Voices of Impact: Making Room for Every Family
Featuring Michele Iallonardi, Executive Director, Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA)
For many families, going to the movies, visiting a museum, or spending an afternoon at an amusement park is simply part of everyday life.
But for families with autistic children and adults, these experiences aren't always accessible.
For Michele Iallonardi, Executive Director of the Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA), creating opportunities for families to enjoy these experiences together is both a personal mission and a professional commitment.
Michele's connection to NSASA began more than two decades ago, when she was searching for support following her son's autism diagnosis. Her personal experience would eventually become an important part of her commitment to helping other families.
In this Voices of Impact interview, Michele shares her personal journey, the challenges families continue to face, and her vision for a future where inclusive experiences are available throughout the community.
💭 QUESTION 1
What first drew you to NSASA's mission, and what keeps you connected to the work today?
My son Jackson was diagnosed with autism in 2004. Back then, our local autism community was small. I personally knew only one other person diagnosed with autism, and he was much older than my son.
I searched for local resources in the hopes of meeting other parents and finding support. NSASA was one of the organizations I found. At the time, the organization was much smaller and met about once every six weeks.
The organization became a lifeline for me in the early years.
As time went on, the number of individuals with autism has skyrocketed, with it now being 1 in 31 children.
As both a mother and a special educator, I know how vital the support we provide is to families.
💡 KEY INSIGHT
"The organization became a lifeline for me in the early years."
Michele's journey illustrates how finding support at a critical moment can lead to a lasting commitment to helping others find that same sense of community.
💭 QUESTION 2
What is one challenge your organization or the community you serve is facing right now that you wish more people understood?
As an organization, our main challenge will always be fundraising and financial support.
The number of people seeking our services increases daily, literally. We receive requests from new families and group homes every single day.
Since we provide all of our services at no charge and receive no government funding, every new family we support creates a new financial challenge.
As a community, our families need more safe and supported opportunities to engage in.
Many people don't realize the challenges our families face when trying to participate in basic activities in the community.
A great example is always the movies.
Families go to the movies together. It's a typical family activity and one that people enjoy. A new family movie is coming out? Great, let's go!
But it's not that simple for our families.
Many of our members struggle with what some might call standard movie etiquette. Sometimes our kids are noisy in the movies. They might be laughing or singing. They might need to get up and down a lot of times or bring special security items with them for support. They might be afraid of the dark and need the lights to stay on low.
But this doesn't work in a regular movie theater.
So what happens?
Families either separate, with one parent staying home with their autistic child, or they don't go at all.
A simple, typical family fun experience is unreachable.
What we need is for venues of all types, including movie theaters, museums, arcades, theaters, gyms, bowling alleys, and skating rinks, to offer exclusive sensory-considerate, autism-friendly hours.
💡 KEY INSIGHT
"A simple, typical family fun experience is unreachable."
An ordinary family outing shouldn't be out of reach because a child experiences the world differently. Michele's example shows why sensory-considerate opportunities matter and how community venues can help make inclusion part of everyday life.
💭 QUESTION 3
Can you share a recent moment or experience that reminded you why this work matters?
There are so many moments!
Every day, we receive feedback from families thanking NSASA for the opportunity and experience of being at one of our events.
Some recent ones include Bounce, Adventureland, bowling, yoga, The Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns, live theater, and the Cradle of Aviation.
Families share pictures and letters about the fun their families experienced together.
The joy is immeasurable.
I know how much these events are needed. My son is now 25, and these events still mean so much to our family, too.
They give us the opportunity to experience things we couldn't do on our own.
💭 QUESTION 4
Looking ahead two to three years, what would you love to see become possible for NSASA and the people and families you serve?
Looking ahead, I would love for families and group homes to have opportunities everywhere!
I don't want them to have to wait for NSASA to host an event somewhere. I want opportunities to be abundant.
I hope that in three years, all family-friendly venues will offer their own autism-friendly events so that the autism community can have the same opportunities as their typical peers.
Learn More About NSASA
The Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA) provides opportunities for individuals with autism and their families to participate in inclusive recreational and community experiences.
Through its programs and events, NSASA helps families enjoy activities together while building connections and a sense of community.
See NSASA's mission in action: Watch Creating a Connected Community for Autism Support
Learn more about NSASA:https://nsasa.org
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About Voices of Impact
Voices of Impact is an interview series created by Impact Squad founder Clare Davis to recognize nonprofit and community leaders who are making a meaningful difference.
Through their stories, experiences, and perspectives, the series shines a spotlight on the people behind the missions and the work they're doing to strengthen communities and create positive change.
Explore More Voices of Impact → https://impactsquad.co/articles
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