Laura McKenna, PhD: Writer, Advocate, Expert
I am an autism and education policy expert with over 30 years of experience. As the Director of Parent Support and Advocacy at the Cope Center for Autism, my team and I provide parents with resources on everything from ABA to college. I’m working on a book about post-high school options for students, called The Autism-College Connection.
With a PhD in Political Science specializing in education policy, I held faculty positions at Columbia Teachers’ College, Ramapo College, and Hunter College. I write about education and autism for the nation’s top newspapers and magazines, including The Atlantic, USA Today, and Edutopia. I am the parent of a 22-year-old son with autism, who is a full-time college student in Vermont.
Follow my newsletters for the latest news about autism, education, and politics:
- The Autism-College Connection (Short tips about college and post-high school life for parents of neurodiverse students.)
- The Great Leap (Longer essays about neurodiversity and the transition to adulthood. Some personal stories.)
- Laura McKenna’s Apt. 11D (A continuation of a 20-year blog with random thoughts about politics, culture, and life. With occasional stories about the royal family.)
Contact
Podcast with Rebecca
May 7, 2025 — I was absolutely thrilled to chat with Rebecca Resnik about colleges and autistic children on her podcast, Cultivating Excellence Podcast – Podcast – Apple Podcasts. Check it out!
Updates, May 1, 2024
Hi all — Lots of exciting changes going on here with new publications, podcasts, and private ventures. Last week, I published an article about autism education in New Jersey with NJ Education Report. “Rethinking Autism Education in New Jersey” In March, I was a guest on the podcast: Lawyers, Guns, and Money. We talked about…
Laura McKenna, PhD 