Advancing Connections in the Autism Community

The Capital Area Autism Network (CAAN) is committed to addressing the most pressing and impactful needs of the Autism community in the Baton Rouge area through connection, opportunity, and advocacy.

The Capital Area Autism Network (CAAN) is a grassroots, collaborative organization that seeks to advance connections across the Baton Rouge community, promote increased opportunities for autistic and neurodiverse people, and advocate for change alongside the broader network of disabled people. We strive to live by our core values of accountability, adaptation, community, inclusion, and leadership as we seek to give a voice to the thousands of neurodiverse citizens in Baton Rouge and across the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 36 people are autistic. This prevalence rate has increased steadily over the past few decades. Additionally, 1 in 6 people have some form of developmental disability. For Louisiana, with a population of over 4.6 million, that puts the estimates at 124,200 autistic people and 782,000 with some type of developmental disability such as autism, ADHD, and cerebral palsy, among others.

For decades, it fell to families – and particularly mothers – to advocate and organize on behalf of children and adults who would otherwise be overlooked or sent away. Thankfully, the understanding of autism has progressed so that we recognize the scope of the need, and more attention is being given to neurodiversity. CAAN is committed to listening to those voices calling for increased services, opportunities, and accommodations and amplifying them as we work to help neurodiverse people find what they need to enjoy the independence and fullness of life that is every person’s right.