Autismazing.org Impact

We have so many to thank for the impact we have made together

Here are a few stories to share how we have supported the dreams and goals of our young autistic persons. Since 2016, we have been dedicated to our mission. We're are a small, 100% volunteer, part-time organization and are proud to serve and support all who we serve.

Want to help us make more impact? Donate securely today: https://autismazing.org/donate Thank you!

You can also help us in other ways, too! https://autismazing.org/help

Jennifer and Benjamin

I am the mother of Benjamin, a 15-year-old, level 2 autistic and deaf young man. Life has always been full of challenges and one thing that we found most helpful was a specialized private school and ABA therapy. One major challenge we faced was the financial hardship one can face when trying to provide all that a disabled child needs. Your grant was able to assist our family financially to keep Ben's specific support needed. Benjamin has done so well that he is no longer in ABA therapy and he is now an "A" student. He has socially grown as well. He is an usher in our church and chats with everyone. He has done so very well that he is now able to critter hunt alone outside our home. Things are going so well he is now contemplating what college to attend. A bridge we will cross when the day comes. Thank you so much for the financial help your grant provided. The grants you offer give such a wonderful long-lasting impact in the lives of the disabled children but also those they encounter.

photos of smiling young man and his pet dog

Jessika

Story: I was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism at 22 years old during my undergraduate career. Following the diagnosis and the immense support from my friends and family, I entered into a period of self-discovery and reflection on what my diagnosis meant for me personally and professionally. I was in the midst of a spiritual journey at the time, and adding this new discovery felt overwhelming, but it has led to an amazing career path I find myself in now. Currently, I am finishing up my second and final year at Villanova University getting my Master's in Ministry and Theology and a Certificate in Higher Education Leadership. I have been able to focus several projects on ministering to a neurodiverse community and plan to continue to create spaces and dialogue surrounding autism and religion in the future.

Support: Autismazing.org has truly been a blessing to me- their support through kind and uplifting communication and access to grants and financial resources has made my educational journey possible. I received an Amazing Futures grant toward the beginning of my program and it truly set me up for success, covered all of the unexpected expenses that came with the program, and helped ensure a smooth transition to living out fo state and away from my family for the first time. The broadly encompassing grant allowed me flexibility and freedom to cover the unexpected and unique costs that came with the transition into graduate school, which put me at ease, allowing me to better enjoy this new chapter in my life. I do hope to apply again soon to assist with my next life transition and the final stages of my (current) educational career.

Thoughts/advice: I would recommend that neurotypical people let the neurodivergent folks in their lives take the lead whenever possible. Do not assume you know the best way to support someone, and instead listen to their needs and pay attention to the ways in which the person feels support. Consider reading up on common obstacles and struggles for autistic people and some solutions that have been found to be helpful in order to build a toolbox, but know that there is no one size fits all for the autistic life.

Maryanne and Kareem

Kareem needed to develop his social skills in order to get a job. Autismazing.org awarded Kareem with a grant to help pay for explicit social skills therapy. I have also been told by home health aides that adults with disabilities tend to lose jobs because they do not have the social skills, so this learning is critical to independence.

I am a proud mom to say that Kareem has now been working at Chick-fil-A for over a year and a half!

I so appreciate Autismazing.org for recognizing the importance of supporting education and vocational skills and training so that Kareem can have the support to succeed.

I would like non-autistic persons to understand that people with autism have to explicitly learn social skills that we intuitively learn. For example, Kareem' s key social skill needs include learning to read social cues, initiating conversation, and understanding other people's perspective.

Sam

Throughout my childhood, I struggled with things that others did not struggle with. It took me longer than normal to reach developmental milestones like walking, talking, and toileting. My family struggled financially, so mental health services weren’t something we had access to. Because of that, I didn’t get access to mental health care or a psychological assessment until I was in college. By that time, I had already been hospitalized multiple times for my mental health.

After going through my first few years of college struggling to maintain my mental health, my therapist recommended that I get assessed for autism. I underwent a neuropsychological assessment that summer, and learned that I was autistic and had ADHD. This new discovery really changed my perception of myself and my life goals. I became very interested in understanding more about autism and neurodiversity. This drove me to get involved in autism research at my university, and I have now spent three years as an autism researcher.

With the help of the grant from Autismazing.org, I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree and move one step closer to my goal of getting my PhD and pursuing a career in autism research. This grant allowed me to focus on my education and research by relieving the financial stress that I face as a working college student. Without this grant, I would not have been able to finish my last semester of college or continue to pursue the research that I am so passionate about. Having this opportunity gave me the stability and confidence that kept me moving forward. Knowing that Autismazing.org believed in my potential was incredibly motivating, and this support reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career in autism research.

One thing that I wish more non-autistic people understood about autism is that autistic joy and passion are real strengths. Autistic people’s intense interests, focus, and honesty can help lead to creativity, innovation, and deep expertise when they are supported. My passion for my research is what kept me going through my last few years of undergrad and gave me the motivation to finish my degree. Without the passion, I would not have had the drive or motivation to finish my degree. Understanding that I am autistic gave me direction and helped shape the goals I continue to work toward, and it is so important to support autistic joy and passion.

Individual and Families in Eastern NC

Each year, we hold our Ice Cream for Breakfast inclusive event and resource fair in Eastern North Carolina. This allowed thousands of individuals and families to have a whole bunch of fun, and to connect to local organizations that provide support and opportunities. We are very grateful to our sponsors, individual donors and volunteers. Learn more: https://autismazing.org/icecream

In addition to hosting ICFB annually, we have provided several grants to individuals/families in Eastern NC.