Autism Society East Tennessee

You can't see autism. That's exactly why this matters. 🚗💙

Autism is known as an invisible disability, meaning there are no visible physical signs that a person is autistic. In a traffic stop, at the scene of an accident, or in an emergency, first responders may not know.

The Tennessee Autism Awareness license plate changes that.

It's a permanent signal on your vehicle that the people in your life may need specialized care, communication support, or a different approach in a crisis.

It's not just a plate. It's a lifeline.

🔗 Learn more: asaetc.org or TN.gov/revenue
If your family benefits from this plate, share this post. You might help another family get one. 💙

📍 Connection is part of access too.

The Autism Social Scene Meetup is East Tennessee's community space for autistic adults to gather, connect, and just BE.

No agenda. No pressure. Just community. 💙

📅 Check the latest event details and RSVP:
👉 meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/

Tag a friend who might want to join! 👇

🎓 Every child on the autism spectrum deserves a quality education. But for too many families across East Tennessee, that's not the reality they're living.

The truth is: a shortage of trained educators, limited school resources, and a system that wasn't always built with autistic learners in mind have created real gaps in classrooms, in counties, and in access to services.

This June, we're talking about ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY.

For the next four weeks, we'll explore education, employment, and inclusion, and what it takes to close the gaps for autistic individuals and their families across our 36-county region.

Because awareness alone isn't enough. We believe in ACCEPTANCE. And acceptance starts with knowledge.

👇 Tell us: What's ONE thing you wish more educators knew about autism?
🔗 Learn more at asaetc.org

Teen Connect

It is for parents/caregivers of teenagers ages 12-18 who have challenging behaviors that put them at risk of out-of-home placement or whose children are already placed outside of the home. It teaches parents how to respond to a teenager who is struggling behaviorally or emotionally, using empathy. It teaches how attachment relates to teen development, as well as helping the parent to better identify the need the teenager is expressing through their behavior. Teen Connect is a ten-week-long, free online program. Classes are offered during the day as well as in the evening.

For more information or to make a referral, please contact Monique Jenkins, [email protected], or Karen Howell, [email protected]

Upcoming Classes:

Wednesday's 11am CST/12pm EST - beginning 7/1/26

Thursday's 5pm CST/6pm EST - beginning 7/2/26

Monday's 11am CST/12pm EST - beginning 7/6/26

Tuesday's 5pm CST/6pm EST - beginning 7/7/26

https://www.meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/events/314806228/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=201132829

May has been about families.

About the caregivers who show up before sunrise and after sunset. About the partners who open their doors without hesitation. About the families who drove across East Tennessee to be part of something together.

Thank you for this month. We are just getting started.

Learn more about how to get involved: www.asaetc.org

A gentle reminder that Tennessee's Autism Awareness license plate is available for registration year-round.

It is one of the few permanent, visible ways to identify that someone in a vehicle may have autism and could need specialized care in an emergency. Autism is an invisible disability. This plate makes the need visible when it matters most.

It also supports our work here at ASAETC.

Register: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/license-plates/available-license-plates/clubs-and-organizations/autism-awareness.html

Our Autism Social Scene Meetup community is free, open to all, and active year-round.

Events, resources, peer connection, and support for East Tennessee families navigating autism. All in one place.

Join here: https://www.meetup.com/east-tn-autism-social-scene/

STRIDE was one of the outstanding community partners who made our Family Fun Day Series a success.

Partnerships like this one are how we expand access for families across East Tennessee who deserve more options, more inclusion, and more support. We are grateful for every organization willing to be part of that work.

Family Support Specialist Competency Course

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.

Date: June 22-26 via Zoom

Fee: $750 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/314806048/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=201132829

On this Memorial Day, we are thinking about the families in our community who carry so much every single day.

Thank you for the ways you advocate, love, and persist on behalf of the people who need you most. That dedication is its own kind of service.