Hi, and welcome.

If you’re new here, I’m Tiera—mom to the two amazing boys you’ve probably seen throughout this site, and founder of Autism in the D.

Autism in the D was born from personal experience.

When my oldest son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at just 3 years old, I quickly learned how difficult it was to find meaningful support, accessible resources, and spaces where families like ours truly felt seen. The need was overwhelming—and the solutions were far too limited.

So instead of waiting for change, I decided to create it.

What started as our Autism Awareness Walks has now connected and supported 100+ families across our community. Through those events, one thing became crystal clear:

We are not alone.

Families need connection. Parents need support. Children need safe, understanding spaces where they can simply be themselves.

That realization led to parent support groups, community events, and deeper conversations with families facing the same daily challenges.

But one problem kept coming up again and again:

“Where can our children safely play while we connect, learn, and breathe?”

The honest answer?

Detroit doesn’t have enough autism-inclusive spaces designed with our families in mind.

So we’re changing that.

Our Next Big Step

Autism in the D is working to open the first autism-inclusive adaptive play gym located in the CITY of Detroit—not just the metro area, but Detroit itself.

This space will be intentionally designed for children with autism and other developmental differences, giving families access to:

Sensory-friendly play experiences
Safe and inclusive social opportunities
Parent connection and support spaces
Community programming and events
Resources designed specifically for neurodiverse families

This isn’t just a play gym.

It’s a long-overdue community hub.

How You Can Help

We are actively pursuing grants, sponsorships, and major funding opportunities to bring this vision to life, with an estimated startup goal of $250,000.

But community-built spaces require community support.

Every donation—big or small—helps move us closer to opening our doors.

Your contribution helps fund:

Facility buildout & equipment
Sensory and adaptive play materials
Safety accommodations
Licensing, permits, and startup costs
Programming development
Community access initiatives

If you believe Detroit families deserve more inclusive spaces, we invite you to be part of building something transformational.

Donate today. Share our mission. Help us create a place where every child belongs.

— Tiera
Founder, Autism in the D

Help Us Build Detroit’s First Autism-Inclusive Play Gym

Team Members