Navigating life with someone who has autism can be a challenge. A good plan makes it easier, but where do you start?
At AutismOklahoma, we love to support parents who are passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for their child and a few others. In fact, everything from Connection Circles, PieceWalk, and Invisible Layers were started by parents who wanted to make a difference.
And by helping someone else, parents often learn new ways of helping their own family.
Get Started
Sometimes an awesome program idea is just a great leader away from happening!
If you want to make a difference or have an idea for a group that would help your child and a few others, let us know. Tell us your passion, your purpose, what initial funding you might need and the impact you want to make.
In the meantime, meet some of our amazing parents who created opportunities for their own child and a few others….
Debra Brakefield
Debra Brakefield and her sons started Bowling for the Differently-Abled (link) in 2011 as a way for them to have fun, social time with other families and teens with autism. Each Saturday, the Bronco Bowl in Mustang is filled with the site of smiles and the sound of laughter from kids of all ages, their family and friends. This is exactly what Debra was wishing for, and her wish came true.
AutismOklahoma staff member Trina Naff-Eaves
Trina Naff-Eaves and her son Jeremy started Camp Noggin, an annual day camp for children 8-11-years-old. Trina wanted for Jeremy, and other children with autism, to have a childhood filled with memories of summer camp. The camp is filled with a variety of unique hands-on experiences for campers to learn new things, build confidence and independence, and develop friendships. A highlight of Camp Noggin is Graduation Day when campers share a new talent they learned. Learn more about Camp Noggin here.
AutismOklahoma staff member Crystal Frost
As a young mom with a newly-diagnosed son, Crystal looked for ways to build her support network and discovered a local autism walk, hosted by a national organization. After a few years, the walk committee became passionate about keeping the walk donations in Oklahoma to help our Oklahoma families. Crystal, and hundreds of families, loved the event and the inspiration gained by so many walking together to show their love for someone with autism. So Crystal, and AutismOklahoma created the PieceWalk so that our local families could continue walking together in unity. The PieceWalk (link) is now Oklahoma’s largest autism event and has expanded to Tulsa.
AutismOklahoma staff member Dee Blose
Dee Blose and her son started Bee’s Knees, a model for gathering friends and creating opportunities and to improve quality of life. It started when five friends graduated high school and wanted something creative to do together as friends. Art and exploring the community became their passion, and, as the group met,their lives were changed. Bee’s Knees (link to BK page) members are community ambassadors who share their passions in our state and beyond. The Swanky Art Camp and Big Swanky Art Show are great ways to meet the Bee’s Knees artists.
