Autism Awareness & Advocacy

Welcome to our blog post focused on empowering children with autism through our mission at Side by Side! As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to positively impacting the lives of kids with autism by offering them meaningful opportunities for growth and development.

At Side by Side, autism awareness and advocacy are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that true inclusion begins with understanding, compassion, and celebrating the unique strengths of every child. To spread awareness, we host community events like Autism Acceptance Walks, and presentations on neurodiversity. We run social media campaigns during Autism Acceptance Month to highlight personal stories and promote positive messages about neurodiversity. Throughout the year, we also organize panel discussions with parents, educators, and advocates to spark conversations about building more inclusive communities. Our club members take part in creating posters, bracelets, and advocacy projects that are shared with schools and community centers. We encourage our families, volunteers, and supporters to be active advocates—whether that's by participating in a campaign, speaking at a local school, or simply having conversations that break down harmful stereotypes. Raising awareness isn't just a one-time event for us; it's a way of life that drives everything we do. We also collaborate with local businesses to host Autism Acceptance Nights, where a portion of proceeds are donated to support inclusive programming. Every spring, we organize a "Chalk the Walk" event, where families, kids, and volunteers decorate sidewalks with positive messages and artwork celebrating diversity. In our clubs, kids work together on awareness-themed DIY projects, like painting kindness rocks and making posters that promote understanding. We distribute resource packets to schools, libraries, and youth centers to educate the community on how to create more welcoming spaces for people with autism. We believe small changes, like offering quiet zones and visual schedules, can make a big difference in helping children feel comfortable and included. Side by Side also highlights success stories throughout the year, sharing how our kids are thriving not just in our club, but in school, sports, and everyday life. Through every event, project, and conversation, we are shaping a future where acceptance is the norm, not the exception. At Side by Side, we don’t just raise awareness—we inspire action, kindness, and a lasting culture of belonging for every individual on the autism spectrum.