Children & Youth
Children & Youth Program
AFO promotes autism informed systems of care that support the development, well-being, and inclusion of autistic children and youth. Through training, education, family support, and strategic partnerships, AFO equips families, caregivers, educators, childcare professionals, and other child-serving professionals with practical tools to better understand and support autistic children. Program activities include Navigating Autism childcare provider training, the ASCEND childcare consultant training, parenting and foster parent classes, and the Inclusive Communication Conference. AFO also collaborates with partners across childcare, education, healthcare, and child welfare to strengthen community capacity and improve access to knowledgeable, responsive support. Together, these efforts help create inclusive environments, strengthen communication and understanding, and ensure autistic children and youth are surrounded by adults and systems better prepared to recognize their strengths, respond to their needs, and support their full participation in everyday life.
Program Initiatives
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Child Care Provider Training
AFO offers two-hour training for childcare professionals, which offers comprehensive knowledge and practical strategies for supporting children with autism. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and 2.0 hours of pre-approved continuing education through the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development. This training can be presented in person or virtually.
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Inclusive Communication Conference
AFO, the Down Syndrome Association of Oklahoma, and Beyond the Spectrum joined forces to co-host an Inclusive Communication Conference at the Metro-Tech Springlake campus in Oklahoma City. This conference provided educators, parents, and caregivers with innovative strategies, practical tools, and invaluable insights to support better communication with students with disabilities.
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Early Childhood Research
AFO is proud to support and partner on research projects that inform our programs and address service and resource gaps experienced by autistic Oklahomans and their families. Past research has helped AFO develop our Navigating Autism training for childcare workers and provided the state with information on how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact children born between 2019 and 2021. Click below to read the reports.
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Parenting Classes
AFO's Parenting Classes are designed to provide parents and caregivers across Oklahoma with information on autism, neurodiversity, and I/DD. Topics include early identification, obtaining a diagnosis, navigating the IEP process, and what resources are available to them statewide. We aim to equip parents and caregivers with the tools needed to best advocate for their loved ones throughout the different stages of their lives.