Navigating autism now more difficult for Michiganders

Eight years ago, Mark Miller’s son was diagnosed with autism. The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) MiNavigator program connected Miller and his family with answers, resources, and a path forward.

“Our family got plugged in with the MiNavigator program when we were working through the autism diagnosis,” says Miller, who now serves on AAoM’s board of directors. “The ways it helped us, gosh! It was someone to turn to that had education, answers, and insights at a time when the whole world felt like it had just been turned upside down.”

Since 2014, MiNavigator has provided that same kind of direction to more than 18,500 Michigan families and autistic individuals. Families facing a new autism diagnosis or coping with behavioral and safety needs, or autistic adults seeking employment and further independence –– all of these and more have found the connections and support they need to live their best lives.

“When you add in an autism diagnosis or some of the challenges that are unique to autism, life can get a lot more complex, challenging, and frightening to navigate,” Miller says. “MiNavigator helps address some of those unknowns and frightening challenges that may seem insurmountable.”

Miller sees MiNavigator as a “game changer” for Michigan’s autism community.

“The program connects you to people who focus in this realm every single day, who are professionally trained,” he says. “Every family throughout the state should have the opportunity to tap into the resources that they need to develop and live the best life that is possible.”

The State of Michigan eliminated funding for MiNavigator from its 2026 budget. Although AAoM has had to lay off almost 75% of its staff, the remaining Navigators are working hard to make sure no Michigan family facing the challenges of autism is left behind. 

“This entire situation was very devastating for a lot of the families that we work with –– we’re just not able to continue programs that are a huge necessity for our families,” says AAoM Navigator  Kimatha Spratling. “The shortage of Navigators has resulted in a delay in our returning families’ calls or emails as quickly as we could before. It is prolonging the time it takes for families to receive services.”

As a result of the funding cuts, families and autistic individuals who relied on MiNavigator to guide them with daily challenges and potential crises find themselves on a waiting list instead of getting vital help the same week that they call.

“We were serving on average 3,000 plus individuals, families, and professionals all across the state each year,” says AAoM Director of Navigation Erik Gallery. “Even though we’ve committed to maintaining MiNavigator and providing that same quality of service, the level and the timing has changed drastically.”

AAoM’s outreach efforts have also been hobbled. Prior to the funding loss, a dedicated outreach team visited communities across the state as far as the Upper Peninsula to introduce them to AAoM services. For some individuals, talking face-to-face with MiNavigator staff was the step they needed to succeed on their autism journey.

“Our outreach team provided education across a number of topics, including how and where to seek a diagnosis and/or obtain services,” Spratling says. “We can’t assume that everyone even knows what autism is. So that education piece is invaluable to our underserved communities.”

Resources exist but connection is difficult

Michigan has no shortage of providers and community health organizations doing  direct work with the autism population. However, finding the provider or community program that meets a family’s or autistic individual’s specific needs can be a dizzying process when facing the complexities built into healthcare, insurance, and educational bureaucracies.

“We’re the group that works behind the scenes helping to make folks aware of what those existing pathways are,” Gallery says. “While there are a lot of provider options in Michigan, it can be complex and confusing for a lot of families that are dealing with daily struggles. They don’t have the time or luxury to learn how to navigate all of that.”

Sweta Alberta, a counselor at Still Waters Counseling, works regularly with children and families affected by autism. When working with an autistic child or adult, she never works with only that person –– treatment includes families and loved ones as they are equally impacted. She sees MiNavigator as a safe place for them to land, a place where they find their bearings, discover available resources, and determine what’s best. 

“MINavigator helps them have a connection to something bigger. It’s a guide post, a map of support to help them figure out what is the best service, what’s covered by my insurance,” Alberta says. “They feel relieved to have answers and some clarity.

Alberta is the mother of an autistic child, Abraham, and also serves on AAoM’s board of directors.

“It’s a hard place to be in, navigating this diagnosis that your child has,” she says. “People of all ages are benefiting from what the MiNavigator program offers their families.”

The Alberta family moved to Michigan seven years ago. A friend introduced them to the AAoM MiNavigator program.  

“We found an ally, someone who walks with us through these difficult questions. What are the services that he needs? Who are the providers that know who he is, how he works, who are able to reach him, and help us the way that we need to be helped? ” she says. “MiNavigator has continued to help us at every stage of his growth and progression. There are new challenges at every stage. It has been helpful for us to know where to go next and what to anticipate because things are always changing.”

Much more than a directory, MINavigator’s professional staff connects autistic individuals and their families to reliable, vetted, evidence-based resources and providers that they can rely on. 

“There’s so much misinformation out there –– a lot of opinion, a lot of conjecture. It’s hard to know which way is up and what my specific kid needs,” Alberta concludes. ”MiNavigator relieves the burden.”

Take action! Contact your State of Michigan representative and senator to let them know how important reinstating AAoM’s funding is to families and individuals in your community. Simply click here to send your message. 

Photos courtesy Autism Alliance of Michigan

Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) was founded with the vision that people with autism will lead lives that meet their greatest potential. AAoM leads efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people touched by autism across the lifespan.