The Golden Hat Foundation

04/01/2026

Woody Brown, a nonspeaking autistic author, is challenging everything the world thinks it knows about communication, intelligence, and voice. Using a letterboard to express himself, Woody has written a novel that gives readers a window into lives that are too often misunderstood or overlooked.

Woody Brown is the author of the Read with Jenna April book pick, “Upward Bound." He has autism and with the help of his mom, Mary, uses a letter board to communicate. TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager sits down with them to talk about his debut novel, how he is inspiring others and more. “I want mostl...

03/24/2026

After a barista with autism had his tip jar stolen, his community showed up—raising over $1000 in just a few days to support him.

“I feel absolutely loved,” Red White and Brew Coffeehouse co-owner Michael Coyne, who has autism, tells TODAY.com.

03/02/2026

Nine-year-old Ledger, who has autism, created emergency kits filled with sensory tools to help first responders better support autistic children during stressful situations.

Ledger even used his own savings to get started — and now, with community support, dozens of kits have already been distributed, with more on the way.

After a Sergeant for the Prince George County Police Department reunited a missing child with autism with their family in October 2025, his 9-year-old son, who also has autism, was inspired to create emergency kits to help first responders support other children.

02/23/2026

The Miranda Family Fund is supporting an innovative, evidence-based improv theatre program in Philadelphia designed specifically for autistic youth. The program uses the power of performance to build social confidence, connection, and communication skills in a neurodiversity-affirming space.

The program harnesses the power of theatre to develop social confidence and connections for autistic adolescents.

02/11/2026

A father shared a touching story of his nonverbal autistic daughter saying “I love you” for the first time during her first school bus ride.

A joyful TikTok moment turned unforgettable when a nonverbal 5-year-old surprised her dad during her very first school bus ride.

02/04/2026

About 7,500 children from birth to age 12 will be involved, with the goal of identifying new therapies, improving learning outcomes, reducing symptom severity, and potentially preventing profound disability.

Read Marcus Foundation gives $21.9 million to largest-ever study on profound autism by Delaney Tarr for SaportaReport here.

01/28/2026

One sensory-friendly space helped unlock calm, creativity, and confidence for this autistic child — and it’s a reminder of why access matters.

Milene Andrade went viral after surprising her 6-year-old daughter, Khaleesi, with a pink sensory room designed around her love of art, music and creativity.

01/19/2026

Families have been asking for schools that truly understand autistic learners. A public charter school in Texas is meeting that need by combining education and therapeutic supports in one place — and demand is skyrocketing.

Even as rates of autism soar in Houston and across the country, charter schools focused on these students are rare in Texas, because of costs, the challenge of opening and the state's rating...

01/12/2026

Designed with real input from the autistic community, this Barbie celebrates neurodiversity, sensory experiences, and inclusion.

An autistic Barbie is joining Mattel's line of fashion dolls that's intended to celebrate diversity

12/29/2025

Innovation often begins with a different point of view. Temple Grandin’s journey proves the value of neurodiverse perspectives.

Four new portraits have gone up at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, showcasing this year’s recipients of the Portrait of a Nation award for their transformative contributions to American history and culture. One of them is Temple Grandin, who has transformed animal welfare around the wor...

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Golden Hat Foundation!

12/17/2025

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos awarded $5 million to David Flink, founder of the Neurodiversity Alliance, for decades of work expanding peer mentorship for students with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia — supporting growth into nearly 600 schools and planning expansion.

Mega billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos have donated $5 million to David Flink, founder of the Neurodiversity Alliance.