Uniting for Change: New Jersey NCSA Chapter's Inaugural Mixer

Written By Jackie Kancir, Executive Director

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the New Jersey chapter of the National Council for Severe Autism (NCSA) held its inaugural in-person mixer. The event was marked by a palpable sense of energy and excitement. Parents of individuals with profound autism from across New Jersey gathered alongside experts in the field to unite with the goal of advancing policy in critical areas and effecting actionable change.

Our objective is to ensure that every politician, legislator, and policymaker in New Jersey understands the significance of severe autism to their constituents. We advocate for appropriate funding, support, and resources, and we call for an end to discrimination against those with severe and profound autism. Our grassroots chapter now includes over 120 members and continues to expand.

Notable members include:

  • Suzanne Buchanan, Darren Blough and Devin Baker from Autism NJ

  • Paul Aronsohn and Christine Bakter from the NJ Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

  • Dr. Charles Cartright, an internationally recognized psychiatrist and expert in diagnosing and psychopharmacological treatment for individuals with severe autism

  • Cara Graham, BCBA and Director of Graham Behavior Services

  • Dr. David Sidener, PhD, BCBA, Director of the Roots ABA Program

  • Dr. David Wilson, PhD, BCBA-D, Chief Clinical Director of Reed Autism Services

  • Dr. SungWoo Kahng, Chair of the Department of Applied Psychology, Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA, Professor, and Co-director of Research at Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services

  • Lisa Parles, Partner at Parles Rekem LLP, specializing in disability law and parent of a 33-year-old son with autism

  • Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis and Josh Kutner (Chief of Staff and Legislative Director), who represent the 21st legislative district and are advocates and friends to autism families.

We are committed to driving progress and fostering a safe and supportive environment for individuals with severe autism and their families through policy changes.

Join the NCSA National Grassroots Network here.
Contact NJ State Chair, Pat Miller at pat.miller@ncsautism.net.



Jackie Kancir, Executive Director

Jackie Kancir is Executive Director of the National Council on Severe Autism and the mother of a young adult daughter with a monogenic form of severe autism caused by SynGAP1-Related Disorder, alongside Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, severe intellectual disability, and autistic catatonia. Her caregiving spans a lifetime: older sister to a brother diagnosed with PDD-NOS in the 1990s, former spousal caregiver to a Purple Heart Marine, and now one of the nation's leading advocates for improving family caregiver support. The third generation of her family to work in developmental disabilities, she has spent decades in government affairs, public health policy, disability rights, and special education, and serves on the Statewide Planning and Policy Council for the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging and as Patient Advocacy Director for Cure SynGAP1. A brain tumor survivor, she has lived the need for both appropriate support and self-determination, and her advocacy is grounded in a system that has too often fallen short for her daughter.

https://www.ncsautism.org/jackie-kancir
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