There are many organizations and grants out there who are willing to help autism families. Everyone knows that insurance doesn’t cover nearly enough of needed therapies.
Services from the state and/or the school system can be minuscule at best. It’s like Taylor Swift so eloquently says “Bandaids don’t fix bullet holes”.
Where to look first for autism grants and organizations?
- children’s hospitals
- Shriners,
- Kiwanis
- Lions Club
- ChildFind or your local School Board can help with diagnosis
- Early Intervention
- Individual Businesses
Those organizations like to help locally. You might be able to present your request personally to the club. This is where you could possibly get the funds for an iPad needed for communication apps.
Let’s look at national organizations!
Now, let’s move on to known organizations that have grants for autism nationally. Some can be used for biomedical intervention. Some can be used for therapies or sensory items needed at home.
- ACT Today Grant Grants will be allocated based on annual fundraising activities. The Board of Directors will determine the number and amounts of each grant at the beginning of each term. Requests for endowments or multi-year grants will not be accepted. Each application is kept in our system for two consecutive grant cycles after which the applicant must re-apply.Once we determine how much we can give each quarter, we review the following items when considering approval of a grant request:
- Completion of grant application – The application must be completed in its entirety to be reviewed. Partially completed applications will be kept on file for one year and additional information may be submitted to make the application complete within that timeframe.
- Amount of grant request – Typical grants awarded range between $100 – $5,000.
- Household income – While we have not set an income level cap, incomes below $100,000 per year are reviewed first.
- Type of treatment requested – Our mission is to fund effective treatments, assessments and needed life supports.
- Numbers of family members with ASD diagnosis – Applications from families with multiple children with ASDs are reviewed first.
Should your grant be funded, you will be asked to complete two short questionnaires regarding your experiences as a result of the funding you received. We also encourage families to share photos and stories. Once approved for a grant, families have 12 months to use the funds. Applicant receiving a grant agrees to repay the grant if any services paid for with the grant are reimbursed by another funding source, such as a school district or insurance company.
| TACA Scholarships Since 2006, TACA has provided medical and treatment scholarships to families living with autism. These scholarships depend on the fundraising efforts of our Chapters and the generosity of key donors and foundations. TACA National Immunity Support Package Scholarship TACA National Medical Scholarship TACA National Homeopathy Scholarship TACA Georgia Chapter Ion Cleanse by AMD Scholarship (Georgia only) TACA San Diego Chapter Medical Scholarship (San Diego Only) |
- Step Up For Students
- A Florida based scholarship program for children in home education programs or private schools. Awards range up to $10,000 . You can use the scholarship for curriculum, OT tools for a home program or actual therapy sessions at a certified facility. An official diagnosis from a doctor or licensed psychologist is needed to qualify.
| The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) This program from the Arizona Department of Education gives eligible parents public funding to pursue flexible options for customizing their children’s education.Intended to expand educational opportunity outside of the public school system, it provides public funding for a wide range of personalized education expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring services, textbooks and more. |
| Medicaid Waiver: The Katie Beckett Waiver is a federal waiver that is intended for children from birth to 18 years of age with a chronic disability. It entitles children to Medicaid that would not otherwise qualify due to their parent’s financial status. |
- Free diapers with autism diagnosis, over the age of 3:
- If your child has autism while also experiencing incontinence, you will need a prescription from their healthcare provider for pediatric incontinence products
- You will also need a signed letter of medical necessity that explains why the products are needed.
- The letter will include a list of the medical supplies to be used, and how many disposable supplies will be needed on a monthly basis.
- This letter must be signed within the last year.
- Grant for medical services:
- UHCCF’s mission is to help fill the gap between what medical services/items a child needs and what their commercial health benefit plan will pay for. UHCCF grants provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
- Free Autism safety toolkit:
- The Big Red Safety Box is a free-of-charge toolkit given to autism families in need as a means to educate, raise awareness and provide simple tools that may assist them in preventing, and responding to, wandering-related emergencies.
- The Big Red Safety Box includes the following resources: A sample IEP Letter A Student Profile FormEmotion Identification Cards, Wandering Quick TipsTwo, (2) GE Wireless Door/Window Alarms with batteries, One (1) RoadID Bracelet or Shoe ID tag, Five (5) Adhesive Stop Sign Visual Prompts for doors and windows, Two (2) Safety Alert Window Clings for car or home windows, One (1) Child ID Kit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
If you are a parent/legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, you may submit your application for ChristmasWish, the Annual Autism Christmas Gift Drive from Autism Wish. If eligible, they make every effort to match your child’s wishlist with a Hero who will select an item(s) to gift your child.
Individual Companies
There are companies that offer discounts to special needs family. You may need to submit something from your doctor to get it.
Wonderfold Wagon
Wonderfold Wagons are perfect for our little autistic children who can’t or won’t walk far. It’s very durable, very sturdy, and easy to clean. Submit a letter of need from your medical practitioner to get a 25% discount. Every little bit helps.
