The time has come.. my 30th year of life apparently brought with it the energy and enthusiasm needed to run my very first marathon. I will join millions of people from around the world in New York City's marathon this November, and I will be running for the charity Organization for Autism Research. Please join me in my efforts to support this cause!

You can help me support by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. Every dollar I raise will advance Organization for Autism Research's great cause.

As many of you know, I currently work as a psychologist at a special education school that serves students with learning disabilities, including those who are on the autism spectrum. In addition, I work as an ABA therapist with 1- to 2-year-olds who show early signs of autism. Children and families who are affected by autism spectrum disorder are dear to my heart, and I am incredibly passionate about my work with and for them. 

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM team, you are supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism and their families today.

WHAT THEY DO:
The Organization For Autism Research funds research studies that can be applied to help families, educators, and individuals deal with the daily impacts and struggles that autism brings, including innovative teaching methods and communication tools. They also offer scholarship programs to autistic children attending post-secondary education. In addition, the charity has published numerous online resources and guidebooks to provide guidance on how to deal with everyday tasks and to educate children on the symptoms and difficulties that come with autism.

WHAT THEY'VE ACHIEVED:
To date, the Organization For Autism Research has funded over $4 million in autism research and has awarded $1,068,000 in scholarships to 356 individuals pursuing further education. In 2018, they launched Operation Autism which is a web-based resource designed to assist and support military families impacted by autism.

Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM team:

$10 provides a Curriculum in a Box professional development set to general education teachers.
$25 provides 15 copies of A Guide to Safety to families and first responders.
$100 provides the Kit for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school.
$150 provides 100 copies of a Life Journey through Autism guidebook sent to a community support group or military installation.
$1,000 provides a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
$3,000 provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.
$40,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.

Thank you for helping me reach my goal. Your support is greatly appreciated!