Outreach Autism Services Network (OASN)
OASN is a non-profit organization founded 5/12/11 to provide low cost social & academic programs, no cost referrals & support (not financial) to individuals on the spectrum for autism & related neuro immune disorders (their families & caregivers) residing in the state of FL.
OASN collaborates with doctors, therapists, schools, & other non profit organizations to provide valuable resources, services, & support. We currently provide social and academic programs for individuals with autism up to age 21. We hope to offer services to adults in the future. Please click on the blue link below for the Center For Autism and Related Disabilities to get information and referrals for adults. You can also call our office to get referrals for adults diagnosed with autism.
OASN Social Programs are dependent on grant funding and donations received.
OASN Academic Programs (OASN K-12 Education Division & Ocala Preparatory Academy) are funded in part by choice scholarships & parent financial participation.
Tax deductible donations help us keep our social and academic programs at a low cost to our clients, students and their families.
We are currently celebrating ten years of serving the autism community. We continue our search for our forever home for OASN! Specifically, we are searching for a mini farm with at minimum 3500 square feet minimum to a maximum of 7,500 square feet structure and at least 2 acres of land. This property must be zoned agricultural or commercial and not part of a home owner's association. Finding our forever home means that we can explore offering services to adults! You can contribute financially to our forever home fund clicking here.
OASN staff are available to offer assistance regarding programs/services & referrals 8am-2pm M-F (9am-1pm during summer months). We are closed for all major holidays, Spring Break, Thanksgiving Break (entire week), and Winter Break.
OASN unveiled our new logo (see top of this page) that reflects the medical component of autism. OASN programs & services engage the mind & the hands represent our staff, volunteers & board assisting our clients & students. You still may see our old logo from time to time as well.
OASN MISSION
To facilitate the best outcomes for individuals with autism and related neuroimmune/neurodevelopmental disorders. This mission will be accomplished by offering educational programs/services and referrals to the individuals, families & caregivers served.
OASN HISTORY
Outreach Autism Services Network (OASN) was founded in 2011 in collaboration with the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and a parent of a child with autism to offer one service, a monthly support meeting in Ocala (Marion County) FL. Our original name was Ocala Autism Support Network to reflect our one service. Over the next year (2011-2012), families wanted more services so OASN became a non-profit organization. Due to the change in what we offer to the community; in 2014, we changed our name too! We now outreach to individuals on the spectrum for autism and related neuroimmune disorders, their families and/or caregivers residing all over the state of Florida, offering no cost and low-cost autism services to individuals with autism and related neuro immune disorders, their parents and caregivers (client # or student # required to obtain our services).
EXPANSION PLANS=CAPITOL CAMPAIGN
Please contact our executive director at kvega@oasn.info for more information about our capital campaign. We are searching for a mini farm with at minimum 3500 square feet minimum to a maximum of 7,500 square feet structure and at least 2 acres of land. This property must be zoned agricultural or commercial and not part of a home owner's association. You can contribute financially to our forever home fund here.
We know the road, so we have paved it for others to have an easier journey!™
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Individuals with autism process information differently than those not on the spectrum for autism.
How many individuals are diagnosed with autism?
Are there higher medical costs associated with autism?
Individuals with an autism diagnosis have medical expenditures that exceeded those without an autism diagnosis by $4,110–$6,200 per year. On average, medical expenditures for individuals with an autism diagnosis were 4.1–6.2 times greater than for those without an autism diagnosis. Differences in median expenditures ranged from $2,240 to $3,360 per year with median expenditures 8.4–9.5 times greater. In 2005, the average annual medical costs for Medicaid-enrolled children with autism were $10,709 per child, which was about six times higher than costs for children without autism ($1,812). In addition to medical costs, intensive behavioral interventions for children with autism cost $40,000 to $60,000 per child per year.
Reference: Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db291.pdf, please visit the CDC website for more information.
HUGE thanks to Howard Middle School and the Jr. National Honor Society for volunteering, choosing OASN as their study project, and for their generous donation. Community support allows OASN to offer low cost/no cost programs/services. We are so grateful!
Ember911™
The Ember911™ Child Safety Education Program is designed to teach children how to react in dangerous or life threatening situations. Ember is virtual Dalmatian who teaches fire safety along with other aspects of child safety in an interactive way with a host of animated characters.
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Highly recommended for anyone looking for assistance with children with autism. Also any adults with autism looking for help, this is the place to go. Highly skilled and knowledgeable people ready to assist you and many others as well. If you haven't been to a Support meeting on Wednesday, you must go. Handouts, up to date information and much more on a weekly basis. I am so thankful I was invited to attend this class. The amount of knowledge that Anne Marie had was mind blowing. I am looking forward to some positive changes in my son's life. - Magnificent and amazing people!! Highly recommend this for anyone who needs assistance with their child for support in Autism! Super knowledgeable and very helpful! They have saved my life and my family’s!!
A great organization. Absolutely amazing how much they do for kids with autism in our community. Thank you to all at the facility, and thank you to the donors who are able to help our kids. My son attended camp this week and absolutely enjoyed himself. He was able to learn and have fun. - Outstanding organization and an answer to our prayers. An amazing community of people with expert knowledge, resources, and support! The most wonderful,caring,dedicated group of people you will ever meet. We are so appreciative for all the hard work and dedication. The community needs this service and we will do all we can to support you.
- Very informative! Helped me understand I wasn't alone!!! Keep up the outstanding work! The most wonderful,caring,dedicated group of people you will ever meet. We are so appreciative for all the hard work and dedication. The community needs this service and we will do all we can to support you.