November 2023 Special Needs Living Magazine

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION WITH LAURIE CRAMER Executive Director of the Autism Society of Greater Akron

Q. Where do you work currently?

A. Autism Society of Greater Akron

Q. What is your job title here?

A. Executive Director

Q. How long have you been employed with your current job? .

A. 12 years

Q. What is your Educational background?

A. Bachelor’s of Science Degree, Communications, Florida State University Master’s Degree, Organizational Development, George Washington University

Q. What other professional associations are you a member of? (Board of Directors, Volunteer organizations, etc)

A. Board Member, Akron Civic Theater, Parent Representative, Family Children’s First Council,& Board Member, Autism Society of Ohio

Q. What do your day-to-day job responsibilities include?

A. Managing and running a small nonprofit organization, which includes hiring and managing staff, grants, fundraising and development, ensuring the organization is in compliance with state and local laws and regulations, and just about everything else.

Q. What is the inspiration behind why you work in this field?

A. My oldest son, who is now 22, has Autism. After his diagnosis at the age of 3, I began volunteering for ASGA. As Board President in 2009 –2011, we decided to hold a fundraising walk to raise awareness and funds to hire staff. With the incidence of Autism rising, so was the demand for consistent programs and services. We couldn’t do that as volunteers, so we set our direction toward certain goals, including hiring staff and professionalizing our board members to more than just parents of children with Autism.In 2011, I was hired as the first full-time staff person.

Q. What part of your job are you most passionate about?

A. It’s hard to name one, but I recharge my battery by teaching others about Autism. It’s really important to me that our community be kind, accepting, and supportive of my son and others with developmental disabilities. That takes the community meeting us halfway and withholding quick judgment and assumptions about why a person may be “acting that way.” We can all slow down a little just to be understanding and supportive. It’s not easy to navigate this world when you live with Autism, we can all help make it a little easier.

Q. What is your favorite success story you have seen?

A. Again, really hard to name one. We are so proud of the many individuals and families we have supported over the years and who have told us their personal stories and victories along the way. It’s a true honor to be a part of people’s journey and to know that ASGA has played a role – however small it may be – in making their lives a little easier. I am also very proud of the work we have done with our Autism Friendly Communities program, specifically working with Cleveland Clinic Akron General medical personnel to better understand Autistic individuals’ support needs in a medical situation.

Q. If you could go back and talk to yourself at the beginning of your career, what advice would you give yourself?

A. It’s actually advice someone gave me when I was at the beginning of my career. If you always work hard at learning everything about your job, have a positive attitude, and work well with others, you will be ready to take on the next opportunity whenever it comes to you. I have been fortunate that I haven’t done a job search since I got out of college.

Q. Do you feel like you’re making a difference in your job and why?

A. I feel like I’m making a difference and it’s because people tell us that we are. We’re very fortunate to have community partners, sponsors, stakeholders, and most importantly, individuals and families who tell us how the Autism Society of Greater Akron has made an impact in their lives. It’s what gets me out of bed on those days when I wonder if the long hours and challenges of being a small nonprofit matter. We are fortunate that we are a well-supported affiliate of the Autism Society of America and that is because our community believes in us and sees that impact, too.

Q. What advice would you give to parents in your field to help navigate?

A. Ask for help. I’m not the first person to say this, but everything I ever learned was from other parents. Reach out and get to know others. The journey isn’t as hard with others who understand.

Q. Where do you see your industry going moving forward?

A. Nonprofits are the backbone of the community, closing society’s gaps in causes near and dear to our hearts. I think as nonprofit organizations become more sophisticated, so will people’s understanding of how we operate and how important financial support is to providing these fundamental needs to our community.

Q. What has been the biggest factor in your career success?

A. Hard work, positive attitude, and sometimes, closing my eyes and jumping in when I was way over my head. So far it has worked for me.

Q. What is your favorite non-profit organization or volunteer opportunity?

A. The Autism Society of Greater Akron, of course!