Mahoning Valley Autism Society Names Suzelis Director

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley has named Robin Suzelis director of the local affiliate of the national autism umbrella organization. An active volunteer and board member since 2016, Suzelis will be the organization’s first staff member in more than a decade. 

While continuing to organize autism-specific programs and creating family events, she will head the organization’s information and referral center that assists families and local professionals navigate the difficult world of autism. 

“The needs of the autism community are so much greater than most can understand. Unless you live in this world, you think of a child with autism as just a quirky, awkward kid. The severity and wide spectrum of autism is difficult. It can be self-aggression, it can be non-verbal autism, it can be an adult that is 22 years old without a friend. It is a lifelong diagnosis, and the current resources are not adequate,” Suzelis states. 

Suzelis completed her B.S. in communications at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She has served as a communications and marketing professional for 25 years. Her passion to advocate for acceptance, inclusion and the need for more programs and services for the autism population is driven by her two beautiful sons living on the autism spectrum. 

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