Noticias

We had a great time at the AST Austin Marathon aid station cheering on runners! Thanks to our amazing partnership with Austin Marathon and the Moody Foundation, we were able to raise a grand total of $22,396 in no small part to the Moody Match! Thank you to everyone who ran for AST, volunteered, and donated to make this possible. We also held our annual board retreat with our staff and board. We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated Board of Directors for their ongoing volunteer leadership and support! They traveled from across Texas to come together, reflect, and plan for the future-focusing on goals and strategy to strengthen our services and advocacy for the autism community. We provided a free virtual education event on Navigating College, which can be viewed on our Youtube channel here!  We finished out the month at the Capitol. Libby, our Public Policy Fellow through the ACT LEND program at UT Austin went to the Capitol with Jacquie to discuss legislation regarding ways to improve Autism training for first responders!

In February, Shanna Watts crossed the finish line in the Austin Marathon running her first half-marathon and raising $915 for the Autism Society of Texas.  “I began running to take control of my health,” Shanna says, “so I can live a long, strong life and be there for my son, William, for as long as possible. When I realized I could raise funds while taking on this challenge, it sealed my decision. It meant every mile could make a difference beyond just me.” 

William is Autistic and nonverbal but Shanna describes him as having a big personality. “While he may not use words to communicate,” Shanna shares, “he speaks volumes through his strength, his resilience, and the love he brings into our family every single day.”  When Shanna created her marathon fundraising page, she was nervous about her goal of $500.  Her family had only lived in their small town for less than a year and she didn’t have many local ties.  She was also hesitant about posting her 7-year-old son’s photo online but knew that was the best way to connect with others. After sharing her campaign in several social media groups, Shanna was shocked when she quickly reached $500 in donations. 

William’s photo turned out to be the key to her success. People she didn’t know recognized William from encounters with him and his big personality in the community and at his school.  Touched by the generosity her son had inspired, Shanna knew she could do more and increased her goal to $1,000.  The funds she raised will be used to provide guidance, support, and advocacy for people with Autism across Texas and, as Shanna wrote on her fundraising page, “ensure that children like William are not just seen, but valued – and that families like ours never feel alone.”

Congratulations on completing your first marathon, Shanna, and for being a champion for everyone in the Autism community!

Allison Eisenhut, our intern through the 2025-2026 ACT LEND program, presented to some of our parent connection groups throughout  January.  Allison is a Doctoral Student at Baylor University, and has nearly completed her clinical work. She plans to become a school psychologist. Allison presented on “Navigating Special Education Evaluations: A Parent’s Guide” in order to help families who may be feeling overwhelmed or unsure about evaluations, diagnoses, and next steps for their child.  She will be presenting to our El Paso group and South Austin groups soon!

Our Texas Autism Walk as well as our El Paso Walk & 5K registrations went live. Both will be happening on Saturday, April 25th, and there is a virtual option as well so individuals and families can participate from anywhere!

Also our Deputy Director, Adriana, presented at ACT/LEND’s Spring Seminar!

Job Description | Community Engagement Coordinator – Austin

Job Title: Community Engagement Coordinator

Location: Austin, Texas (Local candidates only-must attend in-person events)

Position Type: Part-Time, 6-Month Contract (with potential for renewal)

Hourly Rate: $20-$23/hour (Dependent on Experience)

Hours: 25 hours per week, includes some evenings and weekends for events/meetings

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Overview: The Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for representing the Autism Society of Texas (AST) at community events, coordinating and supporting volunteers both in Austin and remotely across Texas, and assisting with social media outreach. This position will play a crucial role in fostering relationships with community members, donors, and volunteers while helping expand AST’s impact and visibility in the Austin area and beyond. This is a hybrid position that includes time working from AST’s Central Austin office, working remotely from home, and participating in community-based events and activities.

Key Responsibilities

Community Event Coordination:

Represent AST at community events, including advocacy, fundraising, and outreach initiatives in Austin and surrounding areas.

Plan, coordinate, and execute AST’s participation in local events to raise awareness and engagement.

Collaborate with other team members to align event goals with organizational priorities.

Volunteer Management:

Recruit, train, and manage volunteers for community events and programs remotely across Texas.

Develop and implement strategies to retain and engage volunteers.

Ensure volunteers are supported and recognized for their contributions.

Outreach:

Post events and activities to social media to promote awareness and engagement.

Create basic fliers and materials for events (templates and training available). 

Make connections to promote the work of AST.

