About us
Autistic-led. Community-built.
Autistic Youth International, formerly Autism Kids, was founded by Rebecca Tarrant, an Autistic person and the mother of an Autistic child.
Our story
From a local effort to an international mission.
What began as a local effort to increase representation and community for Autistic children has grown into an organization focused on advocacy, creating sensory-friendly events, and providing inclusive books to Title I schools and book deserts.
At AYI, we believe representation matters because we live it. We are all Autistic, and our work is shaped by lived experience, advocacy and a shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for Autistic youth.
Autistic Youth International continues to grow through international philanthropy as well as our work right here at home. No matter where we are, our mission stays the same: ensuring Autistic youth are represented and included in their communities.
Help Autistic youth be seen, celebrated and included.
Every gift puts an inclusive book in a child's hands and keeps our sensory-friendly events free.