Our Work

Our Misson

We lead efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people touched by autism across the lifespan.

Our Vision

People with autism will lead lives that meet their greatest potential.

Our History

AAoM was founded in 2009 out of a need to address significant service and reimbursement barriers for individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

We believe that every family should have access to services to assist with education goals, to create a safety plan to keep their child from wandering, to enjoy resources and entertainment venues in their community, and to access housing, transportation and employment for independent living. In short, we believe no family member should be limited because they have autism.

Through our three Pillars of Work, AAoM has served over 40,000 people throughout the state and continues to lead efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people touched by autism across the lifespan.

Navigation

A life-long guide with professional help and answers for anyone touched by autism.

Education

We drive initiatives that address systemic barriers to education, focus on student-centered advocacy and educate families on related topics.

Employment

Maximize employment opportunities for individuals of all abilities across industries.

Our Events

Autism Hero Walk

Our annual Walk enables Michigan’s autism community to come together in celebration of their loved ones at the Detroit Zoo.

Michigan Shines for Autism Gala

Our Gala raises awareness and funds for Michigan-based families affected by autism and honors those making an impact across Michigan.

Navigating Autism Today Conference

Our spring Conference and fall Regional Conference connect the autism community with local vendors and expert speakers.

AAoM offers many online and in-person trainings.

See which trainings are coming up.

You can make a difference!

AAoM Board of Directors

Colleen Allen, Ph.D.

President & CEO
Autism Alliance of Michigan

Sweta Alberta

Counselor
Still Waters Counseling

Julie Bullock

Parent Advocate & Philanthropist

Brian Calley - Chairman

President
Small Business Association of Michigan

Stephen D'Arcy

AAoM Founder
Partner
Quantum Group LLC

Bruce Dall

President
MotorCity Casino Hotel

William Ernzen

Managing Director
Slalom

Amy Fangboner

Executive Assistant
PVS Chemicals, Inc.

Ronald Fournier

Senior Advisor
Truscott Rossman

Jeff Gebhart

Coordinator
Ford Motor Company

Michael Griffie

Senior Managing Director, External Affairs
Teach for America-Detroit

Nicole Hamp, M.D.

Fellow
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics

Kristen Harrison, Ph.D.

Richard Cole Eminent Professor, Hussman School of Media & Journalism
University of North Carolina

Melissa Howell

Chief Human Resources Officer
Kellogg Company

Tisa Johnson-Hooper, M.D.

Medical Director
Henry Ford Health System Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities

Kim Kerwin

Community Leader

David Meador

AAoM Founder
Retired CAO
DTE Energy

Mark Miller

Senior Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development
JACK Entertainment

Raj Nair

President & Chief Operating Officer
Multimatic

Paula Patterson

Account Director
Experis

Matt Paul

Executive Vice President of Distribution Operations
DTE Energy

Colette Rizik

Client Accountant
Apparatus Solutions, Inc.

Carla Walker-Miller

CEO
Walker-Miller Energy Services

Emeritus Board

Laura A. Athens

Attorney & Mediator

Paul Glomski

CEO & Co-Founder
Detroit Labs

Ronald Hodess

Principal
Miller Canfield

Jon Witz

President
Jon Witz & Associates

Medical Advisory Board

Tisa Johnson, M.D. – Advisory Board Chair, AAoM Board Member

Henry Ford Health, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Medical Director, Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders (CADD)

Nikki Hamp, M.D. – AAoM Board Member

Michigan Medicine, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician
Founder and Director, Arbor Autism Center
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor

Derek Bair, M.D. 

Corewell Health, Neonatology, Pediatrics

Stefani Hines, M.D.

Corewell Health, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Michael Geheb, M.D.

Corewell Health, MD, Nephrology, SVP (ret.)
Executive Director at Southeast Michigan Center for Medical Education

Sarah Mohiuddin, M.D.

Michigan Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor
Director, Multidisciplinary Autism Program
Training Director, Child Psychiatry Fellowship Program
Co-Director, Behavioral Science Sequence, Scientific Trunk

Steven Pastyrnak, Ph.D.

Spectrum Health, Helen DeVos Hospital

Jenny Radesky, MD

Michigan Medicine, David G Dickinson Collegiate Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Section Head of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical School

Neelkamal Soares, M.D.

Western MI University Stryker School of Medicine, Division Chief, Development and Behavioral Pediatrics

Roger Apple, Ph.D.

Western MI University Stryker School of Medicine Director, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

Kara Brooklier, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist
Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
Wayne State University School of Medicine

Leadership

Colleen

Colleen Allen

CEO & President

Marita

Marita Grobbel

Chief Operations Officer

Marc

Marc Berke

Chief Development Officer

Want to Work for AAoM?

You can view our open job positions and apply today!

Financials

How We Invest In The Mission

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is leading efforts to make Michigan a better place to live for people with autism and their families.Our impact on families, communities, lawmakers, and service providers is not possible without the generous support of our corporate, foundation, and individual donors.