LAURA & HARRY SLATKIN
2011 ADVOCACY AWARD
New York Center for Autism
In 1999, shortly after giving birth to twins, the Slatkins’ son, David, was diagnosed with severe autism. In response to this life altering issue, Laura and Harry along with a group of colleagues founded the New York Center for Autism (NYCA), a tripartite organization dedicated to autism education, community outreach and biomedical research. NYCA provides individualized, scientifically-based educational services to children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.
In 2005, NYCA organized its first Autism Think Tank, The Neural Basis of Autism, in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health, the Simons Foundation and Columbia University. Since then, NYCA opened the doors of the Hunter College Autism Center: Teach the Teachers Program, helped form a consortium of autism organizations called Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism and partnered with New York hospitals and Universities to form the Institute for Brain Development (IBD).
Their enormous dedication to children and autism is paralleled by continuing entrepreneurial success as Laura currently serves as CEO of NEST Fragrances, and Harry now leads Belstaff as CEO.