Donor Stewardship:

May assist in performing donor stewardship activities, including but not limited to maintaining communication with donors, acknowledging their contributions, and keeping them informed of AST’s activities.

Administrative Support:

Manage volunteer database, ensuring records are up to date and accurate.

Support the development of community engagement materials, event flyers, and social media posts. 

Skills and Experience:

• Experience in community engagement, volunteer management, or donor relations, preferably in a nonprofit environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse groups.
• Experience working with Autistic children, teens, or adults – group facilitation, coordination, social interactions.
• Organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with volunteer or donor management software (or willingness to learn).
• A passion for working with individuals and families impacted by Autism.
• Experience in presenting to stakeholders, families, professionals, and community groups
• Bilingual Spanish preferred, not required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, social work, Special Education or related field.
• 2-3 years of experience in a similar role (preferred).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including regular evening and weekend community events required
• Must have valid drivers license, own vehicle to travel to events, including transporting event supplies
• Ability to lift and transport event materials (up to 35 lbs) and assist with event setup and breakdown, including tents, tablecloths, flyers, apparel, and sensory kits. Reasonable accommodations available.
• Must live in or near Austin, Texas for in-person events

Why Join AST: As part of the Autism Society of Texas, you will be working alongside passionate individuals to create connections and empower the Autism community across the state. You’ll be part of an organization dedicated to providing support and resources to adults and families affected by Autism.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume detailing their experience and qualifications. To apply please email info@texasautismsociety.org.

Jake Epple has always been active in sports, but never as a competitive runner. This changed a few months ago when he signed up for the 2026 Austin Marathon. Not only did he take on the challenge of running the full 26.2 miles, he also committed to raising $1,000 for the Autism Society of Texas.

The desire to support individuals with Autism isn’t new to Jake. Growing up in a small town in New York, Jake volunteered at school and in the community for programs that promoted inclusion and independence for children with special needs.  “This is something I have been passionate about my entire life,” Jake says, “and I am excited to have the opportunity to stay involved while I am at school at the University of Texas at Austin.”

Jake has been training for the marathon for a little over 3 months now and has seen huge improvements in his strength, stamina, and distance.  On January 13^th, Jake launched his fundraising campaign with emails to friends and family.  Many of them reached out to him after they donated to tell him about their connection to Autism.  It didn’t take long for Jake to reach his goal, raising a total of $1,006 in just one week!

We are so grateful to Jake for selecting the Autism Society of Texas as his charitable cause for the Austin Marathon.  We’ll be cheering for him and our other marathon fundraisers as they race to the finish line on February 15^th.  They are all champions to us and the thousands of individuals and families across Texas they are supporting!

We were so excited to have Erica Lewis join our board last year! Erica Lewis is a contracts and risk management professional with over fourteen years of experience guiding organizations through complex regulatory and operational challenges. She’s known for turning policy into practical solutions that strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and support mission success across industries from oil and gas to government. Erica holds an LL.M. in Risk Management and Cybersecurity Policy, a Juris Doctor, and a B.A. in English–Creative Writing. 

Why did you join the board? 

I have used AST community resources, such as the newsletter and support groups, and I was looking for a way to contribute to the Autism community in a large way and saw the opening for board members.

I wanted to join the AST Board after recognizing the need for greater collaboration and partnership in the area of Autism. Every community in our state needs to recognize the long-term gift in making safe, accessible connections in this area. It is no longer acceptable for only a few.

¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de AST o de formar parte del Consejo?

I love the fact that I can make connections with stakeholders who have experience with Autism in so many different ways. It will only make me stronger, and more intentional, in supporting this great work.

¡Tuvimos un diciembre muy ajetreado!

Ha comenzado nuestra campaña «Season of Giving», nuestra mayor campaña de recaudación de fondos que ayuda a financiar nuestros programas y apoyo el año siguiente. Todavía estamos a mitad de camino de nuestro objetivo. Puede ayudarnos a alcanzarlo haciendo una donación en nuestra página de donaciones GivenGain a través de la Maratón de Austin 2026.

Nuestras fiestas navideñas Autista y para padres y cuidadores Thrive fueron un gran éxito. ¡Gracias a todos los que se ofrecieron como voluntarios y realizaron donaciones para que la fiesta fuera tan divertida, y gracias a los asistentes por acompañarnos!

