The Owen Foundation

03/18/2026

Inclusive Egg Hunt happening at Pecan Grove Park in Sherman on 3/28!

🌟🥚 Special Needs Egg Hunt at Pecan Grove East Park! 🥚🌟

Sherman Parks and Recreation is proud to host our Adaptive Egg Hunt, a special egg hunt designed with kids of all abilities in mind! This is a celebration of inclusivity, joy, and community, and we want every child to have a moment to shine.

📍 Pecan Grove East Park
📅 Saturday, March 28
⏰ Hunt Begins: 10:15 AM
💰 FREE to attend!

🎀 Please gather near the pavilion before 10:15 AM! Our team will cut a ribbon to signal the start of the hunt, so you won't want to miss it! We chose this as a gentle, excitement-filled way to kick things off that works for everyone.

🗺️ Check the map to see areas where eggs may be hidden and to locate the Sherman Parks tent!

🐰 Keep your eyes open because the Easter Bunny may be walking around the event!

🏆 Make sure to peek inside your eggs because you just might be a winner!

Bring your basket, bring your family, and bring your excitement. This hunt is for EVERY kid. 💛

03/18/2026

The Sherman City Council approved a proclamation Monday designating March 17 as Profound Autism Awareness Day, with Councilmember Clay Barnett leading the measure as advocates gathered in support.

03/18/2026

Yep.

“Parents of autistic children have PTSD.”

Sounds extreme doesn't it

So let’s talk about what that actually means.

For some families, this isn’t just stress.

It’s constant.

There’s no switch off.
You’re always watching.
Always anticipating.
Always ready.

Not knowing what might trigger the next meltdown.

Not knowing how intense it’s going to be.

The screaming.
The hitting.
The moments where everything escalates and you’re just trying to keep your child safe.

That does something to you over time.

Your body stays on high alert.

Even when things are calm… you’re not fully relaxed, because you know how fast it can change.

Sleep isn’t real sleep.
Rest isn’t real rest.

You start reacting quicker.

Thinking ahead constantly.

Struggling to ever fully switch off.

You go from looking after your child…

to constantly being ready to protect them.

And when your body lives like that for long enough…
it changes you.

And this isn’t just opinion. There has been research showing that parents of children with autism report higher stress levels and in some cases comparable to people in high-trauma environments.

Not because it’s the same situation.

But because of the constant, long-term pressure with no break.

I’m not saying it’s always like this. There are moments that are beautiful. Moments you wouldn’t trade for anything.

But what people don’t understand…

is how quickly it can flip.
One minute everything is calm.

The next you’re in full survival mode.

This is why Autism is a spectrum

For some, it’s manageable.

For others, it is intense, relentless, and all-consuming.

From the moment they wake up…

to the moment they finally fall asleep.

And sometimes even sleep is something that doesn't happen too often

03/18/2026

After her young son wandered from home, an Oklahoma mom is now pushing for a new alert system designed to help find missing children with autism faster.

She calls it the “Owen Alert,” and says every minute matters when a child goes missing.

Here’s how the proposed system would work, and why families say it could save lives across Oklahoma.

More in comments.

03/17/2026

Last week our founder, Brina Dutton sat down with Kylee Dedmon of News 9 in OKC to talk about The Owen Alert Act and Autism Safety Training for Emergency Mamagement across Oklahoma [and Texas]. Want to know how you can help? Right now we need signatures on our petition:

https://www.change.org/p/establish-the-owen-alert-act-for-rapid-response-in-autism-related-elopements

https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-news/owen-alert-oklahoma-missinh-children-autism

After her young son wandered from home, one Oklahoma mother is pushing for a rapid-response alert system to help locate missing children with autism before it’s too late.

03/17/2026

In honor of today being recognized as the first official Profound Autism Day in our Nation, we want to thank the cities of Denison, Texas; Tyler, Texas; Durant, Oklahoma and Sherman, Texas for proclaiming March 17th 2026 as Profound Autism Awareness Day!

By proclaiming March 17th as Profound Autism Awareness Day, these cities are doing more than issuing words on paper, they’re acknowledging a population of individuals and families who have too often gone unseen, unheard, and underserved.

For our profound autism families, this recognition means:
💙 You are seen.
💙 Your child matters.
💙 Your journey is not invisible.

Profound autism represents individuals who are often nonverbal, may require 24/7 care, and face increased safety risks such as wandering and drowning and require life-long care.

These are families navigating complex, lifelong needs.

For the first time, many are hearing their reality spoken out loud in a public, officially.

But let’s be clear—this is not the finish line. This is the starting point.

Awareness is important.
Recognition is meaningful.
But neither of those change lives on their own.

Action does.

A proclamation becomes powerful when it leads to:
✔️ Better safety measures (ask any of these local police departments about our safety sticker program)
✔️ First responder training (which, in partnership with TOF, these cities are now providing!)
✔️ Inclusive education and community spaces
✔️ Access to therapies and support
✔️ Policies that protect and serve our most vulnerable (please visit our page: The Owen Alert Act at https://www.facebook.com/share/1DaN9y96ti/?mibextid=wwXIfr )

This is how awareness evolves into impact.

