Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2026

PEOPLE
Alyece Smith
MAKING ROOM FOR EVERY CHILD
How One Coast Mom Is Turning Waiting Lists Into Action
story by Cherie Ward photos courtesy of Alyece Smith
Alyece and Caiden Smith
When Alyece Smith’s son Caiden was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2018, she didn’t panic. She researched. She called. She filled out paperwork. And then she waited.
And waited.
There were long lists for services. Limited options. Some providers were fresh out of school, learning alongside the very families they were treating. Parents searched Facebook groups late at night, hoping someone knew someone who could help.
Love was never the issue. Access was. “I knew back then it was just a challenge even to get services and find other parents who could relate,” Smith said.
What began as advocacy for her own child slowly became something bigger. In 2024, she officially launched Caiden’s Corner—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children on the autism spectrum and the families raising them. Her goal was simple—help parents now, not six months from now.
Through educational workshops, virtual trainings, and community partnerships, Smith equips families with practical tools they can use at home while they wait
20 | April 2026
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