'Joy, Love, Acceptance': Tulsa Nonprofit Creates Pilot Program Aimed At Helping Children With Autism

A new program in Tulsa is serving more children with autism because of the high demand.

Parents in Oklahoma don't have a lot of options when it comes to finding free programs for children with autism or any other IDD diagnosis.

They can pay for expensive therapies, apply for Sooner Start and try to get into some special education programs.

The Coral class at Little Light House is a pilot program dedicated to students under the age of 6 with an autism diagnosis.

“Now he is able to co-play with other kids, play alongside them, be around them, participate in circle time, which was not even a thought beforehand,” said Kaleigh Fix.

Fix is a mom of one of the students in this year’s pilot program and has already seen changes in her son, Christian.

Little Light House is a nonprofit that offers families educational and therapeutic services for children with special needs.

“We're focusing on the whole child. So, we're focusing on their educational needs. We're focusing on the different structure that they need. We're focusing on their communication in a big way because they need to be able to tell us what they want and need so they can be more successful after they leave here,” said Hannah Jimenez.

Right now, there are 500 children on the waiting list to get into Little Light House, and 40% of those kids have an autism diagnosis.

For a parent like Kaleigh, this class and school are more than just an opportunity to learn; it's a way for her son to be accepted and understood.

“Just pure joy, love, acceptance. As you can imagine, even in public settings, we get the looks and the stares and the judgment of why you can't control your child, and I mean, I would have been the same way. People just don't know,” said Fix.

Little Light House hopes to expand this program in a few years to provide for more children on the spectrum. They operate solely on donations. There is a fundraiser happening on Saturday if you'd like to help.