At Autism Speaks, we believe in the age-old adage that it takes a village to raise a child. We also believe it takes an inclusive community and a rock-solid support system to create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.

In this edition of E-Speaks, you will get to know our online communities where autistic people and their families connect with one another, and read about how in-person events like Walk help to bring a sense of community to those who need it most. You will also learn about two programs supported by Autism Speaks that provide crucial services to people with autism and their families, and access resources that will allow you to make your local community more inclusive for people with autism.

Volunteer Spotlight: Walk volunteer finds community and kinship in volunteer work

Meet Geoff E. and his son, Connor, 29. This father-son duo found a sense of community when they attended their first Walk in the New England area. Today, Geoff is on the volunteer committee and provides logistics expertise and an unbridled passion for bringing the full Walk experience to all those who attend each year.

Family ECHO: Autism offers knowledge and community to families and caregivers 

Family ECHO: Autism is a training series organized by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an Autism Care Network site, and supported in part by Autism Speaks with the goal of helping families build the skills they need to better care for their autistic children. In each interactive session, families and caregivers are encouraged to learn from each other and from a panel of multidisciplinary autism experts. Click here to learn more about the program. Read about how the training series has made a difference for one participant, Karla B., and her son Paulie.

 The Autism Response Team (ART) offers help and resources at your fingertips 

Searching for information and resources about autism can be overwhelming, especially for people navigating a new diagnosis. Here at Autism Speaks, one of our top mission priorities is to be the place you can turn to find reliable information and services throughout the life span. Our Autism Response Team is essential to this work, offering direct assistance—in both English and Spanish—to hundreds of thousands of people at every life stage and level of need via phone, email or chat. Click here to learn more about ART’s work in the autism community. Contact ART today: [email protected], 1-888-288-4762, 1-888-772-9050 (en español).

Sense of community comes in many forms with Autism Speaks Facebook groups

Autism Speaks has a variety of Facebook groups where people with autism and their families can connect with others in the autism community who might be going though similar experiences. In addition to location-based groups, we also have Facebook groups for Spanish-speaking community members, adults on the spectrum and parents and caregivers of autistic adolescents transitioning to adulthood. Click here to view our full list of Facebook groups. Join today to get connected to materials and resources and share your own experiences and information with other members.

Local events and information