Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiera Moultrie.
Hi Tiera, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started Autism in the D the same way a lot of mothers start movements—by trying to survive a season that felt too heavy to carry alone. When my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age three, the reality hit fast: Detroit families were navigating the same maze I was, but with far fewer resources, support systems, or culturally relevant spaces that felt safe for our kids. I didn’t wait for someone else to build it. I started building it myself.
What began as a simple Autism Awareness Walk—me, a stroller, and a mission—grew into a community of over a hundred families in the first year. I was running meet-ups, creating sensory events, offering parent support, and learning quickly that the demand was far bigger than the tiny corner of the internet I started in. Autism in the D LLC became the foundation—my way of advocating, educating, creating resources, and staying connected to families who had nowhere else to go.
But as the vision grew, the work needed to grow with it. I wanted to create something Detroit had never had: a dedicated, adaptive, inclusive sensory play gym and a nonprofit that could scale impact, build partnerships, and access real funding. That’s how Autism in Detroit 501(c)(3) was born—a formal structure for the mission I was already living every day.
Today, we host sensory pop-ups, parent support groups, community events, and citywide initiatives. We’re developing Detroit’s first adaptive and inclusive play gym, expanding sensory access across the city, and partnering with schools, hospitals, and local organizations who see the need just as clearly.
I started as a mom trying to make sure my son didn’t fall through the cracks. I’ve grown into a founder building the kind of support I wish existed when I started this journey. And honestly? We’re just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? Not even close. If anything, this journey has been a masterclass in pushing through barriers while the ground is still being poured.
The early struggles were personal. I was a new autism mom trying to learn the entire system from scratch—therapy, evaluations, insurance battles, IEP meetings, you name it. And I was doing it while working, raising multiple kids, and trying to keep a household running. There’s no manual for that, and the emotional toll alone could’ve been a full-time job.
Then came the structural challenges. Detroit doesn’t have nearly enough autism-friendly spaces, programs, or sensory-based environments. Trying to build something that doesn’t already exist means every step is harder: finding funding, finding partners, and convincing people that yes, this city needs inclusive sensory spaces just as much as anywhere else. Being a Black woman founder in this field adds a whole extra layer—people want the impact, but they’re slow to invest unless it’s already packaged with a bow on it.
There were also the real-life moments that hit at the worst times—pregnancy, school, financial strain, health issues, burnout, trying to run events with limited resources, and juggling my RBT career while building a nonprofit and a brand from scratch. I’ve had timelines pushed back, budgets stretched to the limit, and more than a few nights where I questioned if I was in over my head.
But every struggle forced me to build smarter. I learned how to write grants, raise funds, design programs, build partnerships, advocate legally, and run a nonprofit the right way. I learned how to turn “no’s” into strategy, and how to keep going even when the support wasn’t there yet.
So no—it hasn’t been smooth. But every bump sharpened the mission. Every obstacle refined the vision. And every challenge made it clear: Detroit deserves this work, and I’m not stopping until the families here have the access, support, and spaces they’ve been missing for far too long.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Autism in the D LLC and Autism in Detroit 501(c)(3) exist for one reason: to give Detroit families real support, real resources, and real community when it comes to autism.
Autism in the D (LLC) is the education and creative side. I make parent-friendly resources, visuals, guides, and tools that help families understand autism without all the confusing language. It’s also where I share information, advocate online, and keep parents connected.
Autism in Detroit (501c3) is the community side. This is where we host sensory pop-ups, parent meetups, workshops, resource events, and citywide autism initiatives. We’re also working toward building Detroit’s first adaptive and inclusive sensory play gym — a safe space designed specifically for autistic kids.
What makes us different:
We serve Detroit families from lived experience, not from an outside perspective. We know the barriers here. We know the gaps. And we build programming that actually fits the culture, needs, and reality of the families we serve.
What we’re known for:
sensory-friendly events
hands-on support for parents
inclusive community spaces
clear, simple resources
welcoming environments where kids can be themselves
What I’m proud of:
Families trust us. They show up because they know the space will be safe, calm, and judgment-free. That means everything.
What I want people to know:
We’re growing, we’re building, and we’re committed to making Detroit a place where autistic kids and their families have access, inclusion, and support — not just once a year, but all year round.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, not really. My children fuel my motivation more than any app or podcast ever could. They’re the reason I stay focused, stay creative, and keep pushing through the hard seasons. Watching them grow, learn, and navigate the world reminds me why this work matters and why I can’t afford to slow down. Every milestone they hit, every challenge they face, and every win—big or small—pushes me to show up as my best self, at home and in the community. They’re my “why,” and that’s more powerful than any outside resource.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://autisminthed.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/autisminthed
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASDInTheD/
