Who We Are
Each individual with autism is a unique and important member of society deserving dignity, respect, and an equal opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
What We Believe
Each individual with autism is a unique and important member of society deserving dignity, respect, and an equal opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
How we do it
Our volunteers and staff are dedicated to accomplishing this through information and referral, family support, advocacy, professional development, raising awareness, and resource development.
As the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley continues to grow we have put a bigger emphasis on the needs of teens and young adults in our community, while continuing to serve children with autism and the entire family. Our board and staff work hard every day to create programs that help connect individuals in the autism community and their families.
We are creating connections by:
- Answering calls and emails daily from families and area professionals needing resources. We are for many families the start to helping them navigate how to get a diagnosis for their child (or as adults for themselves), to county services, to schools, to therapy providers, to social/recreational opportunities and more.
- Organizing over 50 events per year to help with social and support needs of individuals, their siblings and their parents and grandparents. We know that having a village of community and support makes a big difference not only on event day but to keep families moving in a positive direction all year long. Our monthly events include our Family Outing Group, Social Connections for Teens and Adults, Morning Support Group and Moms Night Out. We also offer our summer day camp, Camp FRIEND, quarterly Dads Night Out, Seasonal Events – Special Bunny, Family Portraits and Special Santa, Mini Grant Programs including our Holiday Grant Program and more.
- We partner with and attend various community events throughout the year. Helping our friends in the community with their programs helps our families with more connections.
- Our Mahoning Valley Warrior event is our annual celebration of our amazing individuals with autism and their families. While celebrating we are also working to raise much-needed funds to help us continue and grow our support and program needs.
We will continue to serve the needs of the Mahoning Valley autism population. Click HERE to check our current calendar of events and follow us on social media to keep up to date on our programs and resources, as well as all in the community. We work hard to partner and connect with other nonprofit organizations and county organizations to learn and share all that our families need.
Attend our events, volunteer, donate or be a sponsor of our programs!
Help us be the connection that Mahoning Valley autism families need and deserve.
The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley continues to be dedicated to serve all members of the Autism community, in our mission to create connections, empowering and connect others with the resources needed to live fully. The ASMV’s staff, Board of Directors, committees, and volunteers are passionate, hard working, and celebrate the diversity of thoughts and experiences within its members.
Jodi Glass
Director
Mary Brown
Camp F.R.I.E.N.D. Director
Jennifer Groce
Social Connections Facilitator
Anna Masi
Administrative Assistant and Events Coordinator
Anna brings over 25 years of experience in social services, nonprofit leadership, and administrative support, with a strong background in organization, communication, and community-focused work.
She has extensive experience coordinating resources, managing documentation, and creating systems that help teams and programs operate more efficiently. Anna has a deep commitment to community service and enjoys supporting teams through thoughtful processes and collaboration. She is excited to support our mission and work alongside staff, board members, and community partners.
Robin Suzelis
Information & Referral Director
Our Board of Directors
The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley continues to be dedicated to serve all members of the Autism community, in our mission to create connections, empowering and connect others with the resources needed to live fully. The ASMV’s staff, Board of Directors, committees, and volunteers are passionate, hard working, and celebrate the diversity of thoughts and experiences within its members.
Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer
President
Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer is the president of Marquee, a boutique strategic communications and special events firm. She is a former staff member of ASMV and serves as its current representative to the Board of the Autism Society of Ohio.
A native of the Youngstown area and a graduate of the former Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, PA., Heschmeyer started her career as a journalist on television, for newspapers, and as a magazine editor in Ohio, South Dakota, Connecticut, and Washington, DC. She later worked in public and media relations agencies for firms in Washington, DC, and Ohio.
Upon returning to the Youngstown area, she felt compelled to invigorate the Polish-American community in the Mahoning Valley in order to share some of her childhood experiences with her children. To this end, she founded PolishYoungstown in 2008. As executive director of this active nonprofit, she has developed, promoted, and supported a wide variety of classes, workshops, and events that have raised awareness of the culture throughout the region. A second organization and festival, Simply Slavic, for the larger Slavic community, was created soon after.
