“We sometimes run into challenges when dining out as a family. Because autism isn’t always visible, when my daughter needs to move around or adjust salt and pepper shakers at another table, people sometimes stare or seem uncomfortable. At Patrick’s Grille, they just let her be herself. The staff and guests embrace her, making it the one place where we feel truly accepted—almost like family.”
Ambassador More awareness and acceptance means more compassionate and supportive communities. Every April, Autism New Jersey does our part and leads the state’s premiere Autism Ambassador program. Across the state, residents coordinate community gatherings, athletic events, and bake sales to raise awareness and celebrate the unique contributions individuals with autism bring to our state. This year, long-time Ambassador Angie Tener kicked off the month by giving a speech at the State Board of Education meeting and accepting their official proclamation!
Professional Education Whether we are helping to change law enforcement policies, guide healthcare professionals to become more autism friendly, or give families and professionals insights on which treatments have evidence behind them, everything we do is infused with our team’s deep knowledge of and regard for evidence-based practice. This is especially the case with our annual conference, the state’s largest autism event. Professionals and families return year after year because they trust us; they know we are committed to putting on a world class event with regional experts in autism.
10 STATEWIDE CONNECTION SESSIONS FOR CSOC PARTNERS 20 TRAININGS SPANNING CLINICAL AND SERVICE NAVIGATION TOPICS IN OUR ON-DEMAND TRAINING LIBRARY 1,400+ ATTENDEES AT OUR 42ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ATLANTIC CITY
We are also proud to provide training and technical assistance to partner agencies for the Children’s System of Care (CSOC), New Jersey’s public behavioral health system for children. In doing so, we help CSOC system partners better serve children with autism and their families. Whether collaborating through statewide initiatives or supporting professional education for the community at large, our compassion and commitment to science are unwavering.
619 AMBASSADORS FROM ALL 21 COUNTIES 135,128 AUTISM-THEMED $82,107 RAISED TO SUPPORT AUTISM NEW JERSEY’S INITIATIVES SUPPLY ITEMS DISTRIBUTED
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT JOE NOVAK, ED.D., BCBA-D, LBA, CCC-SLP, ATP, USES HIS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AS A DOCTORAL-LEVEL BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, AND EDUCATIONAL LEADER TO GUIDE AUTISM NEW JERSEY’S PROGRAMS, ENSURING EVERY RECOMMENDATION WE MAKE IS EVIDENCE-BASED AND UP TO DATE WITH CURRENT RESEARCH.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT BRYNN ALBERICI HAS A PASSION FOR AUTISM AWARENESS. SHE COORDINATES A MASSIVE MONTH-LONG AWARENESS CAMPAIGN EVERY APRIL, SENDING STICKERS, POSTERS, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO OUR VOLUNTEER AMBASSADORS ACROSS THE STATE.
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