New York Collaborates for Autism


New York Collaborates for Autism is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to address the needs of people with autism and their families. Founded by Laura and Harry Slatkin and Ilene Lainer, one of NYCA's most well known accomplishments was opening the first charter school in New York to exclusively serve students with autism.
Every two years, NYCA partners with Comedy Central to produce an autism benefit called "Night of Too Many Stars." The event features performances from various comedians frequently including Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and George Clooney.
NYCA also founded Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism, a program to help high school student transition from school to work. In June 2013, they opened the Center for Autism and Developing Brain on the New York-Presbyterian Westchester campus to provide clinical services to people with autism throughout their lives.
In 2012, NYCA changed their name from New York Center for Autism to New York Collaborates for Autism.