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Adult Prgrams nationwide
When grieving mother Linda Walder started The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation (DJFF) 20+ years ago, in memory of her late son Danny, it was the first organization in the world to focus exclusively on adult autism. Starting in grass roots America, Walder encouraged local service providers to age up their programs for young adults and adults. Her vision and collaborative spirit inspired the creation of jobs, housing, creative pursuits, social/community participation, and health and wellness programs across America.
As a powerful advocate, using her skills as an attorney and writer, Walder worked closely with legislators to develop key legislation like the Autism Cares Act and the ability for families to save money for the future of their adult children in savings programs akin to 529 accounts. Advocate Walder has led Congressional briefings as well as a panel at the United Nations, and the Foundation has presented its vision of neurodiversity acceptance around the world. Walder has partnered with The Epilepsy Society, Easter Seals, and Faith Communities to create important resources for all individuals and families impacted by autism.
In her boldest and most innovative move, Walder created the first and only adult-autism-targeted endowment funds at America's great universities, assuring an in-perpetuity focus on adult autism.
The latest endowment was launched in September 2024 at the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Health Professions. It establishes the nation’s first-ever post-professional doctoral fellowship program for direct care service providers in the field of adult autism.
The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Post-Professional Doctoral Fellowship Program for Occupational Therapy Direct Care Service Providers will identify a DJFF Direct Care Service Provider Fellow, selected annually by the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral (PPOTD) program leadership team, from a qualified pool of PPOTD candidates with existing expertise in adult autism and a professional interest in advancing the field of direct care service for autistic adults.
Additional DJFF Endowments include:
In September 2014, Yale’s renowned Yale University Center for Transitional Developmental Neuroscience of the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine and The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation launched The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Research Fund. This pioneering endeavor is the first Fund in the nation dedicated exclusively to support research projects relating to adults living with ASD. Research headed by leading scientists in the field of autism is focusing on expanding understanding of how adults age with ASD.
In December 2014, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Autism Programs Endowed Fund was established at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences/NSU to benefit the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities(CARD) transition and adult programs. CARD and The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation share a joint vision of expanding replicable models and opportunities that offer an array of paths for adults diagnosed with ASD to have the best lives possible for generations to come.
In September 2016, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Fellowship and Resource Guide Fund was launched at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey School of Social Work. Each year three to four Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Fellows from the School of Social Work’s graduate programs are named by the Dean to work as direct clinicians with family members of autistic adults and develop web-based resource guides for families to use nationwide.
In September 2016, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Theater and Performing Arts Fund was established at Brown University. It supports programs, education, and research and provides experiential practice through Brown’s Theater Arts and Performance Studies (TAPS) Department.
In October 2018, DJFF established The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Public Policy Fellowship Fund at Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Each year, a Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Public Policy Fellow is named by the Dean of Watts College. The Fellow is tasked with developing a national public policy agenda and a national public policy white paper relating to prevalent issues that impact the lives of autistic adults and their families.
Linda J. Walder is the Founder and Executive Director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and it is her vision that started the all-volunteer run organization named in memory and honor of her beloved son Danny. If you ask Linda, she will tell you that every move she makes leading the acclaimed organization that started a movement is guided by Danny and the life she envisioned for him. Her goal is to help others in the autism community of adults fulfill their dreams and reach their greatest potential, and to always honor the legacy of her son’s lifetime.
Linda has received numerous honors for her accomplishments on behalf of the autism community that have included a Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference, The Jefferson Award for Public Service, and honors from the New Jersey Coalition of Inclusive Ministries and ASAH, New Jersey’s association of special education private schools and agencies. Linda also received Redbook Magazine’s “Strength & Spirit Award” and was featured, as one of the five most inspirational women in the United States. She has been recognized before the New Jersey legislature for her humanitarian efforts that “exemplify a standard of excellence towards which others should strive.” In September 2011, Linda received the Seeds of Hope Award for her leadership in the field of autism and was featured in NJ Monthly Magazine’s September, 2011 issue. In March 2012, United States Senator Robert Menendez honored Linda with the Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award for her pioneering work on behalf of the autism community. In 2013, Linda was the first recipient of Autism Spectrum News’ Beacon of Hope Award. In 2014. Linda was awarded the Classic Woman Award by Traditional Home Magazine for her philanthropic efforts. Linda joined the Editorial Board of Autism Spectrum News in 2016.
As a spokeswoman and expert on adult autism, Linda has appeared in news media including Dateline NBC, News 12 New Jersey, WOR News Radio and in publications including The New York Times, Parade Magazine, USA Today and the Bergen Record. Linda has also moderated Congressional briefings on adult autism and moderated a panel of experts at the United Nations for World Autism Day. Linda’s blog entitled, Autism for a Lifetime: Finding Joy in the Journey offers unique perspectives on adult autism for those directly affected by autism as well as the community at large.
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