Mental Health Expert Lauren Thome

Lauren, the founder and executive director of
Garden | AutismServices of Colorado, shares her unique perspective in her essay, "I Would If I Could"...

B

ack in 2006, as an undergraduate student at Rutgers University, Lauren Thome discovered her life's passion: working with children affected by autism and other developmental disabilities. In completion of an internship in her psychology program, Lauren was placed in an ABA classroom for children with autism — and from that point forward, she knew she wanted to devote her time and energy to making the world a better place for children like those she came to know in that classroom.
 

"I believe that with the right support in place, there can be growth and nurtured independence within every stage of development."-Lauren Thome

Since then, Lauren completed her master's degree in educational psychology with an emphasis in early childhood education at the University of Colorado, and went on to work as an early childhood mental health specialist/ interventionist with families affected by autism and other developmental disabilities. She quickly realized that Colorado, her home state, needed an organization led by field-experienced experts to advocate for, support, and empower families affected by autism. In 2009, she and a group of other women joined forces in their desire to start a revolution in Colorado's special education programming, and founded Garden | Autism Services of Colorado. The organization currently provides services to individuals with ASD, Asperger's and PDD, as well as those with dual diagnoses.

Links:

· Visit the Garden Autism Services of Colorado website.

· Read the blog. 

· Follow Lauren on Twitter.