Autism Tennessee

09/24/2026

Sensory Aid Care Kit 💧Drop💧with Nashville Public Library

Thanks to Nashville Public Library (Nashville Public Library), autistic adults and children (and YOU) can enjoy sensory aid care kits at many local library branches. Libraries are special third spaces where community members can learn, meet up together, or simply be in a spot that’s quiet and accessible.

Since 2023, AutismTN has received around 100-200 sensory aid care kit sacks each summer to pass out at peer support groups, outreach events, and spectrum socials. We hope there’s a fidget in there for everyone! Marble Maze, Fidget Snake, Chewlery, and more! What’s your go-to stim?

Need a sensory aid care kit? We can help!
Contact our Resource Helpline at [email protected] or 615-270-2077.

Video Edits!
One side of the communication board has places and needs. We left off the needs part. (Like, I need my AAC device.)

Instead of “thrower”…it would have been more clear and kind for us to say a sensory ball can support someone who likes to stim by throwing a ball or similar object. We shouldn’t be so casual with our words. Can’t wait to do better next time!

09/23/2026

🚨SOS: Share Other Spots🚨
Where are the community spots these days?

We’re looking for more third spaces for our people to hang out in person. Every week, families and autistic adults reach out to AutismTN’s Resource Helpline about meeting up with each other and hanging out. Y’all want to connect about IEP resources, social skills, employment support, and making friends.

Help us find more spaces to facilitate these gatherings. Do you know of any organizations or spots that can regularly host a group of 50+ people with multipurpose areas, classrooms, or break spots for people to spread out and for us to host creative, skill-share, and educational workshops? Share Other Spots with us at our Resource Re-search form in the comments.

09/22/2026

Co-op Pup Alert!
Have you met Vienna Sausage?

We’re lucky the AutismTN offices are in the Tennessee Disability Coalition near 5 Points in East Nashville. AutismTN and Tennessee Disability Coalition have been community partners from the start. 30 years of care: community, advocacy, resources, and education.

Tennessee Disability Coalition is our state-wide policy organization that makes sure your voice and your family’s voice is heard by TN lawmakers. Remember: lawmakers are elected by their communities. They work for us.

AutismTN collaborates with Tennessee Disability Coalition, so more local advocates learn why their living experience matters and how those stories shift our communities into a future where neurodiversity is fully supported and connected. Plus! We also get more snuggles with Vienna.

Our Stakeholder Survey is a great way to add your story and work with us.
What do you know, that we need to know?

Video Description: A long, white dog with brown spots slowly sniffs around a big room with a table and chairs. Meet Vienna Sausage: a basset hound with floppy ears and eyes that might make you give over any treats and all your unconditional love.

09/18/2026

♾️ Nothing About Us, Without Us ♾️

We’re at the Tennessee Disability Coalition policy retreat talking with other TN Disability Coalition members about why inclusive policy matters. The autistic community in Middle TN is caring. We see your effort to support your children and families, find meaningful employment, and design a neuroaffirming life where you belong.

We’re also reading how much our community needs advocates. We hear you. Please keep sharing your experiences in our new Stakeholder Survey. This retreat is helping our team get organized and prepared to more directly advocate for a fully supported and connected neurodiverse community where everyone thrives.

Plus! We got to introduce our new Executive Director! Casey Davis…she’s pretty cool. 😎

Video Description: Casey sits in a chair and talks into a microphone about AutismTN’s advocacy. She’s wearing a green blouse and is excited.

06/26/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Muletown Motorcycles, Boot Stompin' BBQ, Kentucky Linemen, and everyone who helped make their fundraiser such an incredible success!

In case you missed it... Muletown Motorcycles spent months rebuilding a 2008 Harley-Davidson Street Glide from the frame up before raffling it off to benefit AutismTN. To celebrate the campaign, they also hosted a Community Awareness Day featuring delicious food from Boot Stompin' BBQ, live music by Kentucky Linemen, raffle prizes donated by local businesses, and an incredible show of community support.

Thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets, attended the event, donated raffle items, volunteered, or helped spread the word, an incredible $10,000 was raised! These funds will directly support AutismTN's community programs, education, and resources for Autistic people, families, and allies.

Community partnerships like this remind us that when people come together around a shared purpose, they can make a meaningful difference. We are deeply grateful for your generosity, your partnership, and your belief in our mission.

06/16/2026

Thank you to the 133 households who participated in the Kroger Rewards program and selected AutismTN as your beneficiary!

This quarter, Kroger contributed $410 to AutismTN, thanks to your everyday grocery runs. These funds help fuel our mission and support vital programs for our community.

If you haven’t already joined the Kroger Rewards program or selected AutismTN as your beneficiary, now’s a great time to start! By linking your Kroger Plus Card to AutismTN, you can make an impact every time you shop.

Here’s how:
1. Visit www.kroger.com/communityrewards
2. Sign in or create a Kroger account
3. Search for "Autism Tennessee"
4. Click "Enroll" or "Save" to confirm your choice

Every time you use your Kroger Plus Card, you help us build a more inclusive, supportive community.

Thank you again for your ongoing support! It truly adds up!

06/15/2026

🚗 Today is National License Plate Day!

A special thank you to everyone who already has a Tennessee Autism Awareness license plate. Your support helps make AutismTN's work possible.

Did you know that one simple choice at the DMV can help support Autistic people and families here in Middle Tennessee?

When you purchase or renew a Tennessee Autism Awareness license plate, a portion of the proceeds supports autism organizations across Tennessee, including AutismTN. As a grassroots nonprofit, AutismTN uses these funds to provide community programs, education, advocacy, and resources for Autistic people, families, and allies throughout our service area.

Unlike many organizations, AutismTN is 100% local, and every dollar we receive stays in our community to support local programs and services.

Want to participate? Simply choose the Autism Awareness specialty plate when registering or renewing your vehicle.

Every plate helps create more opportunities for support, connection, and belonging within Tennessee's autism community.

Thank you for helping drive change, one mile at a time.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Two of our license plates were created to raise awareness about Autism and Down syndrome. See the rest of our specialty plates and how much was allocated in our Specialty Plate Sales dashboard here: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/data-dashboards/specialty-plate.html

05/11/2026

Muletown Motorcycles gave us a sneak peek of the completely rebuilt 2008 Harley-Davidson Street Glide they are raffling off. It is a BEAUTY! You won't regret buying a ticket or two!
Here's the link: [https://app.galabid.com/muletown-mc-events](https://app.galabid.com/muletown-mc-events)

04/30/2026

🌟 AutismTN is grateful to our Food & Beverage Sponsor, Keystone Financial, for helping make tonight’s hospitality possible.

Their support plays a key role in underwriting event expenses, which means the funds raised this evening can stay focused where they matter most—supporting Autism Tennessee’s mission and programs.

Keystone Financial is a private wealth group servicing the wealth management planning needs of families and institutional clients in the Nashville area and throughout the U.S.

https://fa.wellsfargoadvisors.com/keystonepwg/

04/30/2026

🌟AutismTN thanks our Food & Beverage Sponsor, Buildable Academy, for their generous support of this evening’s meal and refreshments.

Their investment helps offset the cost of the event itself, meaning more of every dollar raised tonight goes directly toward advancing Autism Tennessee’s mission and programs.

Their support helps ensure our communities are nourished, energized and ready to help celebrate the efforts of the Middle TN autism community.

BuildABLE Academy is a consulting, education, construction, and training company for neurodivergent people looking to build meaningful & sustainable careers.

https://buildableacademy.com/