A different starting point changes everything.
Mission & approach
Autism Map Maker exists to change what happens before the plan is written — the language, the assumptions, and the starting frame. We work with families, school teams, and organizations to build practical maps of the whole student, not deficit checklists. Our work is language-first, neuro-affirming, and trauma-informed. We do not use compliance-driven frameworks, and we do not treat distress as defiance.
Our approach
Language-First
American Sign Language (ASL) is the foundation of all learning and communication in our work. We center full language access from the very beginning.
Neuro-Affirming & Trauma-Informed
We see all behavior as a form of communication. We respond with empathy, co-regulation, and skill-building techniques rather than punishment.
Practical & Individualized
We develop customized plans that focus on real-world, functional skills. Our goal is to equip people with the tools they need to navigate their world with confidence.
Community-Focused
Our mission extends beyond any one program or building. We are committed to building a more informed community by providing workshops, trainings, and resources for families and professionals.
Our story
Autism Map Maker began inside real classrooms and real family kitchens — where teams kept running into the same missing piece: language access and regulation coming last, not first. This organization exists to move those back to the beginning of the conversation.
Founder, team, and board
Founder
Savy Hester — Founder & Executive Director
Savy is the founder of Autism Map Maker. As a Late Life Hard of Hearing individual, a mother to a Deaf Autistic daughter, and the sister and guardian to her Deaf Autistic brother, she has dedicated her life to navigating and fixing the systemic gaps she has experienced firsthand. Her professional background includes experience as a director at the Texoma Autism Behavior Intervention (TABI) School, a former Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and various roles at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD), including dorm staff, teacher's assistant, coach, and teacher.
The Team
A founder-led model
Autism Map Maker currently runs founder-led with no paid staff — every dollar raised goes to students, families, and materials. As funding grows, staffing grows with demand. Trainings, consultations, and the Lens Series are delivered directly by the founder.
Fiscal sponsor
501(c)(3) status
Autism Map Maker operates as a fiscally sponsored project of The Third Space Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, while pursuing independent 501(c)(3) status.
The Board
Autism Map Maker is supported by an active working board — not a letterhead. Board members provide direct clinical input, strategic guidance, and meet regularly by Zoom. All members operate under strict confidentiality terms.
Board President
Caroline Hartley, MA, BCBA
Caroline is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and educator with over 30 years of experience in autism education and more than 16 years in Deaf Autism support. In her career, which includes over a decade at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD), she has been dedicated to creating accessible learning environments. As Savy's mother and a fluent ASL user, she brings a lifetime of personal and professional passion for supporting the Deaf and Autistic community to the board.
Secretary
Ro Hartman, BCBA, RN
Ro is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a registered nurse, and the founder of the Texoma Autism Behavior Intervention (TABI) School in Ardmore. She has a proven track record of building successful educational programs and hired Savy into a leadership role at TABI. Ro's extensive expertise in both behavioral science and healthcare provides the board with critical oversight for program development and well-being.
Treasurer
Ama Glasgow — Deaf education and Deaf culture resource
Ama is a devoted Deaf Autism advocate and a trusted former colleague of Savy's from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD). Her work is deeply rooted in the community, where she and her family are active in promoting language access and equity for Deaf individuals. Ama's direct experience and strong community ties ensure that Autism Map Maker remains grounded in the real-world needs of the families it serves.
Board Director
Kaylee Ragon — Certified Teacher of the Deaf Blind
Kaylee is a certified Teacher of the Deaf Blind at Happy Hands. Her professional focus is on supporting students with dual sensory loss. As the board's primary resource for visual impairment (VI), she offers invaluable insight into creating truly accessible and adaptive learning experiences for people with the most complex sensory and communication needs.