Education Venezuela Project #73128

Neurodiversity: Educating to Encourage Inclusion

by Autismo en Voz Alta

Project Report | May 1, 2026
20 Years Speaking Out Loud

By Isabella Paul | President

It is with both pride and excitement that we write to you from the field, as we reach and celebrate our 20th anniversary at Autismo en Voz Alta. Your support has made this moment possible. Thank you.

For 20 years, we have stood unwavering, working so that every person with autism can learn, participate, and reach their full potential. We have done this with one conviction: that every voice matters and must be heard.

Because behind every call we receive, there is a child with dreams, a family searching for answers, a teacher striving to do better, and a future waiting to unfold.

Over these two decades, we have built, grown, and expanded our reach, transforming lives through specialized services, training educators, and driving awareness so that neurodiversity is understood and embraced. Thousands of families, including my own, are living proof of what is possible when support exists.

Today, more families are reaching out. More schools are asking for guidance. More children are waiting, for access, for understanding, for opportunity. The need for support continues to grow, the economic situation is dire, and the call to action is louder than ever.

We are committed to continue, and with your support, we can reach those who are still waiting.

As we mark 20 years, we are not slowing down. We are stepping forward with urgency. We are committed to reaching more people, strengthening our programs, and continuing to build a society where neurodiversity is not only accepted, but truly included.

None of this is possible without you.

Thank you for believing in this mission, for standing with us, and for helping us ensure that no voice goes unheard.

We will keep speaking out loud,
for those who need us today, and for all those still waiting.

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Mar 11, 2026
A future waiting to unfold

By Marianella Paul | Director

Dear friends and donors,

2026 marks our 20th anniversary, and with you by our side, we have expanded in scope and reach. We are filled with pride and deeply grateful. THANK YOU; we owe our success to your trust and ongoing support, which open doors, change lives, and help more families realize they’re not alone.

As the first quarter of 2026 ends, I am grateful for the chance to update you on what’s happening today.

The developing events in Venezuela have fostered a sense of shared hope, along with the belief that the downward trend has stopped, that the economic and personal security situation will soon improve, and that new opportunities will emerge. The future looks bright.

However, the economic challenges and hardships faced by the population over the past years continue, and addressing basic needs and shortages in public services makes daily life very difficult.

What are we experiencing at Autismo en Voz Alta?

Our phone rings weekly with more families seeking increased financial support to access our services, and more schools, educational institutions, and professionals requesting training to better serve their neurodivergent students and patients. Today, 1 in 7 people is neurodivergent, and 1 in 31 children is diagnosed with autism.

Behind each call is a child with dreams, and a family, school, or doctor in need of support; there’s a future waiting to unfold. We feel that responsibility deeply.

Our resolve and commitment remain strong. We will maintain and enhance our existing capabilities and continue to expand our impact. We’re here to keep moving forward and provide meaningful educational support to address the most urgent needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. Thanks to your support, we can do this.

Our work has already helped hundreds of children, teens, and young adults. At the end of this report, I have included detailed impact figures for 2025 for your review.

Thank you again. Your generosity has fueled, and will continue to fuel, awareness, growth, and genuine change.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Marianella on behalf of the Autismo en Voz Alta team.

Autismo en Voz Alta Impact In 2025, together we:

Supported more than 3,145 people
Raised awareness among more than 1,281 individuals
Directly served 631 families
Trained 1,054 professionals

How did we do it?

A) Specialized Attention Services

Our psychoeducational program operated in two school-day shifts, providing specialized support to 127 students.

89% of enrolled students received scholarships, ensuring access for families facing financial hardship.

We also strengthened early identification and intervention:

396 diagnostic evaluations conducted
62% of families received financial support for diagnostics

To support developmental progress and well-being:

1,792 therapy sessions delivered

B) Training Services

We continued advancing neurodiversity awareness and education through training programs for educators, institutions, and families:

8 Neurodiversity Immersion workshops
2 Neurodiversity Immersion workshops for parents
7 institutional “Approach to Neurodiversity” programs

In partnership with Universidad Monteávila, we launched the 14th and 15th cohorts of our Autism Specialization Program, contributing to the professional development of educators and specialists.

More than 505 participants joined our online forum discussions and informational talks.

We started training an autism center in our psychoeducational model in the Dominican Republic.

C) Community Engagement and Awareness

We organized:

6 community events
3 fundraising campaigns

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