Andrea Mercier’s story is one of advocacy, compassion, and inspiration. Already a military wife and minister, Andrea’s journey took an unexpected turn when she became an autism mom to her beautiful son, Gabriel. His extraordinary spirit spurred Andrea to pen Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend, her debut children’s book. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Andrea aims to bridge the gap between neurotypical and uniquely-abled children to foster understanding and acceptance. Her experiences as a speaker and advocate help her spread awareness and initiate vital conversations about autism within families and communities.