Burlington County announced on April 14 that it will hold the “Autism In My Shoes” symposium on Saturday, April 25, at the Burlington County Special Services School District’s Westampton Campus. The event is organized in partnership with the Special Services School District, Burlington County Commissioners, and Willingboro Township.
The symposium aims to provide families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with information about support services, education, and strategies. It also offers opportunities for families to connect and share experiences. According to the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, about one in 31 children are now identified with ASD.
Dr. Ashanti Holley, Superintendent of the Burlington County Special Services School District, said: “We are building a stronger, more inclusive community for our students and neighbors by working together. At BCSSSD, our autism program is rooted in the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), ensuring every student receives individualized support in communication, social skills, and daily living. This symposium extends that work beyond our classrooms to support families across the county.”
Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo said: “As the father of a child diagnosed with autism, I know how daunting the learning curve can be for those impacted and how easily families can feel overwhelmed. One of the main objectives of this symposium is to let families know they are not alone. Our County and communities will work together to ensure everyone feels welcome, accepted and supported with easy access to the resources available.”
Willingboro Councilwoman Rebecca Perrone said this marks a first-time partnership between Burlington County and Willingboro Township for an autism awareness event: “The first Autism In My Shoes Symposium was held in April 2023 in Willingboro. It was created through the Willingboro Parades & Events Committee to foster understanding and strengthen connections without our community around autism,” Perrone said. “As a Councilwoman serving a community of hundreds of residents currently living with autism, and as a mother of a daughter on the spectrum, this work is deeply personal… This symposium is designed to bring people together to share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen our collective ability to support individuals on the autism spectrum in all areas of life.”
The event will feature keynote speaker Jamiel Owens from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Autism Research; expert panels discussing transitions from pediatric care into adulthood; workshops; resource fairs; presentations by local officials including Surrogate Brian Carlin; sessions led by professionals such as Stuart Altshuler from Disability Navigators; as well as Virtua Health nurses presenting early identification programs.
According to its official website, Burlington County encompasses 827 square miles as New Jersey’s largest county by area. The county includes Historic Smithville Park—a site featuring forests meadows streams wetlands—and recognizes women’s contributions through its Outstanding Women awards program according to official sources. There are forty political subdivisions within Burlington County—three cities six boroughs thirty-one townships—and it operates under a Board of Commissioners made up of five at-large members according to official information. The library system aims at enriching lives through learning opportunities as stated officially.
Registration for “Autism In My Shoes” is free but required.
