National Autism Safety Council

What National Autism Safety Council does

The National Autism Safety Council (NASC) is a private nonprofit organization headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, that provides autism safety education, training, research, and resources for families and communities across the United States. Founded by Lori McIlwain after her son's repeated elopements from school settings, the organization has built a portfolio of free safety guides organized across 15+ topic areas including wandering/elopement prevention (SafeSteps), water safety (SafeSwim), online safety (SafeClicks), school safety (SafeSchools), police interactions (SafeCops), bullying, restraint/seclusion, pica, sibling support (SafeSiblings), travel (SafeTravels), and early-age suicidality (SeeUs). The technical stack is intentionally lightweight: a website-based resource library of downloadable PDFs, social stories, checklists, and emergency response templates, supplemented by an open-source Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) message template generator hosted on GitHub Pages for use by public safety agencies.

The organization's go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on website resource distribution, partnerships with first responder agencies and healthcare systems, direct training programs, and substantial earned media coverage from outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, NPR, CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, HBO, and the Associated Press. Its core strategic differentiator is the Search Water First campaign and the federal advocacy that produced the FCC's 2024 approval of the Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) event code, enabling rapid WEA messaging for autism-related missing persons cases. The Big Red Safety Box Program and a strategic NCMEC partnership provide additional distribution leverage through AMBER Alert infrastructure.

NASC is funded entirely through donations, including individual contributions, corporate sponsorships (Heaps Strategy Group, Minds Untapped, Fourth Rule, Red Shark Digital, Unit1, Viamark Advertising), planned giving, corporate matching gifts, in-kind contributions, and tribute gifts, with all resources provided free of charge. The organization reports reaching 85,000+ trained professionals, distributing 750,000+ resources, and maintaining a leadership team with 25+ average years of experience spanning the U.S. Department of Justice, FCC, DHS, Johns Hopkins, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and the Executive Office of the President.

Name

National Autism Safety Council

Legal name

National Autism Safety Council

Website

https://autismsafetycouncil.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

National Autism Safety Council is a Cary, North Carolina-based nonprofit that provides free autism safety education, training, and resources to families, first responders, educators, and clinicians across the United States, anchored by its federal advocacy that secured the FCC's 2024 Missing and Endangered Persons alert code.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Safety Education and Advocacy

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK), Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Autism safety education
• Wandering prevention resources
• First responder training
• Water safety advocacy
• Emergency response planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Cary

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting autism safety mission. The organization encourages public donations to support safety programs, research, and resource development.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors including Heaps Strategy Group, Minds Untapped, Fourth Rule, Red Shark Digital, Unit1, and Viamark Advertising. Corporate sponsors provide both financial and in-kind support.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy giving programs including bequests, trusts, and retirement plan designations that create lasting support for autism safety initiatives across generations.
4. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employee matching gift programs through which companies double the impact of employee donations to support autism safety programs.
5. In-Kind Contributions: Contributions of goods, services, and expertise that support training programs, research initiatives, and family-focused safety resources.
6. Tribute Gifts: Donations made in honor of loved ones or to commemorate special occasions, directly supporting safety, well-being, and prevention efforts in the autism community.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The National Autism Safety Council (NASC) is a nonprofit organization that develops and distributes free autism safety educational resources, training programs, and advocacy services for families, caregivers, first responders, educators, and clinicians. Its offerings consist of downloadable safety guides (SafeSteps, SafeSwim, SafeClicks, SafeSchools, SafeCops, SafeSiblings, SafeTravels, SeeUs), a digital resource library, awareness campaigns such as Search Water First, and direct training programs for law enforcement, schools, and healthcare providers.

