The Autism Alliance of the Concho Valley Serves Community

The Autism Alliance of the Concho Valley, which focuses on serving those in the community with autism, was founded in November of 2015. Shanna Payne, the founder of AACV, previously worked as chairman of Autism Speaks in San Angelo for several years.

“Though Autism Speaks does some really great things for the autism community, they weren’t doing enough for our local people,” Payne said. “I hated seeing local money going far away to New England, and I hated being the one to send it there. For a town our size, we have a shockingly small number of programs, events and accommodations for folks on the autism spectrum. There’s no reason that we shouldn’t have more things tailored to them and have a more inclusive community. So, it became my mission to do just that.”

AACV works under the umbrella of the Arc of San Angelo, a branch of a national organization that helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The Arc of San Angelo heard my plea on Facebook, called me, and wanted to adopt us as a program under them so they that they are our parent organization,” Payne said. “[That] enabled us to be able to start being active years earlier than it would have if I had had to become a self-contained nonprofit on my own. So, they adopted us into the program, and we were able to hit the ground running.”

So far, AACV has hosted the Walk for Autism in order to raise funds for individuals with autism. The organization has also organized two ThAUTful Theatre events. For more about AACV’s ThAUTful Theatre, read San Angelo LIVE!’s article on the subject.

In the future, Payne plans on providing grants for local families, training “spectrum-smart sitters,” and organizing more community building events.

“We’ve just got big plans,” Payne said. “So far, it’s gone really well. We’re very excited to have had such a warm reception.”

San Angelo LIVE! asked Payne her opinion on why the work AACV does is important.

“Because it’s important that everybody be shown respect, and that everybody have a voice,” Payne said. “Our mission is really just to serve the autism community right here in the Concho Valley in any way possible.”