Sparking conversations for autism, we at The Multicultural Autism Action Network of Minnesota (MAAN) are proud to announce that our website has been updated so that it’s easier to use.
Autism knows no race, gender, or religion. It can affect anyone, and families should have access to the resources they need to thrive in society. This is especially true for minority families of autistic children who are often made to feel inferior to others because they are “different.”
Featuring a simpler interface, our new website makes it easier for multi-cultural communities to access the necessary support and education they need for autistic children. We attempt to start the conversation of autism among minority groups, especially within the Oromo, Somali, Native American, and Asian communities, to create an empowered environment of inclusion.
Meet us today at https://maanmn.org
One of the goals of our newly upgraded website is to provide educational resources that overcome communication barriers among minority communities in their autism education programs. We have leveraged the rich history of storytelling traditions to offer materials that can be downloaded as video or audio files.
For more than five years, we have worked with various service providers such as teachers, doctors, and police on how to effectively work with autistic individuals so that they can become contributing members of society and not be ostracized or isolated.
Founded and operated by parents of autistic children, our organization is driven by our goal of removing the stigma of autism in society. To date, we have helped more than 300 families in the state find the help they need, and the number continues to grow! Further details can be found at https://www.maanmn.org/why-we-are-different
In the past year, we have sought to expand our reach by partnering up with the Autism Society of Minnesota to build the first-of-its-kind, sensory-friendly COVID-19 vaccine clinic. This has been instrumental in creating a safe environment for autistic individuals who often have anxiety about unfamiliar experiences and changes in routine. Watch one of our videos at https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2801490343495757&id=100009044560123
With the launch of our newly updated website, we hope to help more families with autistic children find the resources they need to thrive in society. Our five board members, Fatima Molas, Delia Samuel, Rufo Jiru, Maren Christenson, and Abyan Ali, invite you to visit our website and provide feedback on what else could be improved. Meet our board at https://www.maanmn.org/who-we-are#OurBoard
As Board Member Maren Christenson says, “Having an autistic child is not a tragedy. Living in a world that doesn't support autistic individuals or their families, that's the heartbreak."
Despite society being more open to development disorders, we believe that more conversation is necessary so that autism is better understood. Go to https://www.facebook.com/MAANMN.ORG so you can learn more.
