Info + Resources

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Autism is proof that loves doesn't need words

〰️ Autism is proof that loves doesn't need words

Grants +Medical Resources

Pumper Car

  • Adaptive bikes for those with special needs

GPS SmartSole

  • GPS tracker that is inserted into the shoe as a sole.

MEC Disabilities

  • Provides adaptive equipment to those in need

Lending Libraries

  • List of AT and AAC Lending Library programs across the country

Billy Footwear 

  • Shoes that have zippers for those with mobility issues

AngelSense

  • GPS tracker for kids

Adaptive Equipment + Assistive Technology Grants

Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) Grant

Autism Escapes

  • Your child must have autism/ autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

  • Your child must have a coexisting medical disorder (i.e., seizures/ gastrointestinal disorder).

  • Purpose: Flights on private aircraft to a medical facility will be provided free of charge for families

Danny’s Wish

  • Application window: September 1 – December 31

  • Purpose: iPads for Autism

The Dream Factory

  • This is the only children’s wish-granting organization that does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illness.

  • Can only get a grant if they have a local chapter, however. Massachusetts doesn’t have one…yet.

Friends of Man

  • They provide grants for therapy, equipment and other needs.

  • You must have a sponsor such as an agency or social worker to apply.

Fund it Forward

  • They help them obtain expensive medical and adaptive equipment such as augmentative communication devices, bathing and feeding chairs, enclosed beds or sensory equipment.

  • It seems you raise money through fundraising but that this money then goes to the next family in need. A pay-it-forward model.

KNOWAutism

  • Autism Diagnostic Assistance Program

    • Helps subsidize the cost of diagnostic testing for children between the ages of 12 months and 14.

  • Tuition & Therapy Assistance Program

    • $1000 – $5000

    • Purposes: behavioral intervention programs, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social skills groups, special needs schools, and/or special education programs.

  • Special Interest Fund

    • $500 – $1000

    • Purposes: adaptive and inclusion programs such as specialized camps, music therapy, art therapy, yoga therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, adaptive swim lessons, and similar programming. This fund may also be used to cover fees for the services of autism/disability advocates (up to $1,000). 

Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP)

  • They provide specialized equipment, services, and education for children with special needs and their families in order to promote independence and quality of life.

  • Their website is weird and hard to navigate.

Weighted Comfort for Kids

  • $15 for a weighted lap pad

  • $20 for a weighted blanket

FODAC

  • offers free and low-cost home health care equipment, vehicle or home modification support, and more.

Lexi Kazain Foundation

  • Offers grants for assistive technology, therapy, or parent education and training.

My Gym Foundation

Gives medical and sensory equipment to children ages 6 weeks to 10 years with disabilities and special health care needs.

CARE Grant Program

  • Anybody who has a child diagnosed with autism, lives within the US and has an income level less than $75,000 per year for the entire household can apply to this grant. 

  • Purpose: to help families with medication, autism diagnosis/evaluation, therapy session (including speech, OT and ABA,) autism summer camps.

Autismazing

  • Up to $1000

  • Grants are provided to those (13-30 years old, US citizens) who intend to use or have used funds for higher education, job training, job placement, or entrepreneurship (business) needs.

Carousel Trust Fund

  • $250

  • Through DDS office

  • Deadline: February

Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS)

  • Stipend for some families; discounts at some recreational and social activities

  • Visit local office for information

Flutie Foundation Wandering Prevention Grant

  • Through this partnership, the Foundation and SafetyNet Tracking Systems will be donating a limited quantity of SafetyNet Bracelets which include a Transmitter Bracelet, Tester, 6 Month Supply of Batteries and Straps ($499 value) to caregivers of individuals with autism in select New England states with a history of wandering who could not otherwise afford them.

Giving Angels Foundation

  • $500 max one time

  • LIMITED TO PHYSICAL DISABILITY now after my application was turned down.

Joey’s Fund Family Grant Program

  • $2000

  • ONE ITEM

  • They are very hard to work with in general, but $2k is a lot of money!

