04/01/2026
April is Autism Acceptance Month. As the MASNS Foundation, this month holds special meaning for us.
We often get asked: what is MASNS, and how does it relate to autism? Here’s what we want everyone to know:
Autism is not one condition with one cause. More than 800 genes and dozens of genetic syndromes have been linked to autism spectrum disorder, and approximately 1 in 5 children with an ASD diagnosis has an identifiable genetic syndrome behind it.
Marbach-Schaaf Neurodevelopmental Syndrome is one of those conditions. For many of our individuals, MASNS doesn’t exist alongside an autism diagnosis, it IS the reason for it.
Our families navigate the same therapies, the same school systems, the same joys and the same challenges that so many autism families know well. We are part of this community, and this month, we stand proudly alongside it.
To every autistic individual: you are valued, you are celebrated, and you belong. To every family in the trenches, whether your child has an autism diagnosis, a rare genetic condition, or both, we see you. We know the weight of it, and we know the beauty of it too. You are not alone.
This month, as awareness and acceptance take center stage, we’re also shining a light on the fact that behind the broader autism umbrella are countless rare genetic conditions, each with their own families fighting for answers, research, and support. The MASNS Foundation exists to push that research forward. So that one day, families get answers faster, and every child gets the support they deserve from day one.
Happy Autism Acceptance Month. 💙🌈
