Geek Club Books is a registered, tax-exempt nonprofit with creative autism education and empowerment mission. We ignite hearts and open minds through autism storytelling so all individuals with autism have every opportunity in this world to shine.
Today 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with autism in the United States and yet, the general public understands very little about the diagnosis—and what they do know is often shrouded in misperceptions and negative stereotypes. Almost 70% of children with autism experience emotional trauma from being bullied, something my autistic son experienced when he was growing up. Now that he’s an adult, he faces a combined unemployment and underemployment rate of 90%.
We’re working as a family to beat those odds, for our son and for others on the autism spectrum.
Our nonprofit addresses two important issues for the autism community:
- Public awareness and acceptance – #Activate4Autism
- Employment Opportunities for Autistic Adults
Our nonprofit, Geek Club Books uses technology and the art of autism storytelling to capture the public’s attention to teach them about autism. We produce interactive comics, curriculum, school assemblies, ebooks, educational videos, and blog content to change perceptions and put an end to the negative stereotypes. And we hire autistic adults who play a key role in their creation and presentation.
Why do we focus on autism storytelling as a catalyst for change?
Research shows that narrative has a powerful impact on the brain and the actions that follow. Stories elicit empathy. Stories facilitate connection. Stories affect change. They captivate our hearts and minds, both individually and collectively, move us towards better understanding of a culture, a special population, or the human condition.
Using our own personal experiences, we founded Geek Club Books to bring hope, inspiration and support to other autism families. We’re here to break the stigma surrounding autism by putting forth positive views–focusing on ‘abilities’ over disabilities and similarities over ‘differences’ for better understanding and connection.
Where can you find the information you need on this website?
There’s so much to discover here so we’ve made it easier through special welcome pages for:
- Parents and Autistic Individuals – Click here to go to the Welcome Autism Families page
- Educators and Therapists – Click here to go to our Welcome Educators Page
- Volunteers, Benefactors, Caring Companies – Click here to find ways you can help and make a difference
Thank you for stopping by! We hope that you’ll stick around and join our positive autism acceptance movement. Let’s celebrate what makes all of us unique and send out a message of hope and optimism. Together we can profoundly change how the world views autism…one story at a time.
Notes on the statistics:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 59 children in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience emotional trauma as a result of being bullied, according to findings published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, while a significant portion were concerned for their own safety at school.
- Tsunami of Young Adults with Autism Face Uncertain Future Unemployment Crisis
