Eleven-year-old Megan McCreary of Orangeville, Ontario has two younger brothers, both of whom have autism. This gives her family many challenges. With her 'huge heart and ton of patience" Megan has been a big help to her parents by giving her brothers so much love and attention. She has also reached beyond her own family to make autism better understood by both children and adults.

Autism affects the way a person talks, acts, learns and feels. For some people with autism, their brains are wired differently and messages in their brain get mixed up, so it can be hard for them to explain how they feel. We don't know what causes it but doctors are studying autism and making new discoveries all the time.

One day, to help her brothers be calm on a car trip, Megan collected up various little toys and objects that she thought would keep them busy and interested. She put these things together in a plastic container and took them on the trip. It worked so well that she made more of these 'Fidgitkitz' and soon they were being sold to other families. A portion of the money raised goes to help Autism Society Ontario. In 2002 Megan, her mom, and Joyce Lang, a family friend who also has a child with autism, started a website business to sell these Fidgitkitz and other materials for children with autism. Megan is the company president and spokesperson.

There is usually at least one autistic child in every school, but many children and teachers don't know much about autism. So, a film was made called "Meet my Brother". Megan is the main speaker in the film. She explains about autism in a thoughtful way that helps children and adults understand and accept autistic children. This film has been shown in over 1000 schools.

There is a summer camp that autistic children can attend, but they need a lot of assistance when they are there. Each summer Megan goes to this camp and acts as a 'buddy' to help an autistic child.

Sometimes it is tough being in a family that has an autistic child who needs so much attention. Megan gets together with other kids who also have a sibling with autism. As a group they discuss what it is like and encourage each other to find ways to help and to be cheerful. Megan has a wonderful personality and always looks on the bright side of things. Even grown-ups have learned from Megan through speeches she has given at meetings.

When Megan was presented with her "Real Girls doing Real Things that Matter!" award in front of a group of 200 people at an autism conference, the whole group stood up and clapped. Afterwards, many people came up to shake her hand and congratulate her.