Founder Justin Palmer with his son
A Beaufort Marine Corps veteran and father of a child with autism has launched a nonprofit organization aimed at helping Lowcountry families obtain autism evaluations and connect with critical support services.
The Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund (LAEF) was founded by Justin Palmer to address one of the most significant barriers many families face: obtaining timely autism evaluations that can open the door to therapies, educational services, and community support.
For many families, autism evaluations can involve long waitlists, financial challenges, and limited access to specialists. Palmer created the organization after navigating those challenges with his own family and recognizing that many other parents face similar obstacles.
“Every child deserves access. Every family deserves answers,” Palmer said. “An autism evaluation is often the first step toward helping a child receive the support they need to reach their full potential.”
The Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund works to reduce barriers to autism evaluations and raise awareness about the importance of early identification and intervention. The organization also seeks to connect families with available resources while building partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, businesses, and community organizations throughout the region.
Palmer hopes the nonprofit will become a trusted resource for families across Beaufort County and the South Carolina Lowcountry, as well as costal Georgia.
“Parents often know something is different long before they receive answers,” Palmer said. “Our mission is to help families take that first step toward understanding their child’s needs and accessing the services that can make a difference.”
The organization is currently seeking community partners, sponsors, donors, and volunteers to help expand its impact and serve more families.
For more information about the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund, visit laefsc.org.
About the Founder
Justin Palmer is a Marine Corps veteran, Beaufort County resident, father, and founder of the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund.
Justin Palmer & son
After navigating the challenges of obtaining services and support for his own child with autism, Palmer became passionate about helping other families access the evaluations and resources they need. He founded the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund to reduce barriers to autism diagnosis and ensure that families throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry have access to answers, support, and hope.
Palmer is dedicated to community service and advocacy for children with autism and their families. Through the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund, he works to raise awareness, build partnerships, and expand access to autism evaluations for families facing financial and logistical challenges.
His guiding belief is simple: Every child deserves access. Every family deserves answers.
Palmer spent 11 years in the Marines conducted 3 combat deployments to the Middle East, before being sent to MCRD Parris Island as a Marksmanship Instructor. He holds a B.S. in Social Psychology and a M.A. in Applied Behavior Analyzation. He currently serves on the board of advisors for Beaufort County Department of Disability and Special Needs.
