NEXT for AUTISM has selected 20 new recipients of its work-based scholarship program. July 30, 2024 (New York, NY)–NEXT for AUTISM (NEXT), a leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the national landscape of services for people with autism selects 20 college students to be part of the 2024-2025 NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS work-based scholarship program. NEXT […]
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Harvey Keitel, Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, Paul Rudd, Chris Rock and Too Many More Hit the Stage at Night of Too Many Stars – A Live Comedy Event Benefiting Autism Programs at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on December 11
Night of Too Many Stars – A Live Comedy Event Benefiting NEXT for AUTISM at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on December 11th The sold-out crowd of nearly 3,000 enjoyed a night of too many laughs as they were entertained by host Jon Stewart who opened the show following a performance from Darlene Love and […]
The National Golf Buyers Association and Callaway Golf Partner on Series of Products to Support NEXT for AUTISM
The National Golf Buyers Association (NGBA), aka Golf Headquarters Group, is proud to announce a collaboration with Callaway Golf designed and intended to support NEXT for AUTISM June 26, 2023 (New York, NY)—The NGBA committee worked closely with Callaway designers to produce a series of products that launched to the consumer in April 2023. A […]
A celebration 20 years in the making
Sunday, April 2, 2023 It’s World Autism Awareness Day and the beginning of #AutismAcceptanceMonth. This year, the team at NEXT for AUTISM is celebrating our 20th anniversary. We are reflecting on 20 years of listening, innovating, empowering, and sharing. Driven by our deep belief that individuals with autism deserve to live fulfilling and productive lives, NEXT has two decades […]
“Myth-busting” The Role of the Direct Support Professional: Professionalizing the DSP
By Brad Walker, Vice-President, Strategic Adult Initiative at NEXT for AUTISM and Shelly May, Deputy Director, Johnson County Developmental Supports/Board President – InterHab Autistic and intellectually developmentally disabled (IDD) adults desperately need quality community-based professional support. Close to 200,000 autistic individuals are waiting for access to a safe home and professionally developed DSPs, where they […]
NEXT for AUTISM Establishes New Advisory Board – A Diverse Group of Individuals Who Will Provide Critical Feedback on the Organization’s Work
NEW YORK, July 15, 2021 — NEXT for AUTISM, a national nonprofit committed to changing the paradigm for how individuals with autism thrive throughout their adult lives, announces a newly formed advisory board focused on providing critical feedback on the nonprofit’s work. The Advisory Board, led by Patricia Wright, PhD, MPH, SVP of Strategic Initiatives, […]
NEXT for AUTISM is the “Featured Charity of the Week” on page 26 of The Week Junior
Next for Autism supports educational and employment program for prople with autism… Read more
NEXT for AUTISM is the “Featured Charity of the Week” on page 26 of The Week Junior.
The “The Week Junior” released this article on 04/30/2021. See the original article here.
Reflections: Fathering A Young Black Man with Autism
These are peerless times. Last summer, I battled with anxiety and sadness when George Floyd was killed, and protests erupted across our country. This year, the assault on the Capitol left me feeling anger and despair. To cope, I’ve simply moved away from the negative energy on social media and disengaged from thoughts that can […]
Forbes article, The State Of Autism Employment In 2021, mentions NEXT for AUTISM’s employment work.
The “forbes” released this article on 01/12/2021. See the original article here.
Reflections: A Mother’s Journey
By Roxie Todd My daughter is forty-years-old and she has autism. We didn’t know she had autism until she was in her mid-twenties. Believe me, we knew something was different, we just didn’t know what it was. We had been to specialists from the time she was three-years-old looking for answers, each time receiving a different diagnosis, […]
Reflections: My Son Was My Start Over
In this new series, we bring you personal stories and heartfelt musings that we hope will lift our spirits and bring us closer together as a community. Our first guest is Jamiel Owens, an autism dad and the host of The Ausome Show. Jamiel shares his journey of becoming a father with the help of […]
Freddie Mac, Cintas, JP Morgan Chase & WhiteFox Defense to discuss best practices for corporate disability employment programs with NEXT for AUTISM.