In addition to her Polish and Slavic activities, Heschmeyer is active with the Rotary Club of Youngstown, the Youngstown Press Club, and Youngstown Business & Professional Women. She has been married to her husband, Mark, for more than 30 years and together they have five children, any number of beloved exchange students and a houseful of spoiled pets.
Dr. Laura McBride
Vice President
Laura is currently the Director of Special Services for the Springfield Local School District in Mahoning County. Laura is responsible for overseeing all special education and gifted services and also for all Section 504 Plans and English Learner Services. Laura also works to ensure that students can access mental health supports within the school district by coordinating services with outside agencies working to build supports that can be accessed by all students and families in need. Laura is a former Intervention Specialist who has experience working with students with varying needs, including students with autism.
Laura received her Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Youngstown State University in 2002. She received a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Youngstown State University in 2008 and another Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University in 2014. Laura earned her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Slippery Rock University in 2023.
Laura lives in Poland with her husband Ryan and the sons, Colin (17), Patrick (14), and Ethan (12), and her aussiedoodles, Finn and Fiona.
Laura’s interest in joining the Autism Society of the Valley stems from her dedication to fostering supportive relationships with families of students with disabilities, including autism. She believes that establishing meaningful connections with families can significantly benefit students with special needs. By becoming a part of the Autism Society, Laura aims to contribute her insights from the school perspective while also learning additional ways to support families of students with autism. As a school leader, she emphasizes the importance of engaging with the broader community and connecting them to various resources
Ashley Roberts
Treasurer
Ashley Roberts, MBA, brings a wealth of expertise in project management, fundraising, and financial oversight to the Autism Society Mahoning Valley.
Ashley Roberts, MBA, brings a wealth of expertise in project management, fundraising, and financial oversight to the Autism Society Mahoning Valley. Her dedication to advancing the organization’s mission is deeply rooted in personal inspiration—her mother’s 25-year career working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Witnessing her mother’s transformative impact on the lives of others has fueled Ashley’s passion to continue this meaningful work.
With a proven track record of successfully leading and managing complex projects, Ashley ensures timely and impactful outcomes. Her extensive experience in fundraising has enabled her to secure critical resources and foster long-lasting partnerships, directly benefiting the communities she serves. Additionally, her background in financial management equips her with the skills to provide strategic fiscal oversight, ensuring the organization’s sustainability and growth.
Ashley is deeply committed to building inclusive communities and enhancing support systems for individuals with autism. Her dedication and expertise align seamlessly with the goals of the Autism Society Mahoning Valley, and she is honored to contribute to its mission of creating positive change within the region.
Sean Barron
Sean is a journalist for The Youngstown Vindicator and is the co-author of two books about autism. He is the co-author of two books about autism. There’s a Boy in Here: Emerging from the Bonds of Autism was written with his mother, Judy Barron. With Temple Grandin he co-authored Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism.
He met his girlfriend, Barbara Protopapa, at one of his book signings. Although diagnosed autistic at the age of 4, in 1965, he considers himself “healed” from autism, because it no longer adversely affects his day-to-day life. In 1992 he began to speak publicly at autism conferences about his experiences.
Ashley Douglas
Ashley is a Youngstown native and a graduate of Austintown Fitch Highschool. She currently serves as a Small Business Banking and Small Business Administration Closing Officer for Wesbanco Bank. Professionally, she has almost two decades of experience in Financial Leadership and Retail Management.
Ashley, her husband Brandon, and two children, DeAries and Gianna reside in Austintown Township. Ashley’s passion is helping others and giving back to the community. For two years, she served as the President of Alta Head Start’s Policy Council, where she facilitated monthly staff and parent meetings, was the primary point of contact for the Head Start parents and volunteered at every school event. She continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for Alta Head Start and Behavioral Health. She also is an active member of the Saint Christine’s Home and School Committee, where she serves as a Head Room parent, volunteering in the classrooms and for school, sports and church events. From the age of ten, she started volunteering with her mother, who was a paraprofessional in the local schools for children with Autism and other disabilities and from that moment, she loved working with the children and believed that advocating for those with Autism was vital. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys traveling, cooking, shopping, and vlogging.
