About 18 years ago, when my son was diagnosed with autism, I began reading every book that I could find on the topic and interviewing experts. Out of necessity, I became an expert, too. I love writing about autism and helping parents navigate the system.
After spending years helping parents through volunteer work and publications, in 2014, helping autism parents became my full-time job.
The Cope Center for Autism
In March 2025, I became the Director of Parent Support and Outreach for the Cope Center for Autism in Northern New Jersey. We provide parents with help on everything from ABA to college.
I have a leadership role in a fast-paced autism start-up organization in Ridgewood, NJ. As the Director of Parent Support and Outreach, my responsibilities are wide-ranging.
In the first six months:
– Created systems for a unified approach to providing support, information, and connections to parents with autistic children
– Created protocols for helping parents post-diagnoses, during the school years, and during the transition process
– Formed connections and created referral systems with trusted therapists, medical providers, lawyers, and educators
– Created a description of services and rates
– Created systems to integrate parent support services with the Medical Team
– Created a social media ad campaign for Facebook and Instagram
– Attended a ten-week training program for education advocacy
– Assembled a 5,500-person mailing list of clients, practitioners, and educators in the larger autism community
– Built, designed, and wrote the content for a 22-page website using WordPress and Blue Host
Continuing work:
– Works directly with parents to provide one-on-one help for autistic children up to age 21
– Educates parents with a bi-monthly newsletter
– Organizes and moderates a webinar series of experts providing free advice to parents
– Oversees a staff of parent support specialists
– Participates in podcasts and webinars for outside agencies and programs.
– Maintains relationships with gatekeepers to provide an exceptional experience for clients
– Writes and designs a bimonthly MailChimp newsletter that informs and builds connections.
– Builds and maintains partnerships with stakeholders in the larger autism community
– Uses social media to increase awareness of ongoing programs and to share news stories and research
– Attends conferences and webinars to increase knowledge about autism and support services
– Participates in larger discussions about hiring needs, mission statement, and long-term goals
– Continues to build resources for parents
The Autism College Connection
In 2024, I became the CEO and founder of The Autism College Connection. I supported parents as they helped their young people “take the big leap” from high school to adulthood with bi-monthly newsletters, regular webinars, and private services.
I now provide direct support for parents at The Cope Center for Autism. I still produce a regular newsletter for the ACC and maintain a website with tips and tricks.
The Autism College Connection book is coming soon.
Sign up for the newsletter here:
Laura McKenna, PhD 