To honor the 75th National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October and the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this year, NEXT for AUTISM will host a discussion with representatives from Freddie Mac, Cintas, JPMorgan Chase and WhiteFox Defense about their disability employment initiatives. These Fortune 500 companies and technology company have committed […]
Congratulations to PSAE Class of 2020
Congratulations, Class of 2020! We’re so proud of the interns from the Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement employment program who celebrated graduation on June 23rd on Zoom. This was a particularly challenging year with interruptions due to the pandemic, yet the interns adjusted and finished strong under the steadfast guidance of the program team. The growth […]
Patricia Wright is featured in Ability Magazine discussing COVID-19 and our programs.
The “abilitymagazine” released this article on 06/12/2020. See the original article here.
Grantee Spotlight: Up and Away Immersive Musical Now Online!
In 2018, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City created an innovative musical, designed just for children with autism and their families. Up and Away was a sold-out event in which each child became part of the story and journeyed through the set with actors trained on the sensitivities and challenges of […]
A Letter From Ilene Lainer – April 2, 2020
As I write this letter, the global health crisis has firmly taken hold in New York City, NEXT for AUTISM’s home. I’m relieved to report that our staff is doing well, having adjusted to working remotely with agility and speed. NEXT for AUTISM is fully operational online. Consistent with our mission, we are planning for […]
NEXT for AUTSM board member Yie-Hsin Hung is highlighted is Barron’s Women in Finance.
The “barrons” released this article on 03/20/2020. See the original article here.
Staying Positive: Some Helpful Tips
By Patricia Wright, Ph.D. MPH Patricia Wright, Senior VP of Program Development, offers her thoughts on how parents might mitigate anxiety for themselves and their children with autism during tough times. This is a fluid situation. Stay informed but try not to check your newsfeed constantly. This will contribute to your anxiety, which will be […]
“There’s No Place Like Home”
Courtesy of The Arc By Brad Walker, V.P., Community Living Supports A recent, national report by The Arc confirmed that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with autism, prefer to live in community-based settings. Community living, according to the report, is not only more cost effective, it also leads to positive outcomes in […]
Read about artist Rebecca Moses’ work for Fragrance Week which benefits NEXT for AUTISM.
The “wwd” released this article on 02/19/2020. See the original article here.
The AAP’s Latest Recommendations on ASD: Our Takeaways
By Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, and SVP Program Development The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued an updated clinical report on autism, its first in twelve years. The recommendations in “Identification, Evaluation and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” were notable for promoting early diagnosis and intervention and greater attention to adolescence and […]
20/20 Vision in 2020- A Letter from Ilene Lainer
As we enter a new decade, I’ve been thinking back on our work over the last ten years. Each of the programs that we built began with one common drive – to think forward and envision new possibilities for individuals and families living with autism. I look forward to the next decade, and am committed […]
Making a Difference is the First Step
Brad Walker, VP of Community Living Supports, trains and consults with staff at NEXT for NEIGHBORS, our community living program currently in development. The program will employ the Professional Family Teaching Model, which emphasizes family-style living in a supportive, teaching environment for adults with autism. To honor National Caregivers Month, Brad celebrates two, exemplary professional […]
Read Laura Slatkin’s, Co-Founder and Board Chair of NEXT for AUTISM, interview in The Fragrance Foundation’s Accords about NEXT’s greatest achievements and future plans.
The “fragrancefoundationaccords” released this article on 10/20/2019. See the original article here.
What’s New With Our Favorite Dads?
