2021 Innovation Visionaries Award Announced!

Thought Leadership & Innovation Foundation (TLI) is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2021 Innovation Visionaries Award, honoring a company or organization innovating in health for families facing the most difficult conditions—and providing hope for better care—was bestowed to The Autism Community in Action (TACA) for providing education, support and hope to families living with autism.

TACA earned this award by developing novel and practical applications of a new approach, product, service, human-centered design or therapy. We are proud to recognize TACA’s achievements and applaud their efforts to improve the patient experience and outcomes. 

TACA provides a shining example of how to effectively support clinicians, therapists and researchers who serve patient populations that need better access to quality care. They are committed to promoting early intervention and improving treatment and outcomes for autism patients and their families.

Celebrating TACA

TACA has implemented a number of outstanding services, conferences, mentorships and resources to support the autism community. This organization demonstrates its ongoing commitment to improving prevention, treatment and outcomes for autism patients and their families. 

To provide one example of their heroic efforts, TACA immediately transitioned to virtual meetings at the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, increased online resources and enhanced parent support activities. They conducted 594 virtual meetings, with attendance of 18,000+ people, and expanded reach by 132%. Hope & Help, TACA’s private Facebook support group grew to over 12,000 members--a 21% increase over 2019. They also responded via phone and online to 36,892 requests for support and awarded $195,588 in scholarships to families for medical and resource needs, representing 14% of the TACA budget. 

As one mother stated, because of TACA’s support during the pandemic her previously non-verbal son walked into his first day of school, greeted the teacher with “good morning” and put on his mask. He had also been potty-trained and had learned all of his letters and sounds.

For more information about becoming a TLI partner or to be considered for an award, contact the foundation.