Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville

Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville Founded in 1999 by parents of children with autism, Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Our mission is to provide services that enable adults with autism to lead purposeful lives. Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville was founded in 1999 by concerned parents to create support for adults with autistic spectrum disorders. Although between $236 and 265 billion dollars are spent annually on autism in the United States and nearly $175 billion is spent on adult services, after an adult with an autistic spectrum disorder ages out of the school system, little support is available to help them live meaningful and independent lives. These parents saw this problem and dreamt of a utopia where their children could be supported but not stifled in their personal growth and have the opportunity to thrive in a college campus-like setting. Today, Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville is an innovator and model of excellence in not only the region, but in the field. The person-centered, family-focused planning model strives to create opportunities for lifelong learning, community integration and purposeful, gainful employment for any individual supported who wants to work. At present, community living, community recreation, community service and community employment programs exist and further the mission of improving the lives of adults with autism. The organization continues to grow with the addition of a support group for adults with high functioning autism, a community liaison service and the Project SEARCH program at UT Medical Center. Project SEARCH is a nine month program providing internships at the hospital which develop job skills, social skills and connections with the community to strengthen the individual supported’s ties with their employer. Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville is always developing new concepts to expand the range of services provided and, as executive director Beth Ritchie says, to “perfect the dream”.

We are already up to some tricks and treats here at the office. We even had a few office staff dress as their coworkers....
10/29/2025

We are already up to some tricks and treats here at the office. We even had a few office staff dress as their coworkers. Can you tell who they dressed up as?

Something tasty this way comes to cooking class! We made some witches fingers this week for the spooky season.
10/27/2025

Something tasty this way comes to cooking class! We made some witches fingers this week for the spooky season.

Are you a parent or caregiver navigating disability benefits?Join us for our next Parent Meeting with Stacy Spangler fro...
10/24/2025

Are you a parent or caregiver navigating disability benefits?
Join us for our next Parent Meeting with Stacy Spangler from WorkAble TN! She’ll share valuable insights on benefit counseling for SSI disability, SSDI disability.
📅 Monday, October 27 | 6 PM
📍 1700 Liberty St., Knoxville (Lower Level)

Serving up some volleyball skills 🏐
10/22/2025

Serving up some volleyball skills 🏐

This fall weather 🍂 has us thinking back on all the fun we had in the spring and summer. ☀️ Can’t wait to see what we’ll...
10/20/2025

This fall weather 🍂 has us thinking back on all the fun we had in the spring and summer. ☀️ Can’t wait to see what we’ll get up to the the rest of the year!

Join us in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month and 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Ac...
10/08/2025

Join us in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month and 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)!

The Knoxville Area Employment Consortium is hosting a Breakfast Celebration. Enjoy breakfast, connect with community partners, and honor the progress made toward inclusive employment for all.

⏰ When: Tuesday, October 29, 7:30 am
📍 Where: Rothchild Event Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
🎟️ Register: By October 20
🔗 Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-promise-to-progress-35-years-of-the-ada-tickets-1702440047009?aff=oddtdtcreator

We always have fun in cooking club! 🧑‍🍳
10/06/2025

We always have fun in cooking club! 🧑‍🍳

Over the past five years, Branden has been reluctant to participate in sporting events. However, after developing a newf...
10/01/2025

Over the past five years, Branden has been reluctant to participate in sporting events. However, after developing a newfound interest in stretching and exercise, and displaying his athleticism during Dynamic Softball, he was given the chance to try out for the One Knox Project Inspire Soccer Team, a professional traveling soccer team. After the tryout, the coaches informed Autism Breakthrough that Branden was an excellent competitor, great at receiving feedback from his coaches, and was determined to succeed on the field. With help from Autism Breakthrough, Branden is able to compete, travel, and find meaningful connections through sports.

If you'd like to see a game, the Project Inspire teams will be playing here in Knoxville this weekend, October 4 & 5, at Covenant Health Park. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://www.gofevo.com/event/2025project2

Can’t wait for our soccer players to play here in Knoxville this weekend! ⚽️ Get your tickets!
09/30/2025

Can’t wait for our soccer players to play here in Knoxville this weekend! ⚽️ Get your tickets!

Less than 5 days away from Fixture 3! 🔥

Inspire Soccer League Fixture No.3 kicks off this weekend, Oct. 4-5th, at hosted by 👏

🎟 Tickets are on sale now! Don’t miss another unforgettable weekend of soccer, community, and inspiration.

🔗 Find the link in our bio to purchase tickets or see the full weekend details on our website. ✨⚽️

📺 A live stream will be available from on our YouTube channel and through for international coverage

More event details to come!









Congratulations to all the amazing athletes at yesterday’s Bocce Ball Tournament!!🏅
09/24/2025

Congratulations to all the amazing athletes at yesterday’s Bocce Ball Tournament!!🏅

🌸We've been nominated 🌸We are so honored that the Historic Rule House, the home of our Anchor Program, has been nominate...
09/23/2025

🌸We've been nominated 🌸

We are so honored that the Historic Rule House, the home of our Anchor Program, has been nominated for an Orchid Beautification Award in the Redesign/Reuse category. Thank you to The Grandiflora Foundation, LHP Capital, LLC, McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects and Interior Designers, East Tennessee Community Design Center, and the many hands that were involved in restoring this house to a home.

To see the full list of nominees and categories, and to purchase tickets to the event, visit: www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org/orchids

Address

1700 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN
37921

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Website

https://www.biggiveknox.org/organizations/autism-breakthrough

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