Autism Society East Tennessee

Autism Society East Tennessee The Autism Society's mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

Our Mission:
We create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. Our Vision:
Creating a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it. Our Values:

DIGNITY, where the value and self-determination of every individual is upheld. EQUITY, where everyone with Autism achieves the highest possi

ble quality of life
INCLUSION, where every person is integrated into society without barriers or exceptions in a collaborative environment. DIVERSITY, where everyone is respected for their unique and individual differences
INTEGRITY, where we conduct ourselves with honor, truth, and respect in our thoughts,
words and actions. The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. As the nation’s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its 75 local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. It envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it - including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan. Because, the connection is you. β„’
Community Guidelines:
We are proud to be a part of an online community to share advocacy, information and resources about Autism. As part of that community, we believe in respectful conversations that advance knowledge and engagement on these topics. We welcome people to join our social media channels and encourage visitors to contribute respectfully. Most importantly, we want everyone to feel comfortable engaging with our page and gain new knowledge from the information shared here. To meet these goals, we are asking all followers and fans to abide by our policies:
- Comments that are insulting, personal or slanderous will be immediately removed.
- Comments with profane language or emojis will be immediately removed.
- Comments that are off-topic and derail from the link, post, update can be deleted.
- Comments that are opposing our viewpoint will NOT be deleted in the spirit of healthy debate. We ask that you disagree respectfully and with the facts.
- Any spamming to our page will be deleted and fan will be blocked.
- Those that violate our policies can be deleted or blocked from our fan page. The Autism Society's social media channels and pages are intended to serve as a mechanism for communication
between the public and Autism Society. All comments posted on the Autism Society's social media channels will be monitored. The Autism Society reserves the right to remove comments or postings on any organization-run social media channels that violate any applicable laws or the the Autism Society's Social Media Channels Policy. Social media channels are private sites, and the privacy terms of those channels apply. The Autism Society does not guarantee reliability and accuracy of any third-party links, and it reserves the right to remove any conversation.

Nurturing Parenting: Virtual trainingThis is an evidence-based class that builds protective factors in families that, wh...
06/17/2026

Nurturing Parenting: Virtual training

This is an evidence-based class that builds protective factors in families that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. It is an innovative approach to empower parents in creating a competency-based parenting plan to meet the specific needs of their family. Each class meets twice a week (2.5 hours per session) for 4 weeks.

*Starting July 6th, (Mondays and Tuesdays), 4 pm – 6:30 pm CT.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2kjmjrb6

For more information, contact

Carolyn Lawson at [email protected].

https://www.meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/events/315123174/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=201132829

πŸ“ Inclusion starts with showing up.The Autism Social Scene is a weekly reminder that belonging isn't complicated; it jus...
06/17/2026

πŸ“ Inclusion starts with showing up.

The Autism Social Scene is a weekly reminder that belonging isn't complicated; it just requires space, acceptance, and community.

If you're an autistic adult in East Tennessee, this is YOUR space. πŸ’™

πŸ“… RSVP for the next meetup:
πŸ‘‰ meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/

ReACT: Accountability, Control, and Transformation (Anger Management Training) – Virtual training via TeamsReACT is a fr...
06/16/2026

ReACT: Accountability, Control, and Transformation (Anger Management Training) – Virtual training via Teams

ReACT is a free 8-week course that utilizes accountability and education to improve anger management.

Participants will learn: 1) Brain science related to anger management; 2) What it takes to process our anger emotion differently, and 3) Doable strategies to change our response to anger triggers. There are separate classes for parents and youth.

*ReACT for Youth (ages 12-17) – This class meets weekly on Wednesdays, 5-6:00pm CT.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4cnahtjs

Youth must attend 8 sessions within a 3-month period to receive a certificate of completion.

For more information, contact Cynthia Stockton at [email protected]

https://www.meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/events/315122617/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=201132829

Let's be direct: inclusion is no longer optional. πŸ“ŠThe CDC now estimates that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed ...
06/15/2026

Let's be direct: inclusion is no longer optional. πŸ“Š

The CDC now estimates that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. That number has grown every single year that it has been tracked.

Autistic individuals are in your child's classroom. In your neighborhood. In your congregation. At your workplace. In your family.

