ABS Kids is proud to support the incredible work of Autism Tennessee. We believe in the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where all voices are heard.
By Jeremi Fulmore, Communications Associate at ABS Kids
ABS Kids is proud to support organizations that make a meaningful impact in the lives of families raising autistic children. As a proud sponsor of AutismTN, we are committed to helping amplify the voices of self-advocates, supporting parents, and creating more inclusive opportunities for the entire autism community.
AutismTN Executive Director Jessica Moore was a guest on our Autism Weekly podcast this week. She highlighted the organization’s remarkable work, provided helpful information for families raising autistic children, and shared her inspiring path from a career in interior design to becoming a gentle sleep coach and eventually leading one of Tennessee's most influential autism advocacy organizations.
That interior design experience, which focused on creating enjoyable spaces for clients, was surprisingly relevant to her advocacy work.
“Interior design is about listening to people and creating environments that work for them,” she said on the podcast. “In many ways, advocacy is similar. You have to listen to the needs of the community and work together to create environments where autistic individuals can thrive.”
Jessica’s passion for advocating for individuals with autism and supporting families through AutismTN has transformed the organization into a driving force for positive change.
AutismTN is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with autism to share their voices and experiences. One of the organization’s key missions is amplifying the voices of self-advocates – those on the spectrum who can offer invaluable insights into what it means to live with autism.
“The voices of self-advocates are the most important voices we can listen to because they drive our work,” Jessica said. “We need to create opportunities for them to share their experiences, so we can learn from them and make meaningful change.”
Providing resources
AutismTN also provides crucial support to families raising autistic children. From educational resources and training to advocacy and community events, the organization is committed to helping families navigate the often-complex journey of raising a child on the autism spectrum.
AutismTN offers a variety of programs and services that aim to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families, including
One of the standout initiatives highlighted during the podcast was the Drive to Thrive collaboration with Vanderbilt University, San Diego State University. This partnership is focused on amplifying the voices of the local autistic community and providing resources and support that promote wellbeing and success for autistic individuals.
Other key takeaways
Jessica believes listening to the voices of both self-advocates and caregivers is crucial to creating meaningful change. As parents, learning from those with lived experiences can help inform how to better support your child and create an environment where they can thrive.
Another thought-provoking topic was the use of language within the autism community, particularly debate between person-first and identity-first language. Jessica shared how AutismTN navigates this complex issue, highlighting the importance of respecting everyone's language preference.
“There’s a shift among autistic people to say, ‘I am autistic, and it’s part of my identity,’” she explained. “We have to respect that choice, while also recognizing that not everyone identifies in the same way.”
This discussion is particularly relevant for families, as it underscores the importance of listening to how your child identifies and respecting their preferences as they grow and develop their own sense of identity.
ABS Kids partnership
We are a sponsor of AutismTN, supporting many of their activities for the autism community. We’ve enjoyed a great community partner relationship with them over our past three years providing services in TN.
For families raising autistic children, having access to resources, support, and a sense of community is essential. We encourage all families to explore the incredible resources available through AutismTN and to get involved in this vibrant community.
Together, we can build a more inclusive world for autistic individuals and ensure that every voice is heard.
For more information on AutismTN and how to get involved, visit their website at AutismTN.org. You can also listen to the full episode of Autism Weekly featuring Jessica Moore on our podcast page.