Global Autism Project

Team Tuesday 💙

This week’s Team Tuesday features our Director of Programming, Mandy Childs, and proud SkillCorps® alum!

This photo was taken in July 2019 during a SkillCorps® journey to the Dominican Republic. The team included a diverse group of professionals, including an RBT, BCBAs, school psychologist, and teacher, all coming together to support our global partner and learn from one another.

What made this trip especially meaningful was that it was Mandy’s first time leading a SkillCorps® team—the beginning of her incredible journey and lasting impact with SkillCorps® and the Global Autism Project.

Today, Mandy shares her reflections and experience from her SkillCorps® experiences:

“When I went on my first SkillCorps trip I was 2 years out of college, just getting my feet under me in my career and was looking for something I could do both for myself and to better the world. The experience forced me to the edge of my comfort zone, and taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined. I came back a more relaxed and confident professional, ready to take on new challenges that I could have only dreamed of in the past. Fast forward 2 years and I was leading a trip!”

This week, we’ll hear from SkillCorps® alumni and reminisce about some of our past SkillCorps® journeys!

Today’s Mission Monday features our SkillCorps® team in the Dominican Republic in July of 2019 at our global partner, Centro ACAP. Through collaboration, learning, and cultural exchange, our teams work alongside local professionals to help strengthen autism services and create lasting impact. During this trip our SkillCorps team observed sessions at the newly opened center, supported the staff and admin in assorted brainstorming and planning sessions and even conducted a staff training on Manding.

💭 If you could travel with SkillCorps®, where would you want to go? Let us know in the comments!

SkillCorps® is more than an international travel experience—it’s a global movement dedicated to creating sustainable change in autism services around the world.

Designed for teachers, therapists, counselors, Autism professionals, and Autistic self-advocates, SkillCorps® brings together passionate leaders who collaborate with local schools, therapy centers, and community organizations to support initiatives identified by the communities themselves.

Through partnership and shared learning, participants may contribute to:
-Staff and parent training
-Community outreach efforts
-Program and resource development
-Capacity-building initiatives that create lasting impact

Along the way, you’ll gain valuable professional experience, build meaningful global connections, and grow both personally and professionally.

Ready to be part of a global movement making a difference in the Autism community?

Apply today! Globalautismproject.org/skillcorps

SkillCorps® is a 2-week international journey designed for professionals and advocates committed to advancing autism services worldwide.

Each year, SkillCorps teams travel to partner sites—including schools, therapy centers, and community organizations—to work alongside local staff in support of goals identified by the community itself.

Through this collaborative model, participants may:
-Provide staff and parent training
-Support community outreach efforts
-Help implement innovative programs and resources
-Learn from local professionals, families, and self-advocates

SkillCorps® is built on partnership, shared learning, and sustainable impact—creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange while strengthening autism services around the globe.

No fundraising experience required—we provide coaching, resources, templates, and support throughout the process.

Applications are now open! Globalautismproject.org/skillcorps

🌍 Applications for SkillCorps® 2027 are now open!

Are you a therapist, counselor, teacher, Autism professional, or Autistic self-advocate looking to make a meaningful impact on a global scale?

SkillCorps® brings together professionally diverse leaders who work alongside local schools, therapy centers, and community organizations serving the Autistic community around the world.

Through a partnership-based model, participants collaborate with local staff to support goals and initiatives identified by the community itself.

Projects may include:
-Staff and parent training
-Community outreach initiatives
-Collaborative program development
-Bringing long-awaited resources and ideas to life

This isn’t traditional volunteering—it’s an opportunity to contribute your expertise while learning from professionals, families, and self-advocates across cultures and communities.

Ready to travel with purpose and create lasting impact?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and although it is winding down, we want to thank Sara for sharing her knowledge.

Let’s continue creating spaces to talk, listen, and support.

Every conversation can lead to understanding.

Every person deserves support.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — and for many autistic people, it’s also a reminder of the long journey to understanding themselves.

Autism is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in girls and women because masking and camouflaging behaviors can hide their inner experience. For many, finally being recognized as brings clarity, healing, and liberation.

Thank you to counselor and SkillCorps alumni, , for sharing her thoughtful words, insight, and expertise on this important topic. 💙🧡

Every story matters. Every voice deserves understanding.

