If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!
Autism Empowerment wants visitors to be able to access reference information, resources, and support through our website, through our programs, and support services. Having knowledge is empowering. We created this page to connect you with other not-for-profit organizations throughout the United States and worldwide that are also dedicated to providing [...]
Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Resources Why this resource page matters. At Autism Empowerment, we are committed to supporting the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals in our community. Research shows that people on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at significantly higher risk [...]
Hold My Beer A Film by Brian Tashima Produced by Second Player Score and Autism Empowerment <span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span [...]
Acronym and Initialism Directory An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word. An initialism is an abbreviation consisting of initial letters pronounced separately (e.g., DDA or IEP) Alphabet soup is often used as a metaphor for an abundance of [...]
Autism Serves Volunteerism Program Autism Empowerment introduces a positive and proactive program for our community and for our world. Our Autism Serves volunteerism program also known as Autism Serves Across the Lifespan was founded on the guiding belief that children and adults each have unique strengths, talents and gifts. Some [...]
Community Collaborations Autism Empowerment is physically based in Vancouver, Washington. We are considered part of Southwest Washington although we are also very close to the Oregon border and interact frequently with the Portland, OR metro community. We believe it is important to be actively involved in our community. Community [...]
Past Autism Empowerment Outreach Events Outreach events and activities that we participate in give youth, adults and families impacted by Autism and Asperger's to have an opportunity to connect with Autism Empowerment and to meet other members of the autism and autistic community. There are many opportunities throughout each [...]
Getting an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis / The Diagnostic Process Autism varies widely in severity and as it is a spectrum disorder, it will present differently from one person to another and from male to female. Signs and symptoms may go unrecognized, especially if they initially appear as mild or [...]
Autism Serves – Helping Hands Empowering Neurodivergent Teens & Young Adults Through Volunteerism A neurodivergent-led volunteerism program from Autism Empowerment that brings teens, young adults, families, and community supporters together to serve others, build friendships, and make a positive difference. The Next Generation of Service is Here! Autism Serves [...]
Autism Serves - Helping Hands Empowering Neurodivergent Teens & Young Adults Through Volunteerism Welcome! We are a neurodivergent-led volunteerism program from Autism Empowerment that brings teens, young adults, older adults, families, and community supporters together to serve others, build friendships, and make a positive difference. The Next Generation of [...]
  Get Involved, Make Impact & Stay Connected! Autism Empowerment believes in positive collaboration and community involvement! We strongly believe in creating an Autism Empowerment community where all people on the autism spectrum feel welcome. When you support Autism Empowerment, you are telling the people that we serve that [...]
AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective AE-NCC Resource Library Welcome | Upcoming Events | Past Events | Resource Library (see below) Welcome to the AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective (AE-NCC) Resource Library, a growing hub of free tools, guides, videos, and inspiration for autistic and neurodivergent creators. Whether your passion is acting, [...]
Autism Empowerment Mission Autism Empowerment is devoted to promoting a culture of acceptance, enrichment, and empowerment in the lives of children, teens, adults and families in Autism, Autistic and neurodivergent communities. We offer innovative and inspiring programs, training, and services as well as opportunities for leadership and volunteerism for [...]
Core Values, Beliefs, and Goals At Autism Empowerment, our work is guided by four foundational pillars and values that shape everything we do: Accept, Enrich, Inspire, and Empower. These values are at the heart of our mission, our programs, and our community. They represent a commitment to honoring the [...]
Autism Empowerment is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization devoted to enriching and empowering the lives of youth, adults, and families within autistic and neurodivergent communities. We promote a culture of Autism Acceptance and believe that each one of us has gifts and talents to make the [...]
Our Four Foundational Pillars The four foundational pillars of Autism Empowerment are: Accept Enrich Inspire Empower These pillars are part of our organizational core values and are incorporated into our website, our programs, our support services and our community.  Accept We promote the unconditional acceptance of autistic individuals for who they [...]
Autism Facts Quick Start New visitor? Please check out "Understanding Autism, A Few Quick Notes." This Autism Quick-Start section is meant to provide a quick introduction to basic autism facts written in conversational language. Autism is a Developmental Disability Autism is considered a developmental disability and neurological [...]
What is Asperger syndrome? Asperger or Asperger's syndrome (AS) is a developmental autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The discovery of Asperger Syndrome (AS) dates back to 1944. Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger described the syndrome when he was treating four boys with similar symptoms. His writings remained relatively unknown until 1981 [...]
Autism Empowerment Programs & Support Services Autism Empowerment is devoted to promoting a culture of acceptance, enrichment, and empowerment for children, teens, adults and families in autism and neurodivergent communities. Local programming takes place in the Southwest Washington and Portland, OR metro area. This includes AE's Neurodivergent [...]
Past Project Examples The first season of the Autism Serves Kids Care Club took place October 2015 through June 2016. Here are photos of some of the monthly projects and events that club members participated in. In 2025, the Autism Serves Kids Care Club evolved and relaunched under a [...]