Alexandria Sukeforth
about
To understand my work, you first have to understand my why—and that begins with my son, Adrian.
When Adrian was diagnosed with Level 3 Autism at the age of two, our world was suddenly filled with clinical prognoses and prescribed therapies. We were told he was severely cognitively impaired, would likely never be fully verbal, and would require nearly 40 hours of intensive services per week.
But I saw something else in him—I saw potential that couldn’t be measured in a clinic. Guided by mother’s intuition and a deep dive into my own research—including foundational texts like Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods and Angela Hanscom’s Balanced and Barefoot, among many others—I chose a different path. We opted out of the recommended services and instead, stepped outside.
We spent our days in the woods and on the coast of Maine, replacing therapy rooms with the boundless possibilities of nature. Sensory difficulties began to melt away, new words emerged, and his confidence soared. Today, Adrian is a thriving, verbal, and deeply happy child who feels most at home under an open sky. He is living proof that with the right access, human potential is limitless.
My journey has solidified a core belief that has guided all of my advocacy work: that every person deserves the freedom to overcome barriers and write their own story.
I have woven this personal philosophy into my professional mission. My work is grounded in my experience as a Certified Direct Support Professional and informed by extensive courses on neurodiversity. It is driven by a passion for community service, which includes advocating for survivors of childhood sexual assault, volunteering as the Biddeford Book Fairy, and collaborating with the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) Changemakers Network. I also serve as a parent volunteer at Bedrock Play (formerly TimberNook), an all-outdoor children’s program in Gorham, Maine.
I practice a philosophy of slow living to cultivate focus and intention. This involves disconnecting from the digital noise (no smartphone or social media) which allows me to be fully present. My time is spent on creative pursuits like reading, writing, and making music. I also enjoy tactile arts, from embroidery and sculpting to finding and tumbling rocks. I am an avid hiker, often exploring trails near the water and taking an excessive amount of pictures with my GoPro. But more than anything else, my greatest joy is being a mom.
“I think all the kids should switch their mom to you. You’re a kind mom.”
– Adrian sukeforth
Photography