Today is a catalyst for movement, for advocacy, and for real, lasting change.

To every family walking the profound autism journey:
We see you. We stand with you. And we will continue fighting for a world that not only recognizes your child, but protects, supports, and values them. Because awareness should never be the end goal, but
always be the beginning of action.

Sherman, Texas - Classic Town. Broad Horizon. Sherman Police Department Sherman Chamber of Commerce
City of Denison, Texas Government Denison Texas Police Department Denison Chamber
City of Durant durantpolice
Durant Area Chamber of Commerce
KXII-TV KTEN Durant Democrat
cityoftylertexas

03/17/2026

Today, March 17th, marks something incredibly important:
one of the first official recognitions of Profound Autism Day across our communities and beyond.

This day exists to bring visibility to a population that has too often been unseen, even within the autism conversation.

“Profound autism” refers to individuals who are often nonverbal, require 24/7 care, and face significant safety risks throughout their lifetime. 

In fact, nearly 1 in 4 individuals with autism meet the criteria for profound autism, yet their needs are frequently underrepresented in research, services, and support systems. 

Today is about changing that.

Awareness is the beginning…
But recognition is what moves us forward.

When cities, states, and communities name something, they begin to see it.
And when we truly see it, we can no longer ignore it.

💙 Recognition leads to:
• Better training for first responders
• More appropriate educational support
• Increased funding and research
• Safer communities for those who are most vulnerable

This is why today matters.

For families like ours, this is not just a day, it is a declaration:
You are seen. Your child matters. Your challenges are real. And your voice is rising.

At The Owen Foundation, we believe awareness must always evolve into action.

And today is just the beginning.

03/17/2026

Tonight, the City of Sherman took an important step in recognizing and supporting our autism community.

Mayor Shawn Teamann and Council Member Clay Barnett presented a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month and March 17th as Profound Autism Awareness Day, presented to The Owen Foundation.

While we were honored to accept this proclamation, this recognition does not belong to our organization alone. It belongs to every autism family in Sherman and throughout Texoma.

Awareness and recognition are the first steps toward meaningful action. They open the door to deeper understanding, stronger community support, and safer, more inclusive environments for individuals with autism, especially those with profound autism who require lifelong support.

We are incredibly grateful to the City of Sherman, The Owen Foundation Board Members, and our community partners who continue to stand beside autism families and help move this mission forward.

Together, awareness becomes action. And action creates change. 💙



Sherman, Texas - Classic Town. Broad Horizon.

03/14/2026

🏊‍♀️ ⭐️ It’s time to get those swim lessons scheduled! Texoma Swim Academy’s team of instructors is 10/10! ⭐️ 🏊‍♀️

Still on the fence about swim lessons? 🤔

For the cost of dinner for four at Chik fila your child can have four - private swim lessons for free!

$45 to register & book four lessons that can be funded with grant funds or scholarships from community supporters.
Email 📧
Christy@texomaswimacademy.com

Link to enroll and book in comments!

We have spots open in July! 📅
And a few in June.📅

03/12/2026

On Monday evening, the City of Durant took an important step in recognizing and supporting autism families in our community.

Mayor Martin Tucker and Durant City Council Members officially proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month and March 17th as Profound Autism Awareness Day in Durant.

This proclamation represents an important moment for families across Bryan County and the Texoma region.

Profound autism includes individuals who may be nonverbal, require 24/7 support, and face increased safety risks such as wandering and drowning.

Recognizing Profound Autism Awareness Day helps ensure these individuals and their families are seen, understood, and supported.

Autism Awareness Month allows our community to learn and grow in understanding.

Profound Autism Awareness Day calls us to deeper awareness and meaningful support.

The Owen Foundation is grateful to Mayor Martin Tucker and the Durant City Council for standing alongside autism families and helping create a more inclusive community for individuals on the autism spectrum and for being the first city to call on us for this proclamation 3 years ago.

💙

03/12/2026

Check out our elevate cheer girls on Talk of the Town with Caroline Fletcher. 📣

I had such a fun time interviewing two cheerleaders from Elevate Cheer Team Glow today on Talk of the Town! They have many exciting things coming up soon and you can help cheer them on (geddit!) - link in the comments 🩷❤️🩷❤️ KXII-TV Elevate Cheer

03/12/2026

TYLER, TX. - This morning Mayor Don Warren and the Council Members of the City of Tyler, Texas proclaimed April 2026 Autism Awareness Month as well as Proclaimed March 17th as Profound Autism Day.

Present to accept the proclamations were local Special Education teacher and Autism Mom, Courtney Kennington, Casey McCoy Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Neurodivergent Advocates of East Texas as well as our Founder & Executive Director of The Owen Foundation, Brina Dutton.

These proclamations represent more than words on paper. They represent recognition, understanding, and a commitment to the families in our community walking the autism journey every single day.

For those raising children with profound autism (individuals who may be nonverbal, require 24/7 care, and face significant safety risks) being seen and acknowledged matters deeply.

Awareness opens the door to understanding, and understanding leads to action.

We are grateful to the City of Tyler for helping shine a light on the importance of inclusion, support, and safety for individuals on the autism spectrum.