Meet our Founder
Lindsay Dragon - Founder and Executive Director of Parenting Autism United.
Originally from the Midwest, Lindsay Dragon moved to Pennsylvania in 2002 and currently resides in Shavertown with her loving husband, Tim. Dragon has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Marywood University in Interior Architecture and Design. Dragon spent 6 years designing kitchens and cabinetry for new construction, remodels, and vacation homes in both New York and New Jersey.
After becoming a parent and shortly after receiving the Autism diagnosis for her oldest son, being an advocate for her own family and helping others in the process was a natural transition. Learning from professionals through Early Intervention, programs from Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere (S.A.F.E.), to working at the Graham Academy and the Autism Center at Misericordia University, Dragon was surrounded by professionals and submerged herself into learning how she could provide more support in our local area for parents/caregivers of a child with Autism, individuals with Autism, and the community as a whole.
Parenting Autism United was started in 2020 just after COVID sent the world into hiatus. Having that time to brainstorm and put programs together that are helpful, functional, positive, and nowhere to be found in her area was her obvious and new path. Being a family of four, the Dragon’s strive to see the positive side when they can, appreciate the silver linings, and never settle with the basics. Yes, they’re important, but the details are where they thrive as a family and as individuals.
OUR MISSION
Creating programs for our community to help families and individuals with Autism live a positive, healthy, and integrated lifestyle through education, support, and understanding. Identifying what families, parents, and our community needs to foster effective change and close communication gaps between families, service providers, and school districts. Providing outlets that help create balance for families as a unit and to individuals. Our goal is to break new ground for existing families and pave the road for the families who come after us.
The main goals of each program include the following:
Awareness
Acceptance
Inclusion
Education
The PAU advisory board is comprised of parents of children with Autism and community members who have worked or continue to work in the Autism field. We are happy to have entrepreneurs, medical professionals, advocates, therapists, and an attorney.
