Our Team - Autism Center Austin

Supporters

We are very grateful to the companies that have supported us along our path so far. Without them, we would not have made such progress in our development. Our sponsors are a key part of our growth and have been significant in keeping us moving toward our goals. We always welcome companies who want want to make a positive change in childrens’ lives.

Partner With Us

Leadership Team

Polly TommeyFounder, The Autism Trust

Polly Tommey is the mother of Bella, Toby and Billy, her 20 year old son with autism. Polly is a leading autism advocate and activist and has appeared as a spokesperson for individuals and families living with autism. Polly has appeared in print and television media around the globe and has tirelessly initiated autism campaigns directed at political leaders and society in general to increase awareness of autism.

Concerned that current access to specialist autism service and facility provision (especially following educational years) remains insufficient Polly founded The Autism Trust charity in the UK in 2007 which has a facility in Berkshire and recently as a 501(c)3 non profit in Austin Texas that is currently building an inspirational center that will offer both residential and outpatient resources to individuals and families living with autism.

Polly co-authored her book “Autism- a practical guide to supporting your child’s quality of life” released by Piatkus in 2011.

Polly founded the Autism Media Channel (2010)that has produced over 60 videos for the European Sky

Information Channel and successful documentaries and films including “Who Killed Alex Spourdalakis

Jonathan TommeyDirector of Development

Jonathan Tommey is married to Polly and has three children, Bella, Billy (autistic) and Toby. Following Billys diagnosis Jonathan became an advocate for autism in the UK and completed a second degree in clinical nutrition to set up a nutritional clinic to support individuals with autism. He is co-author of Autism- A practical guide to improving your child’s quality of life by Piatkus publishers March 2011 and has provided multiple articles for the Autism File magazine (since it launched in August 1999 www.autismfile.com ). As a family, the Tommey’s moved from London in the UK to Austin Texas to set up The Autism Trust and he also co-founded his online nutraceutical and information company www.practitionerselect.com. He is currently the Director of Development at The Autism Trust.

Isabella YonAdministrative Director

I am extremely honored to be working for the Autism Trust USA. My brother Billy was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. After watching my brother grow and flourish and through the successes of my Give Autism a Chance campaign, I am fully aware of the incredible capabilities of people with autism. My primary mission is to create safe, purposeful and meaningful futures for people like my brother so that they truly get the chances they deserve.

Sheila Lewