Family Initiative, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing family-centered compassionate support, innovative programs and evidence-based therapies to children, teens and young adults impacted by autism spectrum disorder, recently announced the results of a comprehensive survey conducted over the last three months to assess the hurricane readiness and recovery needs of autism families across Lee County.

2024 Autism Family Storm Survey

The nonprofit partnered with Lee County government to share the survey with families through social media, emails, and media campaigns. More than 100 families completed the survey and provided insight into the challenges and complexity of decisions autism families face when it comes to preparing and recovering from a storm during what is proving to be an active season.

“The results revealed to our organization how we can best prepare and partner to support as many families as possible,’ said Family Initiative Co-Founder and Vice President Anjali Van Drie. “We are grateful to the team at Lee County Government collaborating with us to help in these efforts.”

Some of the most striking results revealed up to 68% of autism families plan to evacuate within Lee County or Southwest Florida depending on the severity of storm. 51% of autism families reported they are unsure of how their child will be treated in a public shelter and only 10% of families surveyed were aware of the special needs shelters program in Lee County.

“Some of the survey results were anticipated based on our experience surrounding Hurricane Ian, but others were surprising,” said President and Co-Founder David Brown, LCSW. “We also observed a high level of responses for their child’s safety post storm due to downed fences. As almost everyone experienced after Ian, fences were destroyed, many still not rebuilt. While this can be a challenge for families, it does not pose the significant safety risk it does to autism families, who depend on the fencing to keep their children from wandering or eloping.”

Safe and reliable supervision for autistic children is a key support element that families identified to complete immediate and long-term recovery efforts such as debris clean-up and home repairs.

Family Initiative provides a continuum of care for autism families from early intervention through young adulthood, including social, clinical, educational and vocational services. The organization also offers support for family members including a Sibling group and a Parent Support Group. Family Initiative is the leading ASD provider in Southwest Florida, also providing community education and support for families across Southwest Florida.

In 2023, Family Initiative served more than 2,600 children and continues to grow to meet the needs of the autism community. Hurricane response is one of the novel ways Family Initiative has grown to better prepare families with autism and meet the needs of the local community.

To learn more about Family Initiative, the services they offer and their work in the community, visit FI-Florida.org or call 239-910-0712.

About Family Initiative

Established in 2015, Family Initiative, Inc. is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and strengthening their families. Its team of clinicians serves children from compassionate, personalized approach through Applied Behavior Analysis and Occupational Therapy services, and offers autism play groups, teen meetings, parent education, community conversations and more. In addition, the organization provides child welfare caregiver training and support through its Family Impact Program. Visit FI-Florida.org or find Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram at @FamilyInitiative and on X at @FI_Inc.