalls said. "Some of those athletes have started as volunteers and loved the work they did so much that they have joined our center to receive the necessary education and training in the autism space."

One of the biggest collaborative events between St. Joe's Athletics and the Kinney Center is the annual Autism Awareness Game at Hagan Arena. Along with hosting the game and taking part in basketball clinics hosted by the Kinney Center, Donahue's team also volunteers at the SJU Kinney Center 5K Walk/Run for Autism, which happens every fall. 

For the Kinney Center, having Donahue use his platform to promote autism awareness as a leader on campus is special, given his personal history with autism and his family ties to the University. For Donahue, it's never been about publicity; it's always been about doing the right thing.

"Steve is not just talking the talk, he's walking the walk because of his lived experiences," McFalls said. "He really gets it. He understands how important raising awareness and calling to action is. It is all genuine. What we get from Steve, we know it comes from the heart. He does it because it is meaningful, and that is what's really special."

"I'm just doing what you should be doing as a human being," Donahue said. "It's my responsibility to teach my players that, no matter what situation they are in. I always try to be as supportive as I can be, and I think we should all do that."