Leading the small but mighty team at the Autism Connection of PA since 2010 has taught me innumerable things, mainly learned via the grace and trusting nature of families and adults who ask us for help. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and REAACT/ACE have helped us solve complex individual problems and understand how to translate brain differences to practical applications for thousands of learners over many years.
Autism brings with it a huge set of challenges - many based in society's misunderstanding of peoples' competence, intellect, communication and motivations that drive behavior and decision making. The Autism Connection of PA began with parents meeting in each others' homes to share strategy and concerns about their little ones, and have since grown our database to over 20,000 people who help with or who have autism concerns. We curate weekly e-news with a focus on content providing hope and information, sponsor dozens of diverse support groups statewide, advocate for policy issues in education, healthcare, and justice systems, and answer 250 help requests each month. These questions spur us to produce specifically-needed and timely online content in webinars, blogs, and also in person events. We represent the autistic population statewide on boards like the PA Commission on Crime's Victims Services Advocacy Council, the Office of Developmental Programs advisory committees, and serve locally on the Allegheny County Autism in the Courts commission and the Advisory Board of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. To make sure people have fun, we collaborate with dozens of community partners in the arts and culture world, libraries, sports and recreation sites to help people produce sensory friendly events for all ages!
Personally, I raise monarch butterflies in a pollinator garden, love to create photos, drawings, and paintings, am fluent in American Sign Language speaking (but not always understanding!) and am mom to three adult sons and one adolescent dog named Gertie. Her Instagram is @gert.stagram
- Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling