Close-up of a blooming sunflower with yellow petals and a brown center, backlit by sunlight.

Compassion, Connection, and Support for Autism Families

A young girl with painted colorful flowers on her face, wearing earrings, smiling, with a large sunflower in her hair.

Stories, encouragement, and resources for families navigating autism

Open book with pages curled into a heart shape, sunlight shining in the background, outdoors with blurred trees and warm sunset colors.
Read Our Blog
View of a bakery window with blue framing, decorated with hanging flower baskets and colorful flowers outside. Warm, inviting interior lighting showcases baked goods inside.
Shop Our Store

Hearts on the Spectrum is a place of compassion and connection for autism families and those supporting different abilities. Through our stories, encouragement, and resources inspired by Jacob’s journey, we hope to offer understanding and strength to every family walking this path.

Three children walking through a field of wildflowers at sunset, silhouetted against the bright sun and golden sky.

Welcome to Hearts on the Spectrum

Hands holding a bright yellow sunflower against a sunset background in a field.
Meet Jacob
Hands forming a heart shape with wet sand on a sandy beach.

Because every family deserves a place to start — here are free tools from our heart to yours

Explore Our Free Resources Library

Take me to Free Resources Library

Start Here - Free Tools to Support Your Journey

Colorful watercolor splash with shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink
Colorful watercolor splash with reds, blues, yellows, and purples. 
Simple, visual tools created with love to help every child be heard, seen, and understood.

PECS Starter Set

A visual chart with icons and words related to bodily functions and hygiene. Top row shows options to say yes, no, ask for help, and wait. Middle row shows encouragement, stop, drink water, and eat. Bottom row has instructions to wash hands, brush teeth, go to the potty, or indicates feeling too much or overwhelmed.

Bright, easy-to-recognize picture cards, great for autistic and nonverbal children learning to communicate basic needs and actions. Ideal for younger children and early learners beginning their PECS journey with simple short word prompts with matching visual.

Free Download

PECS Safety Set

Collection of safety warning icons with text. Includes signs for hot, sharp, hot water, stop and wait, stove hot, do not touch, and hot candle. Also shows a person with a dog asking, a pool with stop and wait signs, a no sharp tool sign, and a no fire symbol.

Teach safety in a clear, visual way. Great for autistic and nonverbal children, a gentle tool to help children recognize danger and stay secure in everyday situations. Ideal for early learners beginning their PECS journey with simple short word prompts with matching visual.

Free Download
Abstract multicolored watercolor splash with blends of yellow, red, blue, purple, and orange on white background.

PECS Emoji Set

Grid of 12 emojis representing different emotions: Happy, Mad, Sick, Too Much!, Crying, Calm, Sad, Excited, UH OH!, Funny, Sleepy, Ouch-Hurt.

Help your child share their feelings, with these cute emoji-style cards. A simple, visual way to express emotions. Great for autistic and nonverbal children, Ideal for early learners beginning their PECS journey with simple short word prompts with matching visual.

Free Download

You’ll notice sunflowers blooming throughout our website — a gentle reminder of hidden disabilities and the unseen challenges many carry each day.
To us, the sunflower represents hope, understanding, and the light that shines even when others can’t see the struggle.
It’s our way of honoring every individual’s journey — seen and unseen — with compassion and love.

Close Up Photo of a Sunflower
Text displaying the phrase "A symbol of unseen strength and gentle courage" in elegant cursive font on a light background.
A close-up of a sunflower with bright yellow petals and a dark brown center, set in a sunflower field during sunset with warm, golden light.
A young girl with an oversized straw hat touches a sunflower in a sunflower field.