In her talk, Rachel Rosner explores the way in which accepting people for their varied abilities and skills will allow us to live better, happier lives. In comparing the journey of raising an autistic child to the journey to Hogwarts experienced by Harry Potter, Rachel helps us find a pathway to optimism in our interactions with the world. Rachel Rosner is the Director of Education and Support and starting her sixth year at AutismUp. She graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Education. Prior to her work at AutismUp, Rachel worked at the JCC for eighteen years. She spends her days supporting and educating families, and consulting with schools and businesses to work towards full inclusion.
Her current projects include the creation of a 24-hour HelpLine for families with an autistic family member. As the parent of two children with autism, supporting and educating families and the community is the perfect intersection of Rachel’s professional expertise and personal passion. Her favourite quote, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,” said by Albus Dumbledore, reminds her that we can make a conscious choice to treat others with kindness and compassion and that we can decide every day to make a difference in the lives of others.