Explore Autism New Jersey’s 2026 Impact Report and discover our statewide impact in autism support, advocacy, healthcare, law enforcement, education, community engagement, and public policy as we work to build a more autism-friendly New Jersey.
GUIDING FAMILIES | PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITIES | RAISING STANDARDS
September 2026
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WHAT DOES AN AUTISM-FRIENDLY NEW JERSEY LOOK LIKE? It’s not just one city or town. It’s everywhere. Parents know who to call after a diagnosis. They find answers, guidance, and hope when they need it most. Police officers have the tools to make interactions safer. Communities are safer and more understanding for everyone. Pediatricians feel confident identifying autism. Children are diagnosed earlier and connected to the supports they need. Policymakers understand what families and providers actually need. Better decisions lead to stronger policies, systems, and services. Autistic people can participate more fully in their communities. They are valued, included, and empowered to thrive.
For 60 years, Autism New Jersey has been working toward that future by connecting expertise
with compassion, turning knowledge into action, and building a more autism- friendly New Jersey for every person, every family, and every community. This report shows how we moved closer to that future this year.
Thank you.
Suzanne Buchanan Psy.D., BCBA-D, LBA Executive Director
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HIGHLIGHTS from Fiscal Year 2026
MISSION |
Autism New Jersey drives statewide change and creates connections through compassionate support, expert guidance, and a deep commitment to an autism-friendly New Jersey.
We launched a completely redesigned website intended to be more modern, easier to navigate, and more useful for our various stakeholder groups.
VISION |
A New Jersey where people with autism thrive in their daily lives within fully supportive communities.
Our agency served more than 250,000 people and their families through our 800.4.AUTISM Helpline and website.
VALUES |
WE ARE: • COMPASSIONATE : We approach everyone with empathy. We strive to understand the unique and sometimes painful experiences of those we serve. • HOPEFUL : We are realistic optimists and problem-solvers. We envision a better future and design practical ways to get there. • COLLABORATIVE : We believe in the strength of partnerships. We work together to create a more supportive statewide community. • INNOVATIVE : We are guided by evidence and research. We challenge the norms, seek new solutions, and explore better ways to serve our communities. • RESOLUTE : We advocate for people with autism and their families. We won’t stop until they succeed.
Our 43rd Annual Conference was a resounding success with 1,400 attendees who came together for two days of learning, connection, and community.
450 attendees participated in our Q&A webinar on the complex causes of autism, and 156 family members attended connection sessions and new diagnosis webinars. 45 children with emerging challenging behavior and their families received ongoing in- depth support, and 27 children with severe challenging behavior and their care managers benefited from our expertise.
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INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES Educate | Support | Protect | Prevent Harm Helpline
Autism New Jersey’s flagship 800.4.AUTISM Helpline provides personalized guidance to individuals with autism and their families on everything from diagnosis, treatment, and special education to adult services, benefits, housing, and end-of-life planning. Families often first call after a diagnosis, then return over the years as new questions and challenges arise. This year, we expanded our support by launching a real-time interpreter service, making the helpline more accessible to New Jersey’s non-English-speaking families and enabling more culturally responsive, individualized guidance. We also broadened our expertise to include housing and Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI) and collaborated with an immigration attorney to ensure families received informed guidance as federal immigration policies evolved.
No matter where someone is in their journey, our helpline staff take the time to listen, understand each family’s unique circumstances, and connect them with practical, evidence- informed resources.
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“[My helpline staff member] was kind, considerate, understanding, supportive and knowledgeable. His deep understanding of how I might feel as a mother and the situation was amazing and very comforting.” “[My helpline staff member] was really nice and very helpful. She followed up on everything, provided great information, and I would definitely connect with her again.”
1,672 CALLS, EMAILS OR WEB INQUIRIES ADDRESSING WIDE RANGING TOPICS 19,346 REFERRAL SEARCHES ACROSS 9,987 UNIQUE VISITORS 124,700 ACTIVE VISITORS TO THE WEBSITE
Helpline & Family Advocacy Director Jon Gottlieb is a former special education lawyer and uses that expertise to assist helpline callers. He leads a team of helpline specialists.
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Community Engagement New Jersey residents have unequal access to services and information, and language barriers can impede their ability to communicate clearly with providers and schools. We also know that rural areas may have few specialists and that underserved communities experience delays in diagnosis and access to treatment. Autism New Jersey’s Community Engagement efforts are intended to introduce our agency to communities in every corner of the state and let them know we’re here to help. We provide comprehensive supports and referrals, but to contact us, communities need to know about
us. So, increasing awareness of our offerings throughout the state is critical to ensuring that all families in New Jersey get what they need to help their loved ones.
