The Autism Community in Action

The Autism Community in Action
AbbreviationTACA
FoundedFebruary 13, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-02-13)
FounderLisa Ackerman
27-0048002
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
HeadquartersIrvine, California, United States[1]
LeaderGlen Ackerman
Volunteers
498
Websitewww.tacanow.org
Formerly called
Talk About Curing Autism
(until February 2019[2])

The Autism Community in Action (TACA) (formerly known as Talk About Curing Autism) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Lisa Ackerman[3] and based in Irvine, California. The mission statement is "TACA provides education, support and hope to families living with autism".[4] As of 2023, there are 41 chapters of TACA throughout the United States.

TACA Programming includes Parent Education and Support through Chapter Meetings & Coffee Talks, Education Events, Autism Journey Guides Website & Support Hotline, Community Events, Parent Mentoring, National Conferences in California and Georgia, Webinars, and online parent education.[5]

TACA has been known to support unscientific views on Autism treatment and conspiracy theories. Group founder Lisa Ackerman used to attribute autism to a wide range of causes, urging parents to get rid of flame-retardant clothing or mattresses and new carpeting. She advocated for vitamin shots and hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments.[6] However, TACA has not been known to market an anti-vaccination or pseudoscience position since around 2018.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 990-2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ The Autism Community in Action (TACA) (February 5, 2019). "Talk About Curing Autism Announces Name Change to The Autism Community in Action". PR Newswire.
  3. ^ "Accomplishments & History". The Autism Community in Action. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  4. ^ "Who We Are". The Autism Community in Action. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  5. ^ "The Autism Community in Action (TACA)". Great Nonprofits. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference NPR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Facebook has a surprise for autistic users – it thinks we need to be 'cured'". 27 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2023-08-02.