AFAA Foundation Statement of Support and Resources in Response to a National Tragedy in New Orleans

The Americans for Autism Advocacy Foundation is saddened by the events that happened on January 1, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  15 people lost their lives due to a truck attack on Bourbon Street in the historic French Quarter district during New Year’s celebrations. The tragic events led to the Allstate Sugar Bowl college football game played annually in New Orleans to be delayed by one day. The AFAA Foundation expresses its gratitude to all first responders for their swift response to this tragedy.

As of this writing, none of the deaths announced from the New Orleans truck attack have been identified with ties to the neurodiversity community. Major news events like what happened on New Year’s Day can affect neurodiverse individuals and their families. The AFAA Foundation wants to use this opportunity to help provide resources to the neurodiversity community in Louisiana and across the United States:

• Louisiana 988 – Anyone who is affected by the news in New Orleans is encouraged to call or text 988. You can call, text, or chat 988 for free support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Despite there is no dedicated 988 line for neurodiverse individuals, the AFAA Foundation urges anyone in a crisis to call or text 988.
• Autism Society Louisiana State Chapter – The Louisiana State Chapter of the Autism Society and its local affiliates provide non-emergency resources to Autistic Louisianans and their families. There are a total of six local chapters under the Louisiana State Chapter of the Autism Society.
• The Emerge Center – The Emerge Center is a nonprofit that provides various behavioral health services for Louisianans that identify as Autistic along with their families. The Emerge Center serves primarily the Baton Rouge area.
• Children’s Hospital New Orleans Autism Center – The Autism Center housed within Children’s Hospital New Orleans is Louisiana’s most comprehensive clinic that provides support for Autistic Louisianans and their families.  No family is denied care due to inability to pay and uses a sliding scale for payments.
• The Arc of Louisiana  – The Arc of Louisiana is another nonprofit that provides resources for not just Autistic Louisianans, but for individuals with other developmental disabilities.

Despite this is not an all-inclusive list, this post provides guidance to anyone who wants to support neurodivergent Louisianans and their families in this time of crisis. The AFAA Foundation expresses its condolences to the families of the 15 individuals who lost their lives in New Orleans.