Product overview

The National Autism Safety Council (NASC) is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive portfolio of safety resources, guides, and training programs focused on protecting autistic individuals. The organization's product offerings consist primarily of educational safety guides organized by topic (SafeSteps, SafeSwim, SafeClicks, SafeSchools, SafeCops, SafeSiblings, SafeTravels, SeeUs), a searchable Resource Library containing tools like Family Emergency Response Plans and Autism Emergency Profile Sheets, and awareness campaigns such as the Search Water First initiative. NASC does not offer a software platform or digital product—its offerings are primarily PDF-based guides, downloadable tools, training resources, and educational materials designed for caregivers, first responders, educators, and community members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SafeSteps for Autism Guide Comprehensive guide for wandering and elopement prevention, providing tips and tools for caregivers to protect autistic individuals who are prone to wandering.
• SafeSwim for Autism Guide Water safety guide helping caregivers find adaptive swimming lessons and implement water safety measures for autistic individuals.
• SafeClicks for Autism Guide Guide for online safety, helping autistic individuals navigate online spaces safely and avoid cyberbullying, grooming, and harmful content.
• SafeSchools for Autism Guide School safety guide providing tips and information for protecting autistic students at school, addressing social, sensory, structural, and behavioral needs.
• SafeCops for Autism Guide Guide for safe police interactions, helping autistic individuals and families prepare for and navigate interactions with law enforcement.
• Autism & Bullying Prevention Guide Prevention guide addressing bullying faced by autistic students, with 63% reporting exclusion, teasing, or physical harm from peers.
• Autism & Restraint/Seclusion Prevention Guide Guide addressing physical restraint and seclusion risks for autistic individuals, providing tips for caregivers to review school policies and document unsafe practices.
• Autism & Pica Prevention Guide Guide addressing pica (repeated eating of non-food items) affecting about 23% of autistic children, with early recognition and environmental safeguards.
• SafeSiblings and Autism Guide Guide supporting siblings of autistic children who face unique challenges including injury, emotional stress, chronic worry, and social isolation.
• SafeTravels for Autism Guide Travel safety guide providing free safety resources for smoother, stress-free travel with autistic individuals, including social stories, visual schedules, and a Travel Safety Checklist.
• Resource Library Comprehensive library of safety resources organized by topic including Wandering/Elopement Prevention, Water Safety, School Safety, Suicide Prevention, Online Safety, Police Engagement, Pica, Sibling Safety, and more.
• Family Emergency Response Plan Tool helping families create emergency response plans for autistic individuals.
• Autism Emergency Profile Sheet Profile sheet documenting key information about autistic individuals for first responders in emergencies.
• Search Water First Campaign Critical response measure campaign emphasizing water as the top priority when a child or dependent with autism is missing, based on research showing 86% of wandering-related deaths are from drowning.
• SeeUs (Early-Age Suicidality) Guide Guide addressing early-age suicidality in autistic children, recognizing that suicidal thoughts can occur in children as young as eight years old.
• Big Red Safety Box National safety program providing safety tools and resources for families of autistic children, including wandering and elopement prevention tools and education developed by founder Lori McIlwain.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85,000+ professionals trained in autism safety awareness and response protocols
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FCC (Federal Communications Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026FCC approved the Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) event code for emergency alerts in 2024, enabling rapid WEA messaging for autism-related missing person cases. NASC leadership contributed to advocacy efforts for this policy change.
• Not Invisible Act CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Commission whose work contributed to the MEP event code approval, expanding WEA access for missing person cases including autism elopement scenarios.
• Native Public MediaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner providing guidance on MEP alert implementation for law enforcement agencies.
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partnership with NCMEC for missing person protocols, AMBER Alert collaboration, and national autism wandering/elopement response initiatives. NCMEC and NASC collaborated on the Search Water First campaign and MEP event code advocacy. NCMEC has published a 12-minute learning module on drowning mitigation for autism cases and co-developed the WEA message template for autism-related missing person alerts.
• Heaps Strategy Group, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultancy founded and operated by Chairman Joseph Heaps and Co-founder Joy Paluska Heaps. Operates at the intersection of public safety and technology, supporting NASC's mission through strategic consulting services.
• Minds UntappedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor providing resources and support for autism education and safety initiatives. CEO Anne Johnson-Oliss serves on NASC board.
• Red Shark DigitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite design and development partner for NASC. Head of Agency Alaina Corsini serves on NASC Advisory Board. Provides digital marketing services and brand development support.
• Viamark AdvertisingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull-service advertising agency providing marketing strategy and brand development support. CEO Mark Storie and Director of Digital Marketing Jennifer Kingman serve on NASC Advisory Board.
• Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit founded by NASC Advisory Board member Jonisa Cook, providing specialized support dogs, scholarships, and advocacy for autism families.
• Sweetwater County Sheriff's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement agency where Advisory Board member Richard Kaumo serves as Lieutenant, providing operational insight for autism safety protocols.
• Kennedy Krieger InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Paul Lipkin practices at this institution, providing clinical expertise and research capacity for autism safety and development.
• Johns Hopkins School of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution where Dr. Paul Lipkin serves as Professor of Pediatrics, contributing research and clinical expertise.
• POAC (Parents of Autistic Children)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutism organization providing school bus safety training referenced in NASC resource library.
• Pathfinders for Autism (MD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaryland autism organization where Program Director Shelly McLaughlin develops first responder training, referenced as partner in safety resources.
• The Arc of the United StatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational disability organization where Leigh Anne McKingsley directs criminal justice initiatives, contributing expertise on IDD and criminal justice interactions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Closest strategic partner rather than direct competitor. Operates AMBER Alert infrastructure and publishes learning modules on autism drowning cases referenced by NASC. Included as ecosystem participant due to deep operational integration with NASC's mission.

Direct peers

• ECHO Autism: National tele-mentoring model expanding autism diagnosis and treatment to underserved populations. Founder Dr. Kristin Sohl serves on NASC's board, indicating close overlap in clinical training dissemination and provider education.
• Pathfinders for Autism: Maryland-based nonprofit delivering first responder autism training and family safety resources. Direct peer with similar training programs, audience (parents, first responders), and resource library focus.
• AWAARE Collaboration: Direct peer focused on autism wandering/elopement awareness and response. Co-founded by NASC's founder and addresses overlapping wandering-prevention content with law enforcement and first responder audiences.
• National Autism Association: Direct peer founded by NASC's founder Lori McIlwain. Focuses on autism safety, wandering prevention, and drowning prevention with overlapping flagship programs (Big Red Safety Box, AWAARE). Most comparable organization to NASC given shared origin, mission, and resource library.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National disability organization with significant IDD focus. Runs the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability and produces law-enforcement training curricula that overlap with NASC's SafeCops work.
• Autism Speaks: Largest autism advocacy organization with broad mission across research, advocacy, and family services. Incumbent with overlapping safety content and federal recognition but does not specialize in safety training for first responders.
• Safe Kids Worldwide: National nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injury. Operates in adjacent child-safety category with overlapping water safety and injury prevention content, though not autism-specific.
• Autism Society of America: Largest grassroots autism organization in the U.S. with state and local affiliates. Provides overlapping content on safety, education, and advocacy, but with a broader mission spanning lifespan services rather than safety-specific focus.

Emerging players

• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): Smaller nonprofit focused on applied autism research and practical resources for families and professionals. Comparable audience and resource-distribution model with smaller operational scale than NASC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NationalAutismSafetyCouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/autismsafetycouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-autism-safety-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismsafetycouncil
• Xx.com/NASC_Autism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Autism Safety Council