PARTICIPATED IN 22 INFORMATION FAIRS ACROSS THE STATE ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS WITH 2 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS TO ALL FAMILIES
Community Engagement Coordinator Leslie Ramirez brings years of experience in providing bilingual case management services and family advocacy and has a strong passion for building and maintaining community partnerships.
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Family Wellness Parenting a child with autism presents unique challenges and considerations. Caregivers often report feeling isolated and may put their own mental and physical health aside as they focus on the needs of their child and family.
Our Family Wellness programming gives caregivers opportunities to focus on their own well-being while navigating the demands of caring for their families. Through webinars, connection sessions, and health and wellness coaching, we offered practical strategies for self-care and created space for caregivers to connect with others who understand their experiences. We also brought siblings together to share and connect around their own experiences as family members.
122 PARENTS ATTENDED NEW DIAGNOSIS WEBINARS AND WELLNESS CONNECTION SESSIONS ORGANIZED 2 HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING GROUPS 34 SIBLINGS ATTENDED CONNECTION SESSIONS
“Being part of the group and having weekly sessions helps to motivate me and increases my accountability.” “I noticed that when I set some time aside to take care of myself it helps me to take better care of my family members.” “
Director of Family Wellness Amy Golden, M.S., BCBA, LBA, NBC-HWC, is a Licensed Behavior Analyst & Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
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Severe Challenging Behavior Roughly one-third of children with autism engage in self-injurious behavior, and about half engage in aggressive acts including biting, kicking, and hitting. These behaviors can be severe, placing individuals with autism and their family members at risk for serious injury. Parents often are unsure where to turn and may struggle to find appropriate therapy providers. That’s where Autism New Jersey comes in. We provide the families’ government-contracted care managers with clinical insights and direct them to behavior analysts and other therapists who can help. Plus, we provide overwhelmed families with compassionate support and guidance.
We also know that parents need clear and easy-to-understand resources for supporting their loved ones who engage in challenging behavior. We are putting the finishing touches on a forthcoming printed publication geared toward families that gives important information on challenging behavior prevention, treatment, crisis management, and family support.
45 CHILDREN WITH EMERGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR AND THEIR FAMILIES RECEIVED ONGOING IN- DEPTH SUPPORT FROM AUTISM NEW JERSEY STAFF 27 CHILDREN WITH SEVERE CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR AND THEIR CARE MANAGERS BENEFITED FROM AUTISM NEW JERSEY’S EXPERTISE 16 CAREGIVERS LEARNED HOW TO MORE CONFIDENTLY MANAGE CRISES AT HOME
We were also proud to host a program designed to teach caregivers of autistic individuals how to better manage challenging behavior via a restraint-free, trauma-informed approach. Survey feedback from participants both immediately after the training and three months later made it clear that this training was helpful and impactful for their families.
Jenna Glennon, MAT, BCBA, LBA, has more than 23 years of experience coaching teachers, parents, and professionals on how to reduce and manage severe challenging behavior.
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COMMUNITIES Build Connections | Convene Healthcare
Individuals with autism need more healthcare and get less. In addition to autism-focused providers including behavior analysts and speech therapists, individuals with autism need dentists, pediatricians, and specialists, too. But these doctors often do not have expertise in providing care for individuals with autism, and the overwhelm that comes with novel experiences at a doctor’s office often means families struggle to get the care they need. The goal of Autism New Jersey’s Healthcare Initiative is to fix that. We have created a self- assessment tool for healthcare systems to help them identify their weak spots and become more autism friendly. This self-assessment tool will help them to foster tangible improvements to providers’ physical spaces and their patient care processes so individuals with autism get the care they need.
To help families find providers who are committed to being autism friendly, we regularly update the referral listings on our website with doctors and specialists who can best support autistic patients. We also continue to strengthen the role of pediatricians in early identification and diagnosis. Because families seeking an autism diagnosis often face months-long wait times, our Pediatrician Hub and related initiatives help pediatricians become more confident in recognizing the signs of autism and accurately diagnosing their patients.
6 HEALTHCARE CONSORTIUM MEETINGS 74
NEW HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ADDED TO OUR REFERRAL DATABASE 4 PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES WRITTEN FOR THOUSANDS OF PEDIATRICIANS STATEWIDE
Director of Public Policy and Clinical Partnerships Darren Blough, MSW, BCaBA, LaBA, has decades of experience as a senior leader of behavioral health organizations.