  • Purpose: respite care, equestrian therapy, camp tuition, therapies, etc.

Maggie Welby Foundation

Modest Needs Grant

  • Average grant award: $750 – $1250

  • They make Self-Sufficiency Grants in an effort to assist individuals and families who, because they are working and live just above the poverty level, are ineligible for most types of conventional social assistance but who, all the same, are living one or two lost paychecks away from the kind of financial catastrophe that eventually leads to homelessness.

National Autism Association

  • Give a Voice Program

  • Non-Verbal or Emergingly Verbal individuals with ASD

  • Financial need

  • Purpose: A 32GB Apple® iPad® (9.7″ Newest Generation – Wi-Fi only)

Sunshine Foundation

  • This is a wish wish-granting organization and is one of the few charities that makes dreams come true not only terminally ill children, but chronically ill (they list autism here) and abused children as well.

Willpower Foundation Grant

  • Western Mass based!

  • WPF Grants may be awarded for up to $500 per family per calendar year.

  • Purposes: WPF specializes in funding products and services that are not typically covered by insurance or other resources, including but not limited to mobility and sensory equipment, therapeutic recreation programs, educational advocacy, private tutoring and camp expenses.

  • They are great and easy to work with!

ACT Today!

  • They offer grants up to $5000

  • One treatment item only

  • Families that make less than $100,000 annually will be considered first but we do not automatically disqualify applicants because of their family income

  • Purpose: protective helmets, GPS tracking devices, sensory equipment or installing special safety fences to keep children protected in their environment, assistive technology, etc.

Administration for Children and Families

  • Federal grants and sometimes state grants

AANE Asperger/Autism Network

  • $500 max

  • Asperger’s or Level 1 Autism only

  • This grant is specifically for low and moderate income families. Priority will be given to families with an income at or under $44,100 (for a family of four), although in special circumstances families with higher income will be considered. 

  • Purpose (open): Occupational therapy, sensory training, vision services, camp tuition, etc.

Different Needz Foundation

  • Purpose: they offer special needs families a one-stop shop to buy and sell their gently used medical and special needs equipment and adaptive toys. They also have a grant available to purchase such items as well.

First Hand Foundation

  • There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses.

  • One request per year, per child for a maximum of three times in a child’s lifetime.

  • They do not list an amount, but if you see what they have granted before, it is a lot.

  • Purposes:

    • Treatment: Clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.

    • Equipment: Wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.

    • Displacement: Lodging (only if charitable housing is unavailable), gas ($0.33 per mile), parking and transportation related to a child’s care

    • Vehicle modifications: Lifts, ramps and transfer boards

Laila Rose Foundation

  • Purpose: To provide financial assistance to those with medical needs – including medical equipment, personal adaptive support services, counseling services, assistive technology, home modifications, and recreational equipment to improve the quality of life for the child.

MyGoal Family Grant

  • $1000

  • Deadline: July 27, 2019

  • Based on economic need and ASD diagnosis

  • Purposes:

    • Medical – To assist in paying non-reimbursable medical expenses, including first-time visit to an Autism-related specialist

    • Nutrition To purchase vitamins or other nutritional supplements that are specifically designed for children with ASD.

    • Personal Needs – To provide for the personal needs of the individual with ASD.

Small Steps in Speech

  • Must have a licensed speech therapist

  • Grants are not based solely on financial need.  The financial needs of the family are considered, however, applications will not be accepted for a joint family income in excess of $100,000.

  • Purpose: AAC evaluations; speech therapy; AAC apps (not iPads)

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF)

  • They provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.

  • The amount awarded to an individual within a 12-month period is limited to up to $5,000. Awards to any one individual are limited to a lifetime maximum of $10,000.

  • Must have private health insurance (MassHealth can be secondary)

  • Need a letter from pediatrician to support

  • Income dependent slightly

  • Purposes: sensory equipment, sensory praxis testing, occupational therapy, ABA therapy, medical services, treatments and therapies

  • Very easy to work with!

Want to be added to our resource list or do you have a recommendation? Submit your request here.