Burlington Freedom Lights Celebration

Balance Autism was honored to be part of the Freedom Lights Celebration hosted by Beckman Farms - Burlington, an incredible community event that welcomed more than 2,800 guests for an evening of fun, connection, and an unforgettable drone show!

Throughout the event, our team hosted a sensory-friendly activity tent, providing a welcoming space where children and families could create, explore, and take a break from the excitement across the field. It was wonderful to meet so many families, answer questions about our services, and connect with community members who were excited to learn that Balance Autism is serving families in the area!

The event also provided an opportunity to support the Balance Autism Foundation, with generous donations collected throughout the evening. Beyond outreach, the celebration gave our team a chance to strengthen relationships with one another while engaging with the community we proudly serve.

Although the summer heat kept everyone on their toes, it didn't dampen the excitement— the evening concluded with a spectacular drone show, which highlighted a custom Autism Acceptance logo illuminated in the night sky—a meaningful and memorable moment that perfectly reflected the spirit of inclusion and community.

Thank you to Beckman Farms for hosting such a fantastic event and for helping create meaningful connections with the families and communities we serve. We look forward to next year’s activities!

Iowa Medicaid Leadership Visits

Balance Autism

We were honored to welcome Iowa Medicaid Director Lee Grossman and members of the Iowa Medicaid leadership team to one of our Balance Autism clinics recently. As Iowa's Medicaid Director, Grossman has made it a priority to visit providers across the state, learn firsthand about the services being delivered, and hear directly from organizations serving Iowans with disabilities.

During their visit, our team had the opportunity to showcase the comprehensive services we provide to children, adults, and families while discussing the opportunities and challenges facing autism service providers today. Conversations included the growing need for autism services, the importance of timely access to care, workforce challenges, and the role sustainable Medicaid funding plays in ensuring individuals can continue receiving high-quality, community-based supports.

We are grateful that Iowa Medicaid continues to seek input from providers on the front lines. Open dialogue and strong partnerships are essential to strengthening services for individuals with autism and their families, and we appreciate Director Grossman and his team taking the time to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and better understand the impact of our work.

Thank you to the Iowa Medicaid team for your visit and your commitment to improving services for Iowans. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to build an even stronger system of care.

Fi & Friends Autism Resource Fair

Balance Autism had a wonderful time attending the Autism Resource Fair hosted by Fi & Friends! The event brought families, community partners, and advocates together for a day of fun, connection, and learning, with food trucks, face painting, and an engaging autism panel that sparked meaningful conversations.

One of the highlights of the day was hearing from guest speaker Britini D'Angelo. An autism advocate, special education teacher, and former Big Brother (CBS) contestant, Britini shared her inspiring personal journey of growing up with autism and the obstacles she has overcome along the way. Her story was one of resilience, determination, and the power of a strong support system. Through her experiences, she reminded everyone that autism is not a limitation but a unique strength, and she continues to make a lasting impact as a passionate advocate for the autism community!

We even had a special guest stop by the Balance Autism table—Batman! His surprise visit brought plenty of smiles and made a fun day even more memorable.

Thank you to Fi & Friends for hosting such a meaningful event. We are grateful to have been part of a day filled with connection, support, and celebration!