A Global Voice for Autism

Bringing humanity, support and education to special needs families in dehumanizing situations

A Global Voice for Autism is a United States 501(c)(3) public charitable organization that equips conflict-affected communities to support the development and success of autistic children with children whose lives have been impacted by trauma.  

Our Need 

Our organization works with some of the world’s most vulnerable families. They are raising children with special needs while living as refugees and in situations of ongoing conflict. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the well-being of many families in our community. According to a recent survey of our community members in Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, Turkey and the U.S.: 

 40% of our families are experiencing food insecurity. Many of these families have children with special dietary needs who will become sick if their families cannot afford their diets. We need to provide food support to keep our children healthy.

  43% of autistic children are having new self-injurious behaviors in quarantine. Many are living in substandard housing where potential for injury is high. We need to help these families get supplies that can make their homes safer for their children.

  14% of our children who use communication devices are at risk of losing electricity in their homes. Without electricity, they lose their “voices.” We need to help with electricity payments so these children can communicate their wants and needs. 

 30% of our families list enrichment for their children among their top needs. Without ideas to engage children with limited resources, our families are seeing regression in their children’s skills. We need to develop inclusive learning content to keep our children engaged. 

Our Ask  

We are seeking $10,000 to create a 2-month support fund for our community: 

Need Funds Requested Emergency Support Fund $8,400 

Translation Stipend $500 

Employing Activity Leaders $1,100 

Total Request $10,000 

Our Founding Story

A Global Voice for Autism was founded in 2012 by Melissa Diamond after she met a family of a young girl with autism during her international travels. The family hid their daughter with autism at home due the autism stigma and lack of services in their community. What started as an effort to help a single child has since grown into a non-profit organization that works globally to provide trauma-informed support to children with autism and their families in communities where their opportunities are limited due to conflict.