Autism Awareness and Support Organization is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization working to eliminate discrimination by promoting awareness and providing accessible information and support for people dealing with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Vision
Our mission is to eliminate discrimination by promoting awareness and providing accessible information and resources to individuals and families in the New York City region who have South Asian heritage and are dealing with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We pledge to provide effective linguistic, technical, and informational assistance, skill-building, social acclimation assistance, an opportunity for parents to interact and exchange experiences, and counseling services to support their emotional health.
Our vision is to establish a society in the New York City area that is free from any preconceived notions or negative stereotypes associated with individuals who have been diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as their loved ones. We seek to build an inclusive, empathetic, supportive community for them. Our ultimate goal is to provide valuable programs and initiatives that enrich the lives of those with IDD and ASD and empower them to thrive.
Mission
Our team
Rawshan Ara (Joya Korem), Executive Director
It is my privilege to serve as President of Autism Awareness and Support Organization Inc., where we champion equitable access to resources, advocacy, and community for children with special needs and their families. My leadership is driven by a steadfast commitment forged through personal experience, professional dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action.
As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I intimately understand the systemic barriers and emotional challenges families face when seeking support. My journey from navigating fragmented systems to securing vital services for my son ignited my resolve to dismantle obstacles for others. This journey led me to our organization, where I transitioned from a grateful beneficiary of its resources to a passionate advocate and leader.
Professionally, I bring over a decade of expertise as a caregiver and Medicaid-certified Doula, roles that deepened my understanding of holistic, individualized care and the importance of culturally competent support systems. These experiences, paired with my lived expertise, inform my approach to leadership: one grounded in empathy, innovation, and collaboration.
In my role as President, I am honored to steer an organization that transforms challenges into opportunities. We partner with families, healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers to ensure every child with special needs receives the tools to thrive. Our work bridges gaps in access to therapies, education, and community networks, while amplifying voices often sidelined in critical conversations.
Under my leadership, Autism Awareness and Support Organization Inc. remains dedicated to fostering inclusion, advancing awareness, and empowering families to advocate fearlessly for their children. Together, we are building a future where no parent walks this path alone—where systemic change meets compassionate action, and every child’s potential is recognized and nurtured.
I invite you to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a world defined not by limitations, but by limitless possibilities.
In solidarity,
Tasnuba Mukool
President, Autism Awareness and Support Organization Inc.
Empowering Families. Elevating Voices. Transforming Lives.
Tasnuba Mukul, President
Joya Korem is a freelance documentary Photographer, Author, and Social worker. She is an OPWDD-authorized Independent Support Broker for Self Direction and works closely with the families of Intellectual / Developmental Disabled Individuals. She voluntarily served at different nonprofits in New York. She has full-time work experience at QSAC and GERSH Autism. She also works for the Progeria Research Foundation, USA, in providing medical facilities to the progeria-affected kids in Bangladesh.
She exclusively worked in the area of children’s rare diseases, autism, and other disabilities for many years and especially tried to focus on their success stories. Because she believes that sharing their success stories can bring inspiration and hope to thousands of other parents who are experiencing the same challenging tasks of raising special children.
While working with special needs children, she saw their deep struggles and the stigma surrounding Autism. She realized that care and awareness is the key to helping them thrive. From that viewpoint, her awareness creating documentary photo book on the success stories of special children ‘Let’s break the silence’ was published in 2018. She introduced many special children in her book whose responses to external cues were improved tremendously and they had shown remarkable behavioral improvement. The book was appreciated widely and awarded in the Athens International Photo festival. Later she founded her awareness creating Social movement platform in Bangladesh under the same banner of ‘Let’s break the silence’ (LBTS). She received two honors from the Mayor of New York City: one for her photo book in 2023 and another for her community work in 2025. She is now working on her second awareness creating Photo book ‘Blue Path’.
She was trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy under Heidi G. Kaduson, PHD., RPT-S from the Play Therapy Training Institute, New Jersey, USA approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT).
She completed her graduation diploma in Photography in Bangladesh back in 2014 and worked as a Teacher at different general and special schools.
Joya believes that special children are an integral part of our society and we should shift our viewpoint towards them. Our little care, attention, and support can help them grow, thrive, and build society together.
info@autismawarenessny.org
Marsad Kabir, Secretary
info@autismawarenessny.org
rawshan@autismawarenessny.org
Marsad Kabir serves as Secretary of Autism Awareness and Support Organization Inc., where his dynamic leadership, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication to inclusivity converge to advance the organization’s mission of empowering individuals with autism and their families. A Bangladeshi American advocate with a robust background in computer science, Marsad skillfully bridges the worlds of technology and human-centered service, crafting innovative solutions that amplify accessibility and foster equity.
Driven by a profound commitment to community upliftment, Marsad leverages his technical acumen to streamline organizational operations, optimize resource allocation, and implement forward-thinking strategies that elevate the nonprofit’s impact. His work is rooted in the belief that technology, when guided by empathy, can dismantle barriers and create pathways for individuals with autism to thrive. Whether designing inclusive programs, advocating for systemic change, or collaborating with stakeholders, he ensures that every initiative prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and meaningful participation.
Beyond his operational contributions, Marsad embodies a compassionate leader who actively listens to the voices of those he serves. His advocacy extends to fostering partnerships with educators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations, cultivating a network of support that empowers families to navigate challenges with confidence. By championing awareness campaigns and educational workshops, he amplifies understanding of neurodiversity, challenging stereotypes and nurturing a culture of acceptance.
Guided by the principle that every individual deserves to feel valued and supported, Marsad’s leadership at Autsim Awareness and Support Organization Inc., is a testament to his ability to unite innovation with humanity. His vision for an inclusive world—where differences are celebrated and opportunities are equitable—fuels the organization’s transformative work, inspiring hope and driving measurable change for communities at the intersection of ability and aspiration.