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Law Enforcement Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative continued to build momentum this year by expanding partnerships with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the Office of the Attorney General, and community organizations to advance
autism-friendly practices across New Jersey. Through statewide training, planning sessions, presentations, and updated resources, we equipped agencies with practical strategies to improve interactions with autistic individuals. We also continued to grow the SAFE (Supporting Autism-Friendly Enforcement) network, reached communities through more than 25 events, and advanced the development of mandatory statewide autism training for law enforcement. These efforts have laid the groundwork for lasting systems change.
EXPANDED STATEWIDE ADOPTION OF AUTISM- FRIENDLY PRACTICES • Blue Envelope • Registries • Real-Time Locative Technology • Safe Simulated Vehicle Stops
PROGRESS SHOWN FROM: January 2024 g July 2026
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“I have been a police officer for over 28 years, and I have never seen a greater impact than I have with Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative. Their Law Enforcement
Advisory Committee (LEAC) has successfully identified and addressed the most pressing needs of individuals with autism during an emergency response.”
Edison Township Police Captain Jason Gerba g
Doreen Yanik, Esq., a former county prosecutor, has a demonstrated history of success. As our law enforcement initiative director, she has made great strides in helping law enforcement in New Jersey to be among the most autism-friendly in the nation.
NUMBER OF PRACTICES IMPLEMENTED IN THE COUNTY ZERO
ONE TWO THREE FOUR
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Ambassador Program Every April, our Autism Ambassador program brings people together across New Jersey to celebrate autistic individuals, raise awareness, and inspire communities to become more autism friendly. Because we believe awareness is only the beginning, our goal is to move communities along a continuum from awareness to acceptance and ultimately to inclusion. This year, we advanced that goal in several ways, including authoring an op-ed in NJ Spotlight News highlighting why being autism friendly must be a year- round commitment and leading a panel presentation at the New Jersey League of Municipalities annual conference.
734 PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE SIGNED UP FOR THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 134,356 SUPPLY ITEMS DISTRIBUTED (BOTH DOWNLOADS AND PHYSICAL MAILINGS) $82,259 RAISED DURING THE MONTH TO SUPPORT AUTISM NEW JERSEY’S WORK
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“I really appreciate this program and all of the support in helping us spread autism awareness. Keep up the amazing work and I appreciate your efforts.” “Thank you for all the amazing resources for my school! Teachers are coming by to get stickers, pencils and booklets. Teachers are wearing the buttons! Thank you for celebrating neurodiversity!”
Development Manager Chrissy Toth collaborated with our communications department on our April acceptance campaign which provided online resources and sent supplies to our volunteer ambassadors across the state.
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Professional Education
Regardless of where we are trying to make an impact – whether in healthcare, law enforcement, or treatment service delivery – everything we do is infused with our team’s deep knowledge of the science of autism. Our annual conference is a prime example of how we put that knowledge into action, creating a unique opportunity for professionals and members of the autism community to learn from leading experts and one another. Attendees gain practical strategies and new perspectives
they can carry into their work and lives. Just as importantly, they make connections with speakers and peers that extend beyond the conference itself. By creating a space for learning and meaningful connection, the conference helps strengthen the broader community supporting autistic individuals and their families throughout New Jersey. Across all of our work, our goal is to put our expertise to practical use so that those who support autistic individuals are better equipped to make a meaningful difference.
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1,400 ATTENDEES AT OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN
“The willingness and openness to meet and converse with the speakers was unlike any event I’ve ever been to.” “I left the conference with practical strategies that I could implement into my speech sessions the next day.” “On both a professional and personal level, the conference has aided significantly in providing clarification and insight into how I can better serve the ASD and neurodevelopmental community.”
ATLANTIC CITY 20 TRAININGS ON
CLINICAL AND SERVICE NAVIGATION TOPICS FOR CARE MANAGERS 10 STATEWIDE CONNECTION SESSIONS FOR CARE MANAGERS
Director of Programmatic Impact Joe Novak, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA, CCC-SLP, ATP, uses his extensive clinical, educational, and leadership experience to guide Autism New Jersey’s programs, ensuring every recommendation we make is evidence-based and informed by current research.
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STATE Influence Policy | Raise Standards
Policy This year, Autism New Jersey continued to serve as a trusted resource for policymakers, state agencies, and the autism community. Through our network of 15 policy partners and regular policy communications, we kept families and professionals informed about legislation, state budget decisions, behavior analyst licensure, guardianship, group home protections, and other issues affecting individuals with autism across New Jersey. Autism New Jersey actively supported and collaborated with parents, providers, and policymakers on amendments to legislation that will now increase oversight of and accountability for group home providers, strengthening protections for this community. Behind the scenes, we also helped shape future systems improvements by collaborating with state leaders on initiatives related to behavior supports and other services for adults with autism. Our expertise was sought by multiple state agencies and legislative offices as they developed and refined policy, while our ongoing work on quality improvement processes and policy recommendations laid the groundwork for future change.
