NEXT for AUTISM

{{Short description|Non-profit organization focusing on the needs of those with autism and their families}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox Charity

| full_name = NEXT for AUTISM

| image = New York Collaborates for Autism Logo.gif

| caption = Former logo

| formation = 2003

| founder = Laura Slatkin
Harry Slatkin
Ilene Lainer

| type = 501(c)(3) non-profit

| website = https://www.nextforautism.org/

}}

NEXT for AUTISM is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to address the needs of autistic people and their families. The organization was founded by Laura and Harry Slatkin and Ilene Lainer. One of NEXT for AUTISM's most well known accomplishments was opening the first charter school in New York to exclusively serve autistic students.Schaeffer, Georgina, "Lighting the Way", Quest Magazine, November 2008, p. 92-93

Every two years, NEXT for AUTISM partners with Comedy Central to produce an autism benefit called "Night of Too Many Stars". The event features performances from various comedians frequently including Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and George Clooney.{{cite web|url=https://www.cc.com/|title=Comedy Central Official Site - TV Show Full Episodes & Funny Video Clips|website=Comedy Central}}

The organization also founded Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism, a program to help autistic high school students transition from school to work. In June 2013, they opened the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain on the New York-Presbyterian Westchester campus to provide clinical services to autistic people throughout their lives.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/12/autism-center-opens/2417503/|title=State-of-art autism center opens in upstate N.Y.|website=USA TODAY}}

The organization began as the New York Center for Autism, then changed its name to New York Collaborates for Autism in 2012. It has since changed its name to NEXT for AUTISM.{{Cite web|date=2017-10-27|title=Autism Benefit To Air On HBO|url=https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/10/27/autism-benefit-to-air-on-hbo/24353/|access-date=2021-01-23|website=Disability Scoop|language=en}}

In April 2021, Mark Rober and Jimmy Kimmel announced they would be hosting a live stream in support of NEXT for AUTISM.{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=2021-04-16|title=Jimmy Kimmel and Mark Rober to Host YouTube Livestream Event for Autism Awareness|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-mark-rober-youtube-autism-1234953387/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Variety|language=en-US}} As of May 1 that year, they had raised over $3 million.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-30|title=Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, Charlize Theron and More Help Raise $3M for Next for Autism|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jimmy-kimmel-conan-obrien-charlize-theron-next-for-autism-fundraiser|access-date=2021-05-01|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}

The organization has received criticism for its endorsement of Autism Speaks and applied behavior analysis.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-16 |title=Boycott Color the Spectrum, Finance the Spectrum Instead |url=https://crippledscholar.com/2021/04/20/boycott-color-the-spectrum-finance-the-spectrum-instead/ |access-date=2021-12-14 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Crichton |first=Maddie |date=2021-04-20 |title=Mark Rober Faces Backlash Over NEXT For Autism Fundraiser |url=https://roguerocket.com/2021/04/20/mark-rober-faces-backlash/ |access-date=2021-12-14 |language=en-US}}