Our mission
Our mission is to be a lifeline and hub for families and adults, providing support, information, and advocacy.
Founded in 1996, the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania serves thousands of families, professionals, and adults seeking help for autism questions and concerns. Autism Connection staff understand your perspective. They provide email and telephone support, autism news, sensory-friendly activities, and training for parents, professionals, educators, and first responders, and the organization sponsors support groups across Pennsylvania.
All ages. All stages.
Latest Blog Posts
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania is thrilled to be chatting with Ayana Singh, a high school freshman who’s already making an impressive impact in the world of science and advocacy. In 2024, she created a well-being and sensory journal for caregivers and people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to track progress and day-to-day life online. This year, she created a machine learning model that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to predict autism severity. Both projects were presented at the read more
We have taught about the medical diagnosis of autism for almost 25 years. Before the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded brain research, teaching felt like simply trying to convince people, without evidence, that behavior and communication were different because an autistic person’s brain and body made them that way. People still walked away skeptical. Teachers still blamed parenting. Folks said it was vaccines. Giving talks felt weak and at times pointless when too many people had closed minds. Pictures read more
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania is a charitable partner for the 2025 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Run for a Reason! There are 10 different events during Marathon weekend, and we hope you’ll choose Autism Connection of Pennsylvania as your charity! How it Works in 5 Steps: Step 1: Choose Your Event Select one of 10 events, including the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 4-mile fitness challenge, 5K, champions mile, kids marathon, toddler trot, or pet walk. Step 2: Fuel Your read more