1 NEW LAW THAT MAKES THE GUARDIANSHIP PROCESS SMOOTHER 7 NEW LAWS THAT MAKE LIFE SAFER FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM 12 POLICY NEWS UPDATES PUBLISHED TO KEEP FAMILIES, PROVIDERS, AND PROFESSIONALS INFORMED OF KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Director of Public Policy and Clinical Partnerships Darren Blough, MSW, BCaBA, LaBA, works to improve the infrastructure of autism services in the state.
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Communications This year, we launched a brand new logo and website and developed a new agency brochure, significant milestones for the agency. These efforts were an important part of Autism New Jersey’s commitment to make our vast resources easier to access and our message of advocacy and acceptance even stronger. With this rebranding, there was an increased focus on telling impactful stories, both about the autism community and Autism New Jersey itself. To highlight both the challenges and inspiring successes of the New Jersey autism community, we began a “9 New Jerseyans” feature series. Additionally, for our 60th anniversary we produced a series of six articles that highlighted important historical and organizational contexts and emphasized our commitment to the autism community – past, present, and future. Just as importantly, our communications efforts helped keep the autism community informed about the issues, developments and resources that matter to them, ensuring families, professionals, and other stakeholders have access to timely, relevant information about the evolving autism landscape in New Jersey. The communications team also continues to support the organization’s various departments with their branding and clinical needs, while maintaining Autism New Jersey’s monthly e-newsletter, ever-growing online library of articles, and robust social media presence.
828,000 REACHED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA 10% GROWTH IN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY 450 ATTENDEES PARTICIPATED IN OUR Q&A WEBINAR ON THE COMPLEX CAUSES OF AUTISM 26 INTERVIEWS, QUOTES OR MENTIONS IN MEDIA ARTICLES, RANGING FROM STATE PUBLICATIONS TO HYPERLOCAL OUTLETS
With expertise in storytelling and graphic design, respectively, Stacie and Jessica led Autism New Jersey’s marketing and communications efforts in FY26, while Delmy helped coordinate projects, scheduling, and digital content to keep the work moving forward. They ensured every publication and communication was understandable, timely, and helpful to the autism community.
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OUR SUPPORTERS Sustain and Grow Our Programs Donors
The impact we made this year belongs to every member of our donor community. Thank you for helping us build a more inclusive New Jersey. Together, our donor community turned generosity into opportunity. This year, more than 500 donors invested in autistic individuals and their families. Every gift — whether $25 or $25,000 — became part of a collective effort that expanded access to trusted information, advocacy, and life-changing supports across New Jersey. That generosity supported work at every level, from helping individual families navigate complex needs to advancing statewide change.
Because of you, thousands of families found guidance, hope, and a community that stands beside them. “The advocacy of Autism New Jersey has made a noticeable difference in everyday life. Now, when we are in a store, I feel like people just get it.” “ Kelly Milazzo, parent and Autism New Jersey community member We are proud of all that we have accomplished together, but we know there is still much work ahead. The needs of autistic individuals and their families continue to evolve, and so must we. With the strength of our community behind us, we are ready to build on our progress, address emerging challenges, and create even greater impact.
500+ TOTAL DONORS WHO GAVE THIS YEAR 243 NEW DONORS WELCOMED INTO THE COMMUNITY 38% RETURNING DONORS WHO LOYALLY CONTINUED THEIR SUPPORT
Development Director Kelley Widerman, CFRE, builds relationships with our donor community, connecting supporters with our mission to sustain and expand Autism New Jersey’s impact.
DONORS FROM 18 NEW JERSEY COUNTIES
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Fundraising 27th Annual Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational
The golf outing brought together nearly 300 golfers, generous sponsors, volunteers, and community partners for a day of camaraderie and philanthropy, raising more than $275,000 to support Autism New Jersey’s mission.
This was made possible through the dedication and leadership of the Golf Committee, whose countless hours of planning and commitment helped make the event a resounding success. Together, they demonstrated the power of a community united in support of New Jersey’s autism community.
300 GOLFERS
$275k+ RAISED
Community Events Spotlight
The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh’s 5th Annual Plunge for Autism raised $18,000 to support Autism New Jersey’s programs and services.
The Kellys’ Autism Acceptance Gift Auction raised $20,000 to support Autism New Jersey’s programs and services.