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ed-kevin-leo-2-600×358.jpg Three years ago on Father’s Day, we introduced our readers to Ed Tournu and Kevin Donohue, two Long Island dads who had adopted a boy with autism. Though they had only intended to foster 13 year-old Leo at the time, until a permanent home could be found, the dads fell in love with Leo […]
Autism Interns Gain Real World Experience While Raising Awareness
On a recent spring day, Shannon and Jack, two interns from the Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement employment training program, were spotted at an information table, greeting passersby on NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s Westchester campus. They wanted to raise awareness about their program and the importance of work for people with autism. With the high rate of unemployment […]
A Happy Mother-Daughter Partnership
Mothers and daughters have connected over food for generations, but that wasn’t the reason that Arlene Maidman took her daughter, Julia, to cooking lessons four years ago. Family friends had gifted the lessons to Julia for her sweet 16, and Arlene just went along. But what she saw in Julia that afternoon changed both of […]
KCBS San Francisco and the A2A Alliance interviewed the president of NEXT for AUTISM for these radio podcast. Listen Now!
The “a2aalliance” released this article on 05/05/2019. See the original article here.
The Light In All Of Us
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Satya-and-Son-e1556742652157.jpg Satya, jewelry designer and the owner of Satya Jewelry, approached NEXT for AUTISM to partner on the launch of The Beautiful You Collection, which she had designed to honor the individuality and gifts of those on the autism spectrum. Satya is committed to celebrating our community and has pledged to donate a portion of […]
Open Yourself to a World of Possibility
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pic1.jpg This remarkable 16-year-old high-school student, Shreya Suneja, became involved with autism causes when her younger cousin was diagnosed. She shares her story with us, hoping to inspire other young people towards greater acceptance of individuals with autism. Walking through the hallways of my high school, one thing has become very clear to me: we […]
Thinking Forward – April 2, 2019
We entered 2019 redoubling our efforts not only to build excellent model programs for people with autism and their families, but also to better define ourselves as an organization. I’d like to share some of our evolving insights with you, as they are our guide to moving forward. We Reimagine Autism Services. NEXT for AUTISM […]
20-year-old Julia has turned her passion for baking into meaningful work. Proud of her and all young adults with autism who are finding their own way to adulthood.
The “ny1” released this article on 03/31/2019. See the original article here.
An interview with Laura Slatkin, Board President & Co-founder, on what drives her in business and at NEXT for AUTISM. (Check out our shoutout 27 minutes into this podcast.)
The “wherebrainsmeetbeauty” released this article on 03/06/2019. See the original article here.
Autistic Reflections: An Audiogram Series
Life on the autism spectrum presents a unique set of experiences every day. Check out these first-person reflections from autistic individuals on what it’s like navigating employment, a social calendar, prioritizing health and happiness, and defining what “home” means to them. Listen in on how autistic adults are thriving at work. Meet Dallas Dismuke: Dallas […]
The Coming Care Crisis as Kids With Autism Grow Up
The personal challenges and systemic barriers faced by adults with autism and their families are, indeed, as profound as outlined in The Atlantic article below. Life for adults with autism can be devoid of opportunity and hope. For parents, navigating a confusing system of support and facing an uncertain future are sources of unrelenting anguish, […]
A Message from Ilene Lainer – December 2018
2018 was a year of strategic planning as well as empowerment at NEXT for AUTISM. Our leadership looked back at 15 years of program building and planned forward. The process challenged us and affirmed our commitment to always ask, “What’s NEXT for autism?” This year, we focused our energies on creating opportunities for adults, the […]
A Message from Ilene Lainer
When the United Nations declared the first World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd, 2007, NEXT for AUTISM was already four years old. We had opened the NYC Autism Charter School, our first model program, and we were actively tackling the lack of quality services for individuals with autism and their families. We were then, and […]
The 2nd Annual Cabaret to Benefit Autism, “All You Need: A Beatles Cabaret”
On July 30th, over 300 community members, performers and volunteers attended the second annual Cabaret to Benefit Autism held in Woodmere, NY to support NYCA. At this year’s event, “All You Need: A Beatles Cabaret,” 13-year old Andrew Feldman (producer, director, drummer, vocalist) and friends performed over 30 iconic Beatles songs from “All You Need […]
NYC Autism Charter School Peer Mentors Video
In 2005, we envisioned a place where children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) would not only learn from others but teach valuable lessons to their typically developing peers, teachers and community. We are proud to say that over the past 8 years we have seen this vision come to life.
