Program areas at Autism Tennessee
Autism Tennessee (autismtn) is dedicated to disseminating knowledge and information to empower autistic individuals, their families, and the community. The update of the logo and mission and vision statements more closely align them with the community and reinforces their commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. Program activities: registrations for programming across all events increased by 15%, encompassing education, family support groups, teen and adult programs, spectrum social events, and education events. Education: autismtn hosted a series of virtual aceing the spectrum education events, offering in-depth knowledge into various topics impacting the community. The virtual format and website expansion improved accessibility, especially for those in rural areas. Teen and adult programming: our teen and adult programs continue to offer valuable social learning and networking opportunities for neurodivergent individuals age 14 and above. Outreach: autismtn partnered in "our stories," an initiative educating autistic individuals and their caregivers on the power of storytelling for advocacy. Participants discovered and shared their own stories with Tennessee legislators. Autismtn remained an active participant in the governor's council on Autism spectrum disorder, working to streamline access to autism-related interventions and resources. Additional efforts included active involvement in state and local thinktanks, advocacy groups, and public policy initiatives. Community ambassador(trained volunteers)continue to assist in awareness and program delivery, with a particular focus on rural counties. Autismtn families (facebook group)experienced significant growth of 24.75% in total members. Three new family networking groups were launched, one specifically tailored to serve the spanish-speaking community. Autismtn awarded captain spectrum be kind scholarship, a post-secondary scholarship, to three individuals dedicated to ending bullying in their communities. Employme program offered guidance and support to autistic job seekers who are unemployed or underemployed through packet review, group classes, and 1:1 assistance. Helpline advocates promptly responded to requests for information and referrals through email, phone, text, and social media. These requests ranged from simple referrals to complex cases, such as parents of newly diagnosed children seeking information, resources, and direction. Spectrum social events continue to provide individuals and families with a safe and supportive environment for engaging in social activities. Autismtn actively hosts community events to raise awareness, foster acceptance, and promote inclusion of autistic individuals. The executive director actively participated in numerous speaking engagements, advocating for awareness and inclusion across various settings, from early childhood to corporate workplaces. In summary: autismtn is committed to supporting autistic individuals, providing vital awareness and education to those impacted by Autism, and championing advocacy through outreach, including educational events, publications, media resources, and community events.