Areva Martin, Esq. is widely recognized as a civil rights attorney, legal commentator, and bestselling author, but the core of her long-term work is Special Needs Network, Inc. (SNN), the grassroots nonprofit she founded to respond to what she describes as a “crisis” of autism and developmental disabilities in underserved communities.
According to Special Needs Network, the organization works at the intersection of social justice and disability rights, with a mission to raise awareness of how race, gender, and class shape the experiences of people with disabilities, particularly Black, Latinx, and other BIPOC communities. SNN says it aims to impact public policy while providing education and resources to individuals with special needs and their families.
Through its programs, SNN describes itself as a nonprofit grassroots organization “responding to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities.” The group lists a “long list of programs and campaigns” that combine top-down policy work with bottom-up collaboration with parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. According to the organization, this includes direct services, awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy designed specifically for families who might otherwise be shut out of support.
In recent years, Special Needs Network has expanded its physical presence. The organization has announced new offices in Los Angeles’ historic West Adams district and in Bakersfield, describing the move as a way to meet rising demand for services across the state. SNN has also highlighted the opening of an integrated Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities in the Watts/Willowbrook community, described as a “research-informed national model designed to feel like home,” with therapeutic services and support under one roof.
SNN’s work also extends into emergency and crisis response. In a 2025 press release, the organization stated that it was “standing with families impacted” by one of Los Angeles County’s most destructive firestorms, with a focus on households in the disability community. The release outlined efforts to connect families with assistance centers and resources during and after the fires. Additional social posts from the organization describe initiatives such as collecting holiday wish lists for families affected by fires and running food distributions in partnership with other community groups.
Special Needs Network also positions its work as part of a broader economic and justice agenda. The organization has led a campaign to purchase and preserve the historic FAME Renaissance building in Los Angeles, framing it as a pillar of economic justice for Black-owned businesses and nonprofits serving underserved communities. SNN has also reported receiving $11 million from the California Department of Developmental Services to expand its C.O.R.E. workforce development program, a workforce initiative aimed at driving equity in developmental services.
Martin’s leadership around this work has been recognized through multiple honors. The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards profile credits her with improving access to services for low-income families of color raising children with autism and highlights Special Needs Network’s role as a support system for those families.
Her media platform amplifies these issues beyond Los Angeles. Martin’s official biography notes that she is a CNN contributor and a frequent guest on programs such as Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, and other national news and talk shows. She also hosts The Special Report with Areva Martin, described as an award-winning digital talk show dedicated to exposing social injustice and unpacking racial and social inequities with experts and thought leaders.
Taken together, Martin’s legal background, media presence, and nonprofit leadership present a consistent through-line: using advocacy, public platforms, and policy work to change the conditions for families of autistic and neurodivergent children who have historically had the least access to care. For parents searching for a starting point, Special Needs Network’s own site offers an Autism Resources section, updates on new programs, and contact information for families seeking support. Learn more now at Special Needs Network, Inc. (SNN).
