As a parent of a son with autism (Christopher was born in 1968), Pat has been on a journey in the autism community for over 40 years.  She became an advocate for her son when there were few organizations and before the public and the school districts were aware of the disability.

As she fought for her son’s right to be educated and to receive the services he needed, she found other parents who were on the same road.   She served on the following Boards and organizations:

1972 to 2003 – Autism Society of Los Angeles, Member of the Board of Directors  

2000 to 2001 – Autism Society of Los Angeles, Member of the Professional Advisory Board  

2003 to 2007 – Jay Nolan Community Services, Member of the Board of Directors

                          (Serves persons with multiple disabilities)

1996 to 2003 –  Valley Autism Parents Support Group - Facilitated a parent support group for parents of

                          children and adults with autism. Started in our home, it later moved to Cal State University

                          Northridge.

2007 to 2008 – California State Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism – Early Identification

                         and Intervention Task Force, Member

2006 to 2008 – California Commission on Teacher Credentialing – Special Education Workgroup,

                         Member

                        (charged with identifying the problems with the current special education credentials and make

                        suggestions for the changes that need to take place for restructuring the new credentials.)

2008 to Present – California Commission on Teacher Credentialing – Special Education Design Team,

                         Member

2007 to Present – Autism Speaks, Member of the Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors

Pat has been a professional lecturer and consultant for the following groups:

1. LAUSD
   

2. United Autism Alliance
   

3. Lancaster School District
   

4. Palmdale School District
   

5. Various Regional Centers throughout Los Angeles County
   

6. Cal Lutheran University
   

7. University of California, Los Angeles,
   

8. California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, and Dominguez Hills
   

9. Cure Autism Now
   

10. Autism Society of America
    

11. Special Needs Network
    

12. Jay Nolan Community Services
    

13. Pasadena Autism Conference 2006
    

14. Numerous other private groups throughout Los Angeles