Deonna Lampley
Deonna is a Youngstown native who grew up on the city’s Northside. That upbringing was her blueprint for the passionate work she engages in today. Deonna is a graduate of Youngstown State University and Our Lady of The Lake University, both in which she’s gained degrees in Social Work.
Deonna is a social worker by license and has extensive experience in child and adolescent development. Her experience ranges from advocacy to volunteer work centered and focused on community enhancement. Throughout the years Deonna has worked in various types of clinical and crisis settings. Her work with the Autism Society began a few short years ago where she continued her passion of working with and for individuals and families impacted by Autism.
Deonna is more than excited to continue to drive the mission forward for a purpose that she takes pride in. Her current professional experiences with Autism support will assist in the society’s vision and mission.
Kelly Long
In Memoriam
Kelly is a Parent Advocate in the tristate area. Long studied Special Education Law and has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She started out as an IEP Specialist for Psycare before leaving to become an Independent Consultant. Long advocates for services/accommodations for special needs students in the classroom.
Long is a founding board member of the Walnut Grove, an all inclusive special needs playground in Canfield, Ohio. Long served as a speaker who traveled around speaking to groups about the importance of having a playground for children of all abilities. Long served as a fundraiser who raised funds to design, create, and purchase equipment for the playground. Long volunteered physical labor to clear the land, prepare the site, build the equipment and maintain the property. Long is the mother of three children. She has twin daughters with Autism, and a son. Long resides in Canfield, where she enjoys spending time with her family, and cheering on her children in multiple sports and special needs sports
Chelsea Munroe
Chelsea Munroe is currently a Project Specialist II for Dominion Energy where she provides support for Transmission and Distribution Live Gas Operations projects from planning to post project. Chelsea supports company environmental initiatives on their goal towards net zero by avidly tracking and reporting methane emissions reduction efforts by utilizing hot tapping and stopping procedures in conjunction with portable compression to reduce blow downs.
Chelsea is a graduate of Youngstown State University earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Business Administration and is currently working on Civil Engineering coursework.
Chelsea currently lives in her hometown of Cortland with her 3 beautiful children and soon to be husband, Tyler. She has always cultivated a desire for volunteering and helping the community. Chelsea is the founding Chapter President of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Trumbull Co chapter, a nonprofit that provides beds to children in need. She has also held an advisory board position with Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteers often with many local organizations. As a new Board Member of the Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley, Chelsea hopes to be a champion for inclusion of all special needs individuals by spreading awareness and understanding to the community.
Julie Santha
Julie Santha is a Charitable Forensic Accountant with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Through her work, she helps promote accountability, transparency and public trust within Ohio’s charitable organizations. Julie brings more than 10 years of accounting, supervisory, and organizational leadership experience to her role on the board. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Youngstown State University in 2015. Julie brings a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency, supporting nonprofit organizations in advancing their missions effectively and sustainably.
Julie proudly serves on the Autism Society board with deep personal passion, commitment, and excitement for the organization’s mission. As a mother of two boys, one of which is on the autism spectrum, Julie understands firsthand the importance of advocacy, inclusion, and community support. Her dedication is further strengthened through close friendships with families raising children on the spectrum and her experience coaching a cheerleader on the autism spectrum. Julie is excited to combine her professional expertise with her lived experience to further the Autism Society’s mission of awareness, inclusion, and support.
Candace Turpack
Candace Turpack brings over seventeen years of experience in banking and finance to her role with the Autism Society Mahoning Valley. Her expertise in analytical thinking, organizational strategy, and leadership positions her as a valuable asset to the organization’s mission of advocacy, education, and support for individuals with autism and their families.
Candace’s professional skills are matched by a deeply personal connection to the autism community. Growing up in a household touched by autism, she experienced firsthand the unique challenges and gifts that come with it. Over the years, as awareness and understanding of autism have grown, Candace’s journey has cultivated a profound appreciation for the importance of inclusion and support.
Her commitment to serving the autism community stems from this personal connection and her desire to create meaningful change. Candace is honored to contribute her professional and personal insights to the Autism Society Mahoning Valley, advancing its mission and fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.