🌍 Empowering Families Through Autism Education in Ghana 💙🇬🇭

As part of the Mentorship Program, Selasie Esezobor, MPhil., IBA, from in Ghana, led the impactful “Autism Conference & Parent Training 2026” centered around the theme:
✨ “Bridging the Gap: Empowering Parents to Support Children with Autism” ✨

The Behaviour Hub is a behavior therapy center in Ghana focused on ABA therapy, parent coaching, school support, and empowering families through evidence-based care.
This conference brought together 175 participants for a day of learning, collaboration, and advocacy aimed at strengthening support for autistic children and their families.

Highlights from the event included:
💙 Neurodiversity and autism education
💙 Parent training sessions on ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
💙 Interactive Q&A sessions and panel discussions
💙 Community advocacy pledges
💙 A child support unit to help families participate fully

Despite challenges such as registration technology issues and attendance barriers, the team’s strong planning, collaboration, and commitment made the event a success. Weekly meetings, mentorship support, and dedicated planning committees helped ensure the conference ran smoothly and stayed aligned with its goals.

The impact was meaningful:
✨ Parents gained a deeper understanding of autism and stereotypies
✨ Families explored additional therapy options for their children
✨ Participants requested more conferences and training opportunities
✨ Community conversations around autism awareness and support continued to grow

Through education, collaboration, and locally led leadership, The Behaviour Hub is helping bridge gaps in autism support and empower families across Ghana.

🌍 ONE MONTH FOR AUTISM 💙
📍 Toliara, Madagascar 🇲🇬

This week we are featuring the events that some of our mentees from our Global Autism Project Mentorship Program have been working on.

Meet RANDRIANANTEENAINA Jean Eliot Eddy from and the MIKOLO Center, leading impactful autism awareness and inclusion initiatives throughout Autism Awareness Month.
The project, “ONE MONTH FOR AUTISM,” was created to increase understanding of autism and highlight that autistic individuals are not a burden to society, but valuable members of the community with talents, abilities, and potential.
Throughout the month, the team organized:
🚶 Inclusion & Solidarity Walks promoting respect, equality, and inclusion
🎨 Exhibitions showcasing the talents and abilities of autistic individuals
🎤 A conference on “Autism and Adolescence,” addressing challenges faced by autistic adolescents and their families
💙 “Light It Up Blue” awareness events with sports and cultural activities

The impact was incredible:
✨ Over 100 participants joined the walk
✨ More than 70 attendees participated in the exhibition, including local authorities
✨ Over 150 people attended the conference
✨ Increased awareness and growing community support for autism initiatives in Toliara

Some of the most memorable moments included the smiles of autistic children and their families during the walk, meaningful discussions during the conference, and joyful cultural activities led by Madagascar Capoeira Toliara.
Despite challenges such as limited financial resources and ongoing stigma surrounding autism, the dedication of the team, volunteers, partners, and community members made this initiative a success.

Together, we continue building a more inclusive world where autistic individuals are supported, valued, and empowered. 💙

🌍 Celebrating Inclusion and Autism Advocacy in Kenya 💙🇰🇪
Meet 4NGO, a Kenya-based organization and mentee of the Mentorship Program, mentored by Alley.
4NGO is working to unite the autism community across Africa by creating spaces where researchers, autistic self-advocates, caregivers, therapists, parents, and community leaders can collaborate, share experiences, and turn ideas into meaningful action. Their mission reflects the growing importance of locally led solutions and stronger community systems throughout Africa.
One of the incredible initiatives they supported this year was the MR & MISS AUTISM EVENT, organized by their partners at Ready Aiders Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya.
This inspiring event used a fashion pageant platform to showcase the talents, confidence, and individuality of autistic children and young adults while challenging stigma and promoting inclusion within the community.
✨ About 42 participants joined the event, including approximately 25 autistic participants alongside community stakeholders to help bridge the inclusivity gap.
The event created opportunities for:
💙 Autism awareness and acceptance
💙 Community connection and celebration
💙 Inclusive participation between autistic and non-autistic individuals
💙 Recognition of the talents and strengths of autistic youth
By creating spaces where autistic individuals can shine publicly and proudly, organizations like 4NGO and Ready Aiders Foundation are helping shift perceptions and build a more inclusive future across Africa.