ABOUT
About TwiddleU Inc.
Mission Statement
TwiddleU empowers children, including those that are Autistic and neurodiverse, in the greater Atlanta area through innovative, accessible education that fosters independence, lifelong learning, and academic success. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide high-quality literacy, reading, math, and STEM education alongside hands-on life skills training and career readiness to ensure a well-rounded foundation for future success. Our comprehensive programs also include speech, occupational, and play therapy at minimal or no cost to families in need.
Recognizing the challenges families face in accessing specialized education, we are committed to strengthening family engagement by offering learning resources, coworking spaces, and career support to improve opportunities for the entire household. Through a dynamic blend of in-person, hands-on, and digital learning, TwiddleU combats learning loss, bridges educational gaps, and nurtures every child’s potential, ensuring they are equipped for a thriving future.
History
TwiddleU was founded to serve the local community due to a lack of resources for neurodiverse children. As the parent of a daughter with Autism, the Founder has experienced these challenges firsthand. With the help of other mothers within the area, she decided to create a platform to share information, provide mentoring and design programs that would benefit the kids.
The Impact of TwiddleU
Impact Statement
TwiddleU’s Twiddle Bugs program plays a pivotal role in preventing educational regression for both neurotypical and neurodiverse children during out-of-school times. By offering comprehensive educational resources, speech, occupational, and play therapy specifically tailored for each child, we ensure that progress made during the school year continues seamlessly, at minimal or no cost to families in need. Furthermore, our commitment extends beyond the children to their parents. We empower parents by providing coworking spaces, career training, and robust community support, enabling them to actively participate and stay engaged in their children’s educational journey. This approach not only supports child development but also enhances family stability and economic security, fostering a supportive community environment that nurtures the potential of every family member.
Community
TwiddleU serves neurotypical, neurodiverse children and those with developmental delays and disabilities, including Autism, in the greater Atlanta area, with a primary focus on Gwinnett County, Georgia — a diverse community of over 950,000 people. Nearly 90% of the families we serve identify as BIPOC, and approximately 20% live in poverty. Children with developmental delays in these communities face significant barriers to early diagnosis, specialized education, and therapeutic services. Gwinnett County reports the highest prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Georgia, with 1 in 33 children diagnosed, exceeding the national average of 1 in 36. Additionally, at least 10% of children in Head Start and Early Start programs are expected to have disabilities.
Specialized Programming & Education
TwiddleU is unique in that it specifically addresses the issues children in underserved communities, including those who are neurodiverse or have learning disabilities, and the roadblocks many parents face in getting their children the help they desperately need. We offer camps, informational sessions for parents, pop-up events, and parent-to-parent networking. We also offer free or low-cost programs to lessen the burden for parents facing financial difficulties.
If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, please contact us to learn more. We offer:
- Small class sizes
- Personalized learning plans
- Behavioral, speech, and occupational therapy
- Foreign language and American Sign Language
- Field trips and life skills activities each Friday
- Healthy chef-curated lunches and snacks
- Coworking space for parents/guardians
Our educational resources expand outside of the traditional school model in order to provide the best resources for students to help students grow intellectually, interpersonally, and emotionally to greatly enhances a student’s chances for success. By including the parents in the decision making process, we are able to create specialized plans for each individual child while combining play and social interaction. Since Autistic and neurodiverse students learn best through hands-on education, we incorporate sensory exploration and alternative learning through agriculture, horticulture and gardening as part of our sustainable living curriculum. We are passionate about providing resources to children and helping them achieve success now and in the future.
2 Gen Family Approach Model
Our unique model incorporates parents and families throughout the educational process. At TwiddleU, we understand the challenges parents face, especially those raising children with disabilities, balancing educational and therapeutic needs with their own career goals. Our 2Gen approach addresses these challenges by integrating tailored educational programs and therapies for children with robust career support for parents. Family-friendly coworking spaces equipped with essential amenities allow parents to work or study on-site. We strengthen family economic security and enhance child well-being by actively engaging families in program design and connecting them with extensive support networks for childcare, education, and employment pathways.
Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity & inclusion is important to our mission. We believe that every family should have affordable access to early diagnostic testing to ensure that their children are provided the necessary educational resources at an early age. On average, African American children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been diagnosed more than three years after their parents expressed concerns about their development. By providing affordable programs, we are able to support historically underrepresented backgrounds. Our DEI goals include:
- Hire and maintain a diverse staff in order for our staff, students and families to feel inclusive. All students benefit from a diverse educator workforce and students of color particularly benefit from a diverse educator workforce. Therefore, we hire to meet the needs of our participants since teachers of color and those with disabilities can serve as role models, mentors, and advocates for an increasingly diverse student population.
- Maintain a diverse Board.
- Provide a space where Autistic, neurodiverse and neurotypical students and families can learn and interact in order for Autistic and neurodiverse students to feel inclusive, prepare them for real-world experiences and fill them with a sense of belonging through our program offerings.
Located in an opportunity zone with a 90% BIPOC population and 20% of families living at poverty level, our services are a lifeline for families who need help but can’t afford traditional options.
