Local Community Partners
Autism Tennessee exists to enrich the lives and experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and their surrounding community through support, advocacy and education.
Autism Tennessee advocate for the needs of Autistic people, their families, and their networks. We amplify the experiences of multiply-marginalized Autistic people by embracing intersectionality and acknowledging the systemic ways oppression excludes many neurodivergent perspectives. They celebrate Autistic culture by enthusiastically centering Autistic communication, thinking, feeling, and ways of being. We recognize the Autistic neurotype as a natural variation within human neurodiversity. Find out more about Autism Tennessee at their website: https://autismtennessee.wildapricot.org/.
The Chattanooga Autism Center (CAC) has a “resource hub” to help people find services and resources in the region that are the most commonly asked options by autistic individuals, parents, educators, professionals, and others in the community. You can scan the categories on the webpage and click on the blue headings to find details and contact information. The resources are located in East TN, North Georgia, and beyond. This much information can be overwhelming for some, and many people are not sure where to start. The CAC can help provide some guidance and direction by calling the CAC at 423-531-6961 opt 0 or email them at info@chattanoogaautismcenter.org
Visit their resource hub at: https://www.chattanoogaautismcenter.org/regional-resources
The mission of the AAIN is to promote awareness, accessibility and inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families by building capacity throughout a community network of arts, education, athletic, and entertainment organizations.
AAIN are focused on true inclusion, which means creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to belong through participation in programs and representation within the organization. They exclusively recommend supports that are research-based rather than supports designed to allow for individuals to tolerate environments without allowing for meaningful participation.
For information about AAIN, please reach out to Blaire Donnelly-Mason at: blaire.donnelly-mason@vumc.org