South Orange PD supports autism awareness with patches

South Orange PD supports autism awareness with patches

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Police PBA and SOA Local 12 is supporting autism awareness by selling limited-edition police autism patches to help benefit Nassan’s Place, a local nonprofit organization that works to help make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by autism in and around underserved communities by […]

West Orange native authors children’s book on autism

West Orange native authors children’s book on autism

CALDWELL, NJ — Melissa Brady Petrillo first started noticing that few children’s books had characters with disabilities when she was in her undergraduate children’s literature class taught by Trish Verrrone at Caldwell University.  “Right away I wanted to do more research,” Petrillo said.  She did an evaluative study and realized there was a lack of […]

Light It Up Blue for autism awareness in Nutley

Light It Up Blue for autism awareness in Nutley

NUTLEY, NJ — Join Autism Speaks in celebrating World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday, April 2, and “Light It Up Blue” to help shine a light on autism. Whether it’s your front porch or your local business, an office party or a banquet, the whole world is going blue to increase awareness about autism. Autism […]

JFS coordinator receives award

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Maggie Drew, coordinator of Services for Individuals with Disabilities at JFS MetroWest, received the Outstanding Spectrum 360 Support Coordinator Award on Thursday, June 14. Drew oversees the JFS Support Coordination program, which provides case management services to individuals eligible through the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities. Drew and her staff work […]

WOPD to hold special needs symposium

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Police Department will hold a special needs symposium on Friday, April 27, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Liberty Middle School, 1 Kelly Drive in West Orange. The WOPD recently implemented Take Me Home, a registration and tracking program that helps law enforcement locate seniors, special-needs children and […]

ACAP launches iStrive program for young adults on the autism spectrum

LIVINGSTON, NJ — “I’m finding it hard to envision the rest of my son’s life and I need to hear what other parents have to say. Maybe there’s something I haven’t thought of.” “My son needs activities so his energy can be directed. He needs a structured place where he can navigate into adulthood.” “Especially […]

Words owners to receive Spirit Award for autism advocacy

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Autism Science Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding innovative autism research, recently announced that Marjorie Madfis, founder of Yes She Can Inc., and Jonah and Ellen Zimiles, founders of Words Bookstore in Maplewood, will receive this year’s Caryn Schwartzman Spirit Award. Both organizations were founded in order to […]