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Laura is committed to advancing the field of autism. Her son, David, is profoundly impacted by the disorder. In 2003, along with her husband and close colleagues, she co-founded NEXT for AUTISM, an organization dedicated to transforming the national landscape of services for people living with autism.

ABOUT NEXT for AUTISM

NEXT for AUTISM believes that everyone deserves to live a productive and fulfilling life, including the more than 5.4 million autistic adults in the U.S.  Over the past 20 years, NEXT for AUTISM has impacted more than 100,000 autistic individuals across the country. From launching the first charter school in the state of New York that supports underserved children with autism to developing a state-of-the-art center with New York Presbyterian that focuses on the overall well-being of autistic individuals, NEXT for AUTISM is about building futures and enhancing lives. 
Scholarships

NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS is a national scholarship program that encourages the next generation of Direct Support Professionals for neurodivergent adults while closing the hiring gap for many service pr...

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Mentorships

NEXT CONNECTS is a new bi-directional mentorship initiative with the goal of supporting young autistic adults entering the workforce while fostering improved acceptance and inclusion within businesses...

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Grants

To date, NEXT for AUTISM has funded more than 350 projects at 145 organizations across the country. With your support, they will identify and fund more autistic-led and community projects.

We sat down with Laura Slatkin to learn more about NEXT for AUTISM and how it is advancing the lives of individuals with autism, including her son David.

NEXT for AUTISM'S IMPACT

“Since 2003, we have raised over 50 million dollars to support and fund quality autism programs throughout the country. Among them, we have started two charter schools and built The Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, an institute in partnership with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia, and Cornell Universities that provides clinical care across the lifespan of individuals with autism.”

the NEXT for DSP PROGRAM

“David is part of a community living program supported by The Arc Westchester. The Arc Westchester staff are trained in the NEXT for DSP professional development model, designed to provide a nurturing and mentoring environment for adults with autism and other intellectual disabilities they support. This is making a tremendous impact on David, as choice, belonging, life-long learning, and healthy living are the foundational principles of the NEXT for DSP model.”

my PROUDEST MOMENT for AUTISM ACHIEVEMENT

“I have had quite a few but most certainly one of them was the day we opened the doors of the NYC Autism Charter School in Harlem and the Bronx. We were delivering services to an underserved population of children that deserved a state-of-the-art education. That was an important accomplishment.”

MEANINGFUL MOMENTS

“David is unable to communicate through words, but there are other ways to express love. I ask David for a kiss and he leans his cheek towards my lips. I kiss him and he smiles.”

MAKING a DIFFERENCE

“Luckily I am always being introduced to people who need help and guidance and it’s always those phone calls that make my work worthwhile. My husband Harry always says if we can help one family it’s all worth it. I love collaborating with people who are motivated to help whether they are personally impacted by autism—in which case we have so much in common—or they have no connection—in which case they are really special folks.”
To learn more visit NEXTforAUTISM.org