Essential Resources for Families

National

 

  • Autism Speak- Grants for Families (Some of these are through National Organizations)
  • Ability found: provides people with disabilities with much-needed equipment to facilitate independence, productivity, safety, opportunity and dignity. EX) they can provide pediatric adapted strollers, daily feeding chairs, toleting equipments, bathing equipments, augmentative communication devices
  • Autism spectrum Disorders Foundation (ASDF):

- Summer Scholarship Program: to support social skills camps swimming programs and equine assisted services. This helps give children the opportunity to participate in programming that enhances their communication skills and self-confidence

(Application begin May 1, 2025 at 10AM EST) : need for application would be the name and date of camp, and amount requested and date the funds are due

https://myasdf.org/scholarship-application/

iPads for Kids Program: puts a proven tool to enhance communication for autistic children ( Applications are available year round)

https://myasdf.org/ipad-for-kids-application/

Holiday gift cards: allowing families to focus on providing the most enriching and meaningful experiences for their autistic child (application is available beginning November 15, 2024 at 10AM)

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

  • Offers medical assistance grants up to $5,000 for medical services or equipments not fully covered by typical health insurance would cover. This would include speech, physical, and occupational therapy* (There are some things that might fall under the expulsion list, would need to look and see if they fall under that). The grant can also help with wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eyeglasses, and other needs.
  • Eligibility requirements: Age: 16 years of age or younger at the time of application,
  • Income requirements: Family of 2: $65,000 or less, Family of 3: $100,000 or less, Family of 4: $135,000 or less, Family size of 5 or more: $170,000
  • Must be a citizen of the United States and has a SSN, TIN are not accepted
  • The child must be medically insured by a commercial health plan. Or secondary insurance like Medicaid or CHIP
  • And complete the online application
  • Have all the required documents such as IRS 1040 form, Insurance card, medical condition forms https://www.uhccf.org/app/uploads/2024/07/Physician-Form5.29.24.pdf
  • https://www.uhccf.org/apply-for-a-grant/

Show Hope Medical Grant Adoption

  • This is used for medical care or medical equipment for children who have joined their families through adoption. They are non-transferrable and for the sole purpose of covering medical care or medical equipment expenses for the child named on the application. Medical services covered by grant funds must be completed before the child turns 18 years old.
  • If being used for occupational therapy i
  • They need to collect the following pieces of information: church address, phone number, website, and pastor’s email address, IRS tax information (1040 or 1099 and W-2 forms) for the past two years (black out the social security numbers), current eyar pay stub, net worth of property, investments, goods, and liquid assets, insurance summary of benefits and coverage documents, monthly claims statement or EOB showing deductible/OOP max and amount met, most recent home study, and family photo (optional, but might the case)
  • https://showhope.org/our-work/adoption-aid/apply-for-an-adoption-aid-grant/ (Link to the application for the June cycle the application is March 31st)
  • March 31 (for the June Decision Period)
  • June 30 (for the September Decision Period)
  • September 30 (for the December Decision Period)
  • December 31 (for the March Decision Period)

MyGOAL Autism Grant

  • To support families caring for individuals with Autism. The MyGOal Autism Grant is offered once a year, applications are available at the beginning of the year and decisions are rendered in mid-July
  • To assist in paying non-reimbursable medical expenses, including the first time visit to biomedical and other autism-related specialist, to purchase vitamins or other nutritional supplements that are specifically designed for children with ASD, to provide personal needs for the individuals with ASD, and to have interactive activities are beneficials for the development of individual (s) including camps and other services
  • 2025 cycle starts on February 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025. And the recipients will be notified by July 15th 2025.
  • It is worth $1,000
  • Documents that are needed are The Medical Health Assessment Questionnaire, Grant Application Cover Letter, and a copy of the previous year’s Tax return or proof of SSI Statement
  • The applicants must be the primary caregiver of individual on the Autism Spectrum and provide all the necessary information

The Maggie Welby Foundation

  • Scholarships for children grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.
  • They are awarded annually to children who demonstrate a financial need, and complete the Maggie Welby Foundation Scholarship Application.
  • It will open on March 1st- March 31st 2025, then the applications will be reviewed in May 2025 by email or US postal service
  • To apply you must fill out all the applications and write an essay. Parents and guardians are also welcome to apply for younger students
  • All the information provided on this application is personal and confidential and will be used solely for the purposes of consideration for a scholarship
  • The Maggie Welby Foundation awards scholarships twice a year. Applications open during the months of March and October and are awarded in the months of December and May.

Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship

  • April 1, 2025 is the deadline
  • The scholarship is intended to assist a deserving autistic child who needs financial aid for educational or recreational opportunities. The award may be used towards a camp, tutoring, education, or other tools to help the student progress and live a fulfilling, happy life.
  • To be eligible, applicants have to be a student, diagnosed with autism, and a resident of the United States
  • $500 is the amount awarded
  • Fill out the application form:
  • https://form.jotform.com/242033799134155
  • You need to have a letter or video describing financial need. Have a parent, friend, relative, or teacher write a letter or record a video describing how the financial award would benefit them. They are looking for what the award will be used for. They need to know the overall needs are far greater than the award, so the more specific you can be about how this would benefit the child, the helpful this item will be.
  • Then the applicant will also need ONE letter or video of recommendation. The letter can be from a teacher, employer, friend, sibling, or community leader. They should attest to the applicant’s character, ability, and need for financial aid for educational or recreational opportunities.
  • Then a photo and agree to allow the scholarship foundation to use his or her name, photo, video, letter and/or on the website.
  • https://versustexas.com/autism-scholarship/ For more information regarding the scholarship!