Whitney Ellenby’s life took an unexpected turn when her son was diagnosed with autism. When conventional therapy didn’t work for him, she took things into her own hands—and found a cause that changed her life.

BY GABRIELE MCCORMICK

THE FLORIDA-BOUND plane was 40,000 feet in the air, and a 5-year-old boy was screaming. “I want bye-bye plane,” he yelled. “I want down.” He pounded his head with his fists and then sank his teeth into his own wrist. He began flailing, knocking into the passengers next to and in front of him. Some stared and others looked away. His mother, Whitney Ellenby, stood up in the aisle.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “My son, Zack, has autism. I’m doing the best I can and I will get him under control.”