Vision

Paije Lopez is the visionary Founder and CEO of The ATA Lopez Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting individuals with special needs and their families through advocacy, resources, and inclusive community support. She is also the founder of ATA Pediatric Care Navigation Services, LLC, where she provides personalized care coordination and guidance for families navigating the complex world of special needs services.

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As a devoted mother to three amazing boys with special needs — Aiden, Tony, and Adrian — Paije brings a rare combination of lived experience and professional expertise to everything she does. The foundation’s name, ATA, was inspired by her sons, whose strength, love, and resilience continue to fuel her mission to help other families find the support, understanding, and inclusion they deserve.

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With over a decade of hands-on experience and more than 40 diplomas and certifications across fields such as special education, autism, child development, and healthcare, Paije’s approach is both deeply informed and profoundly compassionate.

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Her advocacy has gained widespread recognition. Paije has been featured in POWER Magazine, Parents Magazine, Unfiltered with Kiran, Best of Baton Rouge, and was recently honored as a 2025 Baton Rouge Activist—a testament to her unwavering dedication to empowering families and bridging the gaps in access, support, and understanding.

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Before fully stepping into nonprofit leadership, Paije built a diverse career in management, accounting, property management, and home healthcare. However, it was her personal journey as a special needs parent that inspired her to create lasting change. What began as Autism Allies Sunflowers and Butterflies, LLC evolved into The ATA Lopez Foundation, expanding its mission to serve individuals with all types of disabilities.

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Today, the foundation offers a wide range of bilingual services—including IEP and 504 plan advocacy, waiver assistance, caregiver support, help with initial evaluations, inclusive playdates, mom meetups, and community-driven events. Each program is designed to meet families where they are—with empathy, understanding, and real-world resources.

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Paije is also a leader in statewide advocacy, serving as Chair of the Florida Parish Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) and as a member of LaCAN (Louisiana Citizens for Action Now) and COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates). Through this work, she continues to shape both local and state-level conversations on inclusion and support for individuals with disabilities.

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Driven by her passion for equality and access, Paije is committed to bridging cultural, linguistic, and systemic gaps so that every family—regardless of background—has the tools and support they need to thrive.