Just as she was about to spread the word about her new nonprofit, ShelettaMakesADifference.org (SheMAD), which will continue Sheletta Brundige’s more than a decade of work in the autism community, the headlines started popping.
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota announced on Dec. 18 that they suspect half or more of the roughly $18 billion paid out to 14 high-risk state-run Medicaid programs, including autism services, since 2018 may be tied to fraud.
“It’s a great time to start a nonprofit for kids with autism, isn’t it?” Brundidge joked.
But the headlines are also providing an opportunity to help. Brundidge and her new nonprofit, SheMAD, are hosting an Autism Resource Fair for parents with autistic children on Jan. 2 in Minneapolis.
“Only people who will be there will be people I trust, people who have helped my kids.” Three of Brundidge’s four children have been diagnosed with autism, and she herself was diagnosed this year.
Brundidge understands firsthand how the fraud is affecting trusted members of the autism community because she was approached by a scammer this summer. Brundidge said she got a call from someone claiming to be with an autism center and asking for help getting clients.
“I told him, I want to see your center and what it’s about,” Brundidge said. “This person told me they were moving it to Bloomington. So, I told them to call me back when I could visit the center. They never did.”
Brundidge tried calling the contact one day after federal prosecutors made their announcement. “He said they were out of the country.”
While the fraud and the $18 billion sticker shock have many in Minnesota talking, Brundige worries the true victims of this story aren’t making the headlines.
“While everyone else is focused on the fraud, I’m focused on the families impacted. No one is talking about these autistic kids.”
Brundige worries the affected kids missed out on autism services needed during critical moments of development.
“They’ve stolen the opportunity for these kids to start talking, get potty trained, say ‘mommy I love you,’ stop wandering out of the house, and drowning. That’s worth more than $18 billion,” Brundidge added.
A spokesperson at Fraser, the oldest and largest autism, mental health, and disability provider in Minnesota, says the organization needs nonprofits like SheMAD now more than ever.
“Autism affects a significant number of families across the state, and early, effective support can dramatically change life outcomes,” said Mary Arneson, director of marketing at Fraser. “In Minnesota, families need access to evidence-based, comprehensive care that supports development, communication, social skills, mental health, and lifelong independence—not just a diagnosis.”
For the past decade, Brundidge has worked hard to provide resources, connections, support, and even just a hug to parents of autistic children.
When several autistic children in the Twin Cities and beyond wandered away from home and drowned in the spring and summer of 2024, Sheletta took profits from her own company to spend more than $24,000 buying interior combination door locks to keep kids with autism safe.
Brundidge is the author of four children’s books about autism. Last year, she hosted a job fair for adults with autism and also a happy hour in response to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s comments that kids with autism will “never hold a job or pay taxes.”
“Sheletta is an advocate for children and adults with autism,” Arneson added. “Her lived experience as a parent, combined with her platform and community reach, allows her organization to connect with families who may not otherwise seek or access services.”
The Autism Resource Fair is on Friday, Jan. 2, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Coliseum, located at 2708 East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Learn more at ShelettaMakesADifference.org.