I get asked a lot about which charities are worthwhile to support during Autism Awareness Month.
Here's the first point - NOT Autism Speaks. They simply don't put enough of their vast funds raised into family support. Don't buy a blue light bulb. Don't donate to them. If they can pay their President (base salary over $370,000) a similar amount to what the President of the United States ($400,000) earns (they do), they simply don't need your money. Don't fool yourself into thinking you are doing anything for autism awareness or action by giving anything to them. You're not.
My first advice is to find an organization that is local to you. Find a non-profit that makes a difference in your own community.
Orgs in Colorado include -
Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center
Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
Alpine Autism Center
PlayDate Behavioural Interventions
SPD Foundation
National Orgs I like -
Generation Rescue
National Autism Association
Safeminds
TeamTMR
Any of these organizations are worthwhile. They actually help families, which is more than a lightbulb will ever do.
