Twiddle Bugs

Program Overview

TwiddleU is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education for Autistic and neurodiverse children in the greater Atlanta area. Our mission is to provide education, speech, occupational therapy and play therapy for Autistic and neurodiverse children at minimal or no cost to families in need. We are dedicated to involving parents in their child's education while also providing learning resources and coworking spaces. The combination of in-person, hands- on and digital learning ensures families and their children receive the education, guidance and support needed for a successful future.

Our programs incorporate the parents/guardians and families into the learning process which we found necessary when working with neurodiverse students. Traditional school models teach the students, and then send them home with homework that the students, and occasionally the parents, may not understand. Since many of our learners are nonverbal, we offer training to parents on RDI techniques to enable therapy and education at home and beyond the classroom which ensures continuous success. We have incorporated blended learning models to include teacher-guided lessons, self-guided lessons, online & digital learning and collaborative activities. We offer in-person, digital learning and a hybrid educational approach. Our lessons are safe, engaging & academically challenging and are a combination of traditional education, hands-on life skill training to include critical thinking activities, STEM activities & transferable skills which can be used in the future as our youths grow in order to sustain independent living. Our teaching methods allow the children to use all senses to encourage speech and promote health and wellness. We also use technology for virtual classes as well as in the classroom. Since some of our youths are nonverbal, we utilize technology for personalized learning based on individual curriculum and educational plans (IEP/ ICEP). These methods promote necessary real-world skill-building.

We have multiple options for our students and their families regarding the frequency in which they meet. Our students meet with each Therapist once per week. RDI also takes place once per week according to the parents' schedules. We offer classes during the week while catering to the parents' work schedule which means that they can stay after to meet with teachers and therapists 1 on 1 in the afternoons. Instead of the students transferring to another location when classes let out, we are able to provide them with access to quality out of school time through tutoring sessions. Students with Autism or neurodiversity could become distressed when transferring locations, so this provides students with the comfort of familiarity and parents with peace of mind knowing exactly where their children will be.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

During Covid-19, virtual classes only increased both children and parents' frustration and anxiety. Many children had difficulty grasping concepts through Zoom without hand- over- hand support and therapeutic support (i.e. school-assigned occupational therapist were attempting to show how to cut with scissors virtually) which led to many children falling behind. We were able to navigate through this and provide safe, effective programming to advance students forward with their education and therapy.

Several parents came together and voiced their concerns for their neurodiverse and Autistic children who were falling behind in school. In addition, they were unable to obtain after school or summer care for their children due to the specific requirements of care they would need. Several parents were intending to have their children repeat the same grade since they were not able to keep up with students at their grade level. We implemented a summer program, and, by the end of summer, 100% of the parents saw an increase in their children's educational understanding including literacy & reading, math and science. 100% of the program participants felt that their children were ready to continue to the next grade level.