El 1 de diciembre, nos unimos a defensores y familiares para honrar el legado de Justin Dart, Jr. en la ceremonia conmemorativa de la estación de transporte público Lead On, celebrada en el complejo del Capitolio de Texas. La estación de tránsito proporciona una mayor accesibilidad al Capitolio. Este evento celebra la primera instalación permanente en el Complejo del Capitolio en honor a un destacado tejano con discapacidad: el extraordinario Justin Dart, Jr., a menudo llamado el «padrino de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA)». Al conmemorar el 35.º aniversario de la ADA el año pasado, recordamos el poderoso mensaje de Justin Dart: «¡Adelante!», un llamamiento a continuar trabajando por la igualdad, la inclusión y el respeto hacia todas las personas con discapacidad.

También queremos expresar nuestro más sincero agradecimiento a ReeceHVAC por donar 25 tarjetas regalo de Walmart por valor de 100 dólares cada una, que hemos podido entregar a familias necesitadas de nuestra comunidad como parte de su programa de donación «100 dólares por 1000». Nuestras familias están muy agradecidas, especialmente con todos los gastos que conllevan las fiestas.

¡Tuvimos un mes de noviembre muy emocionante, reuniéndonos con miembros de la comunidad!

¡Dimos inicio a la temporada navideña con tres fiestas para familias en Austin, Houston y El Paso! Las familias pudieron conocer organizaciones que prestan servicios a la Autismo , participar en juegos y actividades divertidas, y tuvieron la oportunidad de tomarse fotos con Papá Noel.

¡También fuimos socios beneficiarios del 12.º Autismo anual Putt Fore Autismo de Spark Learning en Peter Pan Mini-Golf! Gracias a Spark Learning y a sus generosos patrocinadores, se recaudaron 14 016,07 dólares para Autismo de Texas. Muchas gracias a todos los que participaron y a Spark Learning por su continuo apoyo, han tenido un impacto ENORME.

¡También estamos muy agradecidos por haber sido seleccionados nuevamente como uno de los beneficiarios sin fines de lucro del Torneo de Golf Richard P. Slaughter & Associates, que se llevó a cabo a principios de mes! Desde que comenzó el Torneo de Golf Slaughter & Associates, se han recaudado más de 750 000 dólares para organizaciones sin fines de lucro locales y, solo este año, se recaudaron la impresionante suma de 65 000 dólares que se repartirán entre los cuatro beneficiarios sin fines de lucro. ¡Muchas gracias a todo el equipo de Richard P. Slaughter & Associates y a los patrocinadores participantes por el enorme impacto que han tenido en AST y en nuestra comunidad!

Anna Sciarillo es una de nuestras nuevas integrantes de la junta directiva, que se unió a nosotros a principios de este otoño, pero ya habíamos trabajado con ella en el ámbito de la defensa de los derechos antes de que se incorporara formalmente a nuestra junta y estamos muy contentos de tenerla con nosotros. Lea su entrevista a continuación.

¿Cuál es su conexión con Autismo?

Cuando era más joven, a mi primo le diagnosticaron Autismo, y ver su trayectoria fue mi primer contacto con la Autismo . Ver el impacto que podían tener apoyo, la compasión y la comprensión me inspiró a involucrarme y, más tarde, a convertirme en analista conductual certificado (BCBA).

¿Por qué decidió formar parte del Consejo de Administración de AST?

Como BCBA con más de 10 años de experiencia, he participado activamente en la configuración de iniciativas de promoción para ampliar el acceso a los servicios de ABA en todo Texas, incluida la incorporación de la cobertura de Medicaid para ABA. Me apasiona utilizar esa experiencia para apoyo iniciativas apoyo e impactantes, aumentar los recursos y ayudar a crear un cambio significativo para las personas con autismo en todo el estado.

¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de AST o de formar parte del Consejo?

Disfruto mucho de la colaboración y la oportunidad de trabajar junto a personas con experiencias, perspectivas y antecedentes diversos. La variedad de opiniones crea un entorno dinámico en el que se reúnen ideas significativas para apoyo mejor apoyo comunidad autista de Texas. Estoy emocionado por seguir aprendiendo de quienes me rodean y aportar mi propia experiencia para ayudar a impulsar un cambio significativo.

¡Tuvimos un mes de octubre muy emocionante, reuniéndonos con miembros de la comunidad!

Autismo de Texas fue la beneficiaria de Questing for Autismo, que recaudó más de 2400 dólares para la AST. Muchísimas gracias a Redtigerpro y Aaron Bothne por organizar el evento, así como a Alienware y Trader Joe's por los premios.