At Map Maker, we believe in a world where every child who relies on sign language feels seen, understood, and supported. We’re here to build the bridges between what families are desperate for and what public programs just can't provide. By creating tools and resources with a language-first, trauma-informed approach, we empower the people who matter most—parents, teachers, and communities—to help these kids thrive. We’re not waiting for the system to catch up; we’re planting the seeds for real change, starting at home and rippling outward.

Autism Map Maker is a specialized education center and future K-12 bridge school dedicated to the dual identity of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Nonspeaking Autistic students.

We are not just a resource center; we are the architects of a new educational model. We exist to bridge the critical gap between Deaf Education and neuro-affirming Autism support, ensuring that students at this intersection have full access to language (ASL) and a learning environment that understands their whole self.

Our mission is active and urgent:

• Today: We serve families and organizations through specialized consulting, advocacy, and sensory-friendly mapping resources.

• Tomorrow: We are actively building toward opening our physical K-12 school campus in Oklahoma for the 2026-2027 school year.

Every service we provide today—from family guidance to professional training—directly funds the development of this school, creating the "map" for a more inclusive future.

We are currently supporting autistic, ASL-using individuals through our consulting services and resource development and supporting 2 students at our private microschool. We are actively seeking business partners and a welcoming community to establish our campus, aiming to open with 9 students for the 2026-2027 school year.

Autism Map Maker is unique because we are built specifically for the dual identity of Deaf Autistic and Nonspeaking students—a population often forced to choose between language access and behavioral support. We refuse to make that choice.

Our approach stands out because we don't just modify existing systems; we are building a new one based on four core pillars:

1. Centered on Dual Identity Most programs focus on either Autism or Deafness. We focus on the intersection. We provide a Language First environment where Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Nonspeaking Autistic students are understood as whole people. We don't just "accommodate" ASL; we center it as the foundation of learning.

2. Lived & Professional Expertise Our leadership isn't just clinical; it's personal. Led by Founder Savy Hester—who is Late Life Hard of Hearing and a mother/guardian to Deaf Autistic family members—our team combines deep lived experience with the professional rigor of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Certified Teachers of the Deaf. We know the map because we have walked the path.

3. The K-12 Bridge School Model We are actively establishing a physical campus for the 2026-2027 school year that acts as a "bridge" between the siloed worlds of Deaf Education and Special Education. We create individualized "maps" for students that prioritize communication access, trauma-informed care, and academic growth over simple compliance.

4. Barrier-Free Access We believe specialized education is a right, not a luxury. Our community-funded tuition model is designed to remove financial barriers, ensuring that families can access our sign language classes, parent coaching, and specialized academic support regardless of their economic status.

Our program is designed to honor the dual identity of Deaf Autistic students, creating a "Language First" ecosystem where education and communication happen simultaneously.

The School Schedule (Targeting 2026-2027 Opening) To prevent burnout and ensure consistent regulation, our academic week runs Tuesday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM year round. This focused schedule allows for intensive, neuro-affirming instruction while reserving time for dedicated Family Partnership sessions—because we know that student success relies on bridging the gap between home and school.

The "Map": Three Tiers of Support We do not group students strictly by age, but by their individual journey. Every student follows a personalized "Map" through three distinct phases:

• Waymaker: Focuses on establishing safety, regulation, and foundational language access. This is where we unlock communication.

• Pathfinder: Builds on that foundation to develop academic fluency, critical thinking, and self-advocacy skills.

• Navigator: Prepares students for the future, focusing on transition skills, community integration, and real-world application.

Family as Partners We believe the family is the student's first teacher. Our structure requires active family engagement, including ASL learning and strategy collaboration. We don't just teach the child; we empower the entire family unit to communicate and thrive together.

We are on a countdown to the 2026-2027 school year. To open the doors of this K-12 bridge school on time, we need partners who are ready to move from "awareness" to action. Here is how you can help us map this future:

Become a Founding Partner We are seeking visionary business leaders and community investors to help anchor our physical campus. This is more than a donation; it is a legacy. Partnering with us means directly financing the infrastructure needed to serve the dual identity of Deaf Autistic youth in Oklahoma.

Unlock the Location Our immediate priority is securing the physical site for our school. If you have connections to real estate, land, or available educational facilities in our target area, your network could be the key to opening our doors.

Hire Us or Invest Directly You can fuel our growth in two ways:

1. Hire Us: Utilize our consulting and mapping services for your organization. Every contract we fulfill directly funds the school’s development.

2. Donate: Direct financial contributions allow us to move faster, securing the resources and legal framework needed to welcome our first class of students in 2026.

We provide a variety of free, accessible resources designed for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and non speaking autistic learners. These include visual supports, behavior tools, communication aids, and regulation guides, all built with trauma-informed, language-first strategies.

We provide a variety of free, accessible resources designed for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and non speaking autistic learners. These include visual supports, behavior tools, communication aids, and regulation guides, all built with trauma-informed, language-first strategies.

We offer a range of services including specialized consulting, advocacy, sensory-friendly mapping resources, and professional training programs. Our focus is on providing practical tools and support for families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Nonspeaking Autistic students.

You can support our mission by donating to our fundraising campaigns, hiring us for consulting services, or becoming a founding partner to help establish our physical campus. Your contributions directly fund the development of our K-12 bridge school.

Families can get involved by participating in our workshops, joining our inclusive social groups, and utilizing our free resources and leaving a review if you found value. We also encourage families to engage in our fundraising efforts to help establish our K-12 bridge school.

Our mission is to build an Autism resource center and bridge school that provides ASL immersive environment, advocacy, and consulting. We aim to create a unified, communication-rich learning environment for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Nonspeaking Autistic students.