Extra Help When You Need It Most

1. Diagnosis

• Must have a child or adult diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• If more than one of your children is diagnosed with ASD, please submit a separate application for each child.

Failure to submit a separate application for each child and or sibling will result in the primary sibling listed within the application receiving the award.

2. Communication Partner

• The ASD Individual must have one dedicated communication partner present at all sessions.

3. Location

• Must live within the local distance and/or be able to travel to the SPELLERS locations listed below. Inability to do so at anytime during the process, will result in forfeiture of the scholarship.
  • Tampa, FL
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Charleston, SC
  • Oceanside, CA
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Rochester, NY
  • South Orange, NJ
  • Halifax, MA
  • Moscow, ID
  • Portland, OR
  • Dallas, TX
  • Nashville, TN
  • Lansdale, PA
  • Boston, MA
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Kansas City, MO

4. Age

• The ASD individual must be turning 10 years of age within the program year.  

5. TACA Involvement

• Be a TACA free TACA Pathway member (TACA Start Tier) before application due date.
  • If you are not already a free TACA Pathway member, click here to become a free TACA Pathway member today.
• Must participate in at least two (2) TACA programs/events within the program year including:
  • National TACA Autism Conference (recorded or in person)
  • TACA Family Events
  • TACA Support Meetings
  • Virtual Support and Learning Events
  • Hope and Help Facebook Group
  • Monthly Learning Series
  • TACA Volunteer Program

6. Income Guidelines

• Household income must be at or below 300% of the US Federal Poverty Level within the same year as the program.
  • Please click here to view the US Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Families above this threshold with multiple children may still be considered.

7. Previous Scholarship Recipients

• Families who have received a TACA scholarship prior, may only reapply 12 months (one year) from the date on which they were awarded.
• Families who were not selected are welcome to reapply again within award periods.

1. Choose your location.

Failure to select a location before submitting your application may result in your application being not considered. 

2. Complete the application form.

• Provide accurate, complete, and up to date information.
• If corrections are needed, contact the scholarship team immediately. All changes must be made before the due date of the application.

Failure to provide accurate, complete information or changes by the application due date may result in your application being not considered.

3. Notification of awards

• All applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome, regardless of the result.
• Selected applicants will receive a scholarship agreement with detailed and guiding instructions.

4. Disbursement of funds and how funds can be used

• Scholarship funds are made directly to SPELLERS for therapy services and are typically issued 2-3 weeks after appointments are scheduled.
• Funds may only be used after the scholarship agreement due date.
• Funds cannot be used for:
  • Travel or lodging
  • New patient registration
  • Membership or concierge fees
  • Past appointments or services
  • Splitting costs between multiple practitioners or locations

Applications will be disqualified or funds withdrawn at any time if: 

• Eligibility requirements are not met 

• A Spellers location is not selected beforehand. 

• The submitted application is incomplete or inaccurate. 

• The scholarship agreement is not signed by its assigned due date. 

• The follow up report(s) are not filled within their allocated time and submitted by its due date.  

TACA reserves the right to refuse any applications or revoke a scholarship award if the applicant or recipient does not reflect TACA’s missions and values.