about noar
Walking with families through every step of the autism journey.
New Orleans Autism Resources (NOAR) was founded in December 2025 in response to a growing need witnessed across online parent communities. Many families receiving new autism diagnoses were left without clear guidance, reliable information, or a trusted place to turn. God placed a vision on our hearts to create an organization that would stand in that gap — offering direction, support, and compassion to families navigating unfamiliar territory.
NOAR is guided by a Board of Directors whose members were intentionally selected for their personal connection to autism and neurodiversity. Each director brings lived experience, professional insight, or a family story shaped by ASD, ensuring that every decision reflects genuine understanding and commitment to the community we serve.
Our mission is to connect parents with the resources, safety tools, and community partnerships their children need to thrive. We work to ensure that no family faces this journey alone and that every child is supported with dignity, understanding, and hope.
To every parent seeking clarity and reassurance: You are seen. You are heard. You are understood.
From My Heart...
As both a mother of a child on the spectrum and a Special Education teacher in a community with limited resources, I have experienced firsthand how overwhelming this journey can be. My faith guided me through moments of uncertainty, and my commitment to my children and students strengthened my resolve to advocate for families who felt unseen or unsupported.
I have walked through evaluations, school meetings, therapy coordination, and safety challenges — experiences that revealed how deeply families need clear information and compassionate guidance. I believe every child is a divine gift, deserving of a community that recognizes their strengths and meets their needs with care.
What began as a personal search for answers has grown into a mission to share the knowledge, connections, and hope I have gathered along the way. Through NOAR, I am committed to helping families access the tools and support that once felt out of reach.
This work is more than a professional calling; it is a promise to serve our community with integrity, empathy, and faith.
Amanda Martin
Founder & Executive Director
What We Do
Family Navigation & Support
NOAR walks alongside families from the moment a diagnosis enters their lives. We provide clear next‑step guidance, safety planning, individualized coaching, and faith‑rooted encouragement so parents never have to navigate autism alone.
Community & School Empowerment
NOAR partners with community organizations to build environments where neurodivergent children are safe, welcomed, and understood. Through training, inclusion planning, and resource development, we strengthen the connection between home, school, and community.
Louisiana Resources, Referrals & Safety Access
NOAR connects families to trusted Louisiana providers — developmental pediatricians, behavioral health clinics, speech and OT services, ABA guidance, college programs for students with intellectual disabilities, and more. We also provide safety supports such as door alarms for families facing wandering risks.
Join Us in This Work
We invite you to be a part of this mission. Whether through prayer, volunteering your time, partnering with our organization, or giving a financial gift, your support helps us walk alongside more families in New Orleans and across Louisiana. Together, we can ensure no family navigates this journey alone.