Princeton Women’s Basketball celebrated Autism Awareness Day, helping raise awareness and show support for autistic individuals and their families.
Mike’s Seafood Run Walk for Autism brought together more than 5,000 people in support of the autism community and a more autism- friendly New Jersey.
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FINANCE Charity Rating
When you give to Autism New Jersey, you can trust that your generosity is making a meaningful difference for individuals with autism and their families across New Jersey.
We are committed to being thoughtful stewards of every dollar invested. That’s why Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading independent nonprofit evaluator, has awarded Autism New Jersey its highest rating of four stars for excellence in accountability and finance, impact and measurement, and culture and community. This distinction means you can give with confidence, knowing your support is managed responsibly and put to work where it matters most.
FUNDING SOURCES
Government Grants (45%)
Contributions (Includes in-kind gifts) (24%)
Program Fees/Conferences (22%)
Special Events (8%)
Membership (1%)
YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK
Autism Programs (71%)
Cost of Direct Benefit to Donors (16%)
Fundraising (10%)
Management/General (3%)
*Unaudited, scan here to see update when available. g
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WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Experience Our Power of Connection
CALL OUR HELPLINE By contacting our helpline, you will not only get compassionate, expert insight and answers for whatever barrier you’re facing, you’ll also help our organization better respond to issues faced by families across the state. We keep all personally identifiable information confidential. SHARE YOUR STORY If we’ve been a positive part of your story, let us know! We may be interested in using what you share in our marketing and fundraising materials to help us reach more families! BECOME AN AMBASSADOR Become an ambassador at your workplace, school, or in your community during our annual ambassador campaign in April!
800.4.AUTISM information@autismnj.org
stories@autismnj.org
www.autismnj.org/ambassador
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Engage with us on your favorite social media channels! We love to see your photos, stories, and insightful comments.
@AutismNewJersey
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP Current members include schools, service providers, law firms, hospitals, companies, and more. Organizational members receive premium benefits, including discounts for our annual conference, free job listings, and inclusion in our membership directory. JOIN OUR DONOR COMMUNITY Become part of a community committed to making New Jersey more autism friendly. Your support helps ensure individuals with autism and their families have access to the resources, advocacy, and opportunities they deserve.
www.autismnj.org/membership
Contact Kelley Widerman at donate@autismnj.org to set up a time to talk — and envision — an inclusive future.
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The Power of Our People
Our staff make progress possible. With compassion, expertise, and a shared commitment to meaningful change, the Autism New Jersey team works every day to support individuals, families, and communities across the state. Through collaboration and connection, we continue to advance a future filled with greater understanding, opportunity, and inclusion.
TOP ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT)
Jessica Barkosky
Delmy Serrano
Leslie Ramirez
Jenna Glennon MAT, BCBA, LBA Emerging Challenging Behavior Manager
Claire Wieczerak MSW Helpline Coordinator
Suzanne Buchanan Psy.D., BCBA-D, LBA Executive Director
Operations and Communications Coordinator
Community Engagement Coordinator
Digital and Creative Director
Anastasia Sanderson MAC Helpline Coordinator
Kelley Widerman CFRE Development Director
Chrissy Toth
Jeffrey Gaither MPS Operations Director
Darren Blough MSW, BCaBA, LaBA Director of Public Policy & Clinical Partnerships
Development Manager
BOTTOM ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT)
Michelle Nini
Amy Golden M.S., BCBA, LBA, NBC-HWC
Joe Novak Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA, CCC-SLP, ATP
Lynn McCullough
Stacie Sherman
Events Manager
Communications Director
Director of Programmatic Impact
Helpline Data Coordinator
Director of Family Wellness
NOT PICTURED
Doreen Yanik Esq.
Jon Gottlieb Esq.
Law Enforcement Initiative Director
Helpline & Family Advocacy Director
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Our volunteer Board of Directors provides the leadership, governance, and strategic guidance that strengthens our mission. Together with our staff, they help create lasting change for people with autism and their families across New Jersey. Leadership BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paul Cash Esq. President
Sandra LoPiccolo
Angela C. Scheck
Arthur Corwin P.E. Treasurer
Kristie Sells
Vice President
Secretary
Immediate Past President
Stephen Bray P.E. Director
John Doherty MBA Director
Thomas R. Curtin Esq. Director
Michael Elchoness MBA Director
Jon Hendl
Director
Kevin Kesselman
James Paone Esq. Director
Neelay Patil
Colleen Schulz-Eskow MA Director
Tim Kane
Director
Director
Director
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The Power of Connection
Making New Jersey a more autism-friendly place every day.
800.4.AUTISM | www.autismnj.org | information@autismnj.org
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