Canton, NY – Madison Leary has spent the past four years as the last line of defense for the SUNY Canton women's lacrosse team. As the team's starting goalie for most of her career, she's become accustomed to this role. Similarly, as the older sister to a brother with autism, defending those who need help has gradually become second nature.

Madison and her brother Bryce grew up in the Carthage, NY area with their parents Dan and Holly Leary. From an early age, Madison knew that her family experience was different than most of her friends.

"Most of their siblings were always tagging along with us, but socially Bryce just couldn't do that," Leary said. "Most of the time, he'd rather be on his IPad or by himself."

As a result of his autism, Bryce has repetitive behaviors as well as challenges with social skills, speech, and non-verbal communication.  He shares this in common with the more than 2% of children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) each year.

And while Bryce faces a number of challenges each day, he is also very smart and capable. 

"He has some challenges like reading and writing, but that doesn't slow him down," Leary said. "He can do most things other people can do."

And there are many things that he can do even better. 

"I remember when he was younger, you could name a shark and he could tell you 50 facts about it." 

Leary shared that she's jealous of Bryce's photographic memory and wishes she had a similar ability when tackling some of her college coursework.

Madison was only two when her parents brought Bryce home from the hospital.  Too young to remember the moment, but she does remember the story. 

"I was told that I was crying when my mom left for the hospital and when they came home. I told them to bring him back."  Despite a rocky start to their relationship, like most siblings they grew to love and care about each other. "I can't imagine our family without having Bryce around."

Bryce was officially diagnosed with autism at five years old, but there were several years of traveling back and forth between Syracuse and Rochester doctors' offices before they arrived at the final diagnosis. 

"His reading and writing were not where it should have been as a preschooler and my parents noticed that he hyper-focused on some things," Leary said. 

She remembers her parents sitting down to tell her about Bryce when she was seven years old. 

"They had to break it down so that a seven-year-old could understand it, but they did a great job of explaining it to me." 

As she got older, she got a much better understanding of how autism would impact Bryce's life and her own. Like those times in middle school when Bryce was the target of bullying and Madison was there to make sure that it stopped immediately. 

"That's where my big-sister instinct kicks in and I'm like that's my little brother and that's not going to happen." 

She would confront bullies head on and was a fierce defender of her brother - although that instinct was not necessary most times. 

"My friends were great about going down to his classroom to help out and make sure he was being taken care of." 

Another show of support was when her high school team would line up at the entrance to the field before home games and give Bryce a high five on their way onto the turf. But make no mistake, there are plenty of times when Madison and Bryce share those normal brother/sister moments too.

"Just because he has autism, he still acts like a little brother in many ways. He knows how to push my buttons which is really annoying," laughs Leary.  "I'll be watching a movie and he will tell me what's going to happen next just to bother me."

Madison isn't entirely sure of where Bryce's path will ultimately take him.  Some people with ASD are able to adapt well in learning, thinking and problem-solving, while others require much more support and may not be able to live independently.  For Madison, one thing is for sure – her bond with her brother is a bond for life. 

"I will always be the caretaker for my brother as he and my parents get older. That's something that anyone in my life will need to be aware of – Bryce and I are connected forever."

To help celebrate Autism Awareness Month, the Women's Lacrosse Team will be wearing blue bracelets in support of Bryce and all those impacted by Autism. Additionally, the Roos have dedicated their game on Sunday 4/10 against Maine Maritime Academy to promote Autism Awareness and will be passing out free bracelets to those in attendance.