Maangaar Means Unique Mind

Takiwātanga, the Māori term for autism meaning “in their own time and space,” inspired Maangaar, the Somali term for autism meaning “Unique Mind.” Coined by our advisory board member Dr. Hussein Awjama in collaboration with our team, Maangaar reframes autism as a unique perspective, fostering acceptance and celebrating individuality. Like Takiwātanga, Maangaar reflects our mission to value every mind and build inclusive communities.

Programs & Services

Maangaar Voices offers culturally relevant programs to empower the immigrant disability community, with a focus on autism and related disabilities. Our initiatives provide education, support, and creative expression opportunities to foster understanding and inclusion.

Sensory Sundays at Brian Coyle
Partnership with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation - a welcoming, safe free space where children of all abilities can explore, play, and learn through sensory-focused activities.
Support Circle with Dr. Abyan Bashir
A collaboration between Maangaar Voices and Let's Talk Healing providers. This is a free weekly two-hour Zoom session for women in the disability community.
Online Support Groups
Our support groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Snapchat connect self-advocates, parents, caregivers, and providers. These spaces offer real-time discussions, shared resources, and mutual support.
Online AI Tools
Online tools, including AI-powered resources to support parents, providers, and the community. These tools offer guidance, answer questions, and provide culturally relevant information, making support accessible anytime, anywhere.
Maangaar Workshops
Our monthly workshops offer parents, caregivers, providers, and self-advocates practical tools, resources, and culturally relevant insights. These sessions foster learning, connection, and community support in a welcoming space.
Maangaar Stories
Maangaar Stories showcases authentic autism experiences in the immigrant community through blogs, videos, podcasts, art, and more. These stories celebrate neurodiversity and build understanding, with future plans for impactful publications.

Voices of Siblings

On September 2nd, 2024 we hosted our Maangaar Summit where we had over 200 participants spanning parents, providers, professionals and community members. One of our panels featured the stories of siblings of autistic children and adults. Through their moving stories, our panel shared the profound challenges, resilience, and love that define their journey. From feelings of responsibility and moments of joy to the struggles of navigating misunderstood realities, these stories provide an honest and heartfelt perspective on the impact of autism within families, highlighting the strength of sibling bonds and the power of shared understanding.

Maangaar Voices in the News