In a year that often felt uncertain and divided, Autism Oklahoma (AO) focused on something powerful: bringing people together. Through education, support, connection and community, we found joy.
Throughout 2025, AO reached more than 10,600 Oklahomans impacted by autism; but our impact is about more than numbers. It is about creating connections that help individuals and families thrive.
For many autistic individuals and their families, finding community can be life changing. An autistic adult making their first friend. A parent navigating a new diagnosis. A caregiver meeting someone who understands their journey. A teenager discovering a place where they belong. These moments may seem small, but they build confidence, reduce isolation, and create hope.
That work matters. Research shows autistic individuals face significantly higher risks of loneliness, anxiety and suicide. Community connections provide support, resources, understanding and opportunities to live fuller, more joyful lives. Every AO program is designed with that goal in mind: helping people feel connected and valued for exactly who they are.
In 2025, more than 1,500 individuals participated in AO’s social programming through monthly meetups, family events and seasonal celebrations across the state. These welcoming spaces helped participants build friendships, practice social skills and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
AO also continued creating pathways to independence and self-discovery. Through STEM, LEGO and art camps, and through Invisible Layers Productions’ vocational filmmaking program, 128 participants explored their interests while building both employment skills and soft skills.
November 2025 also marked an important expansion of AO’s role as an educational resource for families and communities. In response to growing need, the organization launched a new educational seminar series covering topics such as disability benefits, financial planning, educational advocacy, sensory-friendly workplaces, oral health and navigating life transitions. In just two months, nearly 100 participants gained practical tools and knowledge to help them better navigate life with an autism diagnosis.
Education matters because understanding creates opportunity. When families have access to reliable information, they can make informed decisions. When employers, educators and community members better understand autism, they can create environments where autistic individuals are welcomed, supported and empowered to succeed.
Community support made all of this possible. The 2025 AO Walk welcomed a record 348 teams and more than 6,000 participants across Oklahoma City and Tulsa, while Drive Fore Autism helped generate critical funding that keeps approximately 95 percent of Autism Oklahoma programming free for participants.
As Autism Oklahoma looks toward the future, the mission remains clear: creating opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum to find community connections and live meaningful, joyful lives.
We do this because education opens doors, connection changes lives and community creates belonging.
View our full impact report and watch our “We Found Joy!” recap (produced by AO’s Invisible Layers Productions autistic filmmakers) on our About Us page.
