Dear Friend of STAR, 

So much of a child’s life happens beneath the surface — the unseen rhythms, sensations, and emotions that shape how they move, feel, and belong in the world. For many families, these invisible sensory experiences create daily challenges that are hard to name and even harder to navigate. 

For Dylan’s family, this was exactly their story.

“When Dylan was little, we felt there was something under the surface that could explain why his development looked so different from what we expected. But it wasn't until he was 6 years old that he was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and it explained everything. When I read the diagnostic description, it was like reading a page from Dylan’s life.

It brought clarity, a community, and a deeper understanding of how his brain and body work together—and sometimes don’t. But what it didn’t bring was a roadmap. STAR did.”

Everything changed when they found STAR Institute.

“For the first time,” his mom shared, “someone saw what we were seeing. STAR showed us what was really going on beneath the surface — what Dylan was feeling, sensing, and trying so hard to communicate. It felt like someone turned on a light.”

At STAR, Dylan isn’t a mystery to be solved. He’s a whole person to be understood — welcomed, celebrated, and supported by clinicians who see his brilliance and meet him exactly where he is. And he loves every second of it.

“He thinks he’s just coming to play with his friend Virginia,” she laughed.

But his family knows he’s building the foundations he’ll need for his whole life.

“STAR gave us hope,” his mom said. “More than that — they gave us confidence. And they gave Dylan a way to feel safe in his own body.”

Stories like Dylan’s remind us why STAR exists — and why your support matters. 

This year, hundreds of children, teens, and adults are waiting for sensory-informed therapy. Families are searching for answers. Clinicians around the world are seeking the training STAR provides so they can better support neurodivergent individuals in their own communities. 

Your gift makes this possible. When you give to STAR, you help: 

• Provide life-changing therapy for children like Dylan 

• Reduce wait times so families get help when they need it 

• Sustain financial assistance for families facing barriers 

• Train clinicians across Colorado and beyond in sensory-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care 

• Build a world where every sensory experience — and every person — is seen and understood 

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join us in Making the Invisible Visible. Your generosity brings clarity, connection, and hope to families searching for answers. It creates a future where neurodivergent individuals don’t just survive — they thrive. 

Please consider making your end-of-year gift today. 
Every sense, every story, and every child matters — and your support changes lives. 

With gratitude, 
Dr. Virginia Spielmann
Executive Director | STAR Institute
 

P.S. Every dollar makes a difference. Your gift today helps STAR Institute lead the way in sensory health, creating lasting change and beyond. Thank you for being so supportive! Remember, your gift is tax-deductible for 2025 if you make it on or before December 31st!

Put your gift to work faster by donating online! Visit our website at https://givebutter.com/star-EOY2025