They are not going away.

And frankly, they shouldn't have to fight for a sense of belonging in the communities that are already theirs.

Inclusion isn't a special program. It isn't a favor. It's a baseline expectation that every human being deserves.

When we design communities, events, classrooms, and businesses that actively exclude or ignore the needs of autistic individuals, we are making a choice. And we can make a different one.

This week, we're talking about what REAL inclusion looks like and giving you practical tools to start where you are.

πŸ’™ Because East Tennessee's 36 counties belong to everyone.

πŸ‘‡ What does inclusion look like in YOUR community? Share with us below.
πŸ”— asaetc.org

Family Support Specialist Competency Course: June 22-26 via ZoomThis 40-hour course prepares individuals to support othe...
06/13/2026

Family Support Specialist Competency Course:

June 22-26 via Zoom

This 40-hour course prepares individuals to support others using their lived experience and training, and to become certified through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. This course is repeated monthly. There is a $750 fee for the course, with scholarships available for qualified applicants.

For questions or to request an application, contact [email protected].

https://www.meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/events/315123496/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=201132829

Is your workplace truly ACCEPTING of autistic employees, or just technically compliant?There's a difference. And it matt...
06/12/2026

Is your workplace truly ACCEPTING of autistic employees, or just technically compliant?

There's a difference. And it matters.

Here are 5 things any business can do starting TODAY: 🧡

1️⃣ Train your team. Not just HR, everyone. Understanding basic signs of autism helps coworkers show up with empathy, not confusion.

2️⃣ Offer clear, written instructions. Ambiguity is hard. Clear processes help everyone, but they're essential for many autistic employees.

3️⃣ Create sensory-aware spaces. Bright fluorescent lights, loud open offices, and constant interruptions can be genuinely painful. Simple adjustments make a huge difference.

4️⃣ Let people communicate their way. Not everyone thrives in face-to-face conversations. Email, written feedback, or chat tools can unlock someone's full potential.

5️⃣ Judge performance by outcomes, not social performance. Someone who doesn't make eye contact or small talk may be your most dedicated, precise employee.

Inclusion isn't just good ethics. It's good business.

πŸ”— asaetc.org
πŸ‘‡ Share this with a business owner or HR leader in your network.

Invisible doesn't mean less real. πŸ’™For families raising autistic individuals, the Tennessee Autism Awareness license pla...
06/11/2026

Invisible doesn't mean less real. πŸ’™

For families raising autistic individuals, the Tennessee Autism Awareness license plate isn't a bumper sticker; it's a communication tool.

πŸš— It tells first responders: someone in this vehicle may communicate differently.
πŸš— It tells emergency personnel: take extra time, be patient, adapt your approach.
πŸš— It tells the world: autism is here, and we are not invisible.

If you have a plate, we'd love to hear your story. Drop a πŸ’™ in the comments and share this post for a family who might need this reminder today.

πŸ”—https://www.tn.gov/.../clubs-and.../autism-awareness.html

TN Voices Agency & Resources PresentationDuring this training, we will be researching TN Voices’ programs and website, a...
06/10/2026

TN Voices Agency & Resources Presentation

During this training, we will be researching TN Voices’ programs and website, as well as exploring additional community resources and connections that families often need. We will also discuss how professionals can use these resources to better support those they serve. Be ready to share your knowledge, experiences, and resources with others. Come expand your knowledge, strengthen your resource network, and gain practical information you can use right away.

*June 16th, 2 – 3:30 pm CT.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3r5nsp4n

For more information, contact Jennifer Davis at [email protected].

https://www.meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/events/315123111/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=201132829

πŸ“ Because community IS opportunity.Every time we gather, we build something bigger than a social event; we build belongi...
06/10/2026

πŸ“ Because community IS opportunity.

Every time we gather, we build something bigger than a social event; we build belonging.

The Autism Social Scene Meetup is East Tennessee's inclusive social space for autistic adults.

πŸ“… Check the latest meetup and RSVP:
πŸ‘‰ meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/

New to the group? Bring a friend. Everyone's welcome. πŸ’™

Address

Knoxville, TN

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Autism Society East Tennessee posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Autism Society East Tennessee:

Share