Charity Spotlight: The Color of Autism Foundation

Meet today’s charity spotlight The Color of Autism Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to serving individuals and their families who are affected by autism spectrum disorders. The foundation is devoted to empowering African American Families and Underserved Communities by creating programs that lessen their isolation and help them thrive.

Did you know just these few facts about Autism according to the CDC:

• Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

The Color of Autism Foundation was founded by a mother,Camille Proctor, who’s son was diagnosed In 2008 with ASD. Camille said that she struggled to get the correct services for him and find the resources to help him through. She was forced to leave her career and care for her son living off my savings and retirement. But she would do all over again, if I had to as would many parents.

As Camille made her journey as an Autism parent, she found few organizations that supported African American families with children on the autism spectrum. Because of a lack of support she found there were huge disparities in the African American community; many misdiagnosed and undiagnosed children in at risk communities end up in the criminal justice system each year. Right then and there she made a promise that once I got a handle on her own situation, she would help others.

The Color of Autism Foundation  is dedicated to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services to maximize their growth potential and to enhance the general public’s awareness of autism.

Some of their programs include offering families professional referrals; the  foundation has built a number of relationships with speech and language therapists, doctors, physicians, specialists, dentists, and schools throughout the US. They believe that working together with community professionals helps our children get the best results.

Another signature program of the foundation is their iPad for Autism Program which provides iPads to non verbal and minimally verbal autistic children ages 3-18, in low income households.  Color of Autism Foundation  has partnered with Application Developers to provide communication assisting technology for each iPad.

The number one goal is to simply help families  navigate through process of getting a diagnosis and understanding their child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program). To learn more about The Color of Autism Foundation  including ways to donate, volunteer or get involved with one of their programs visit www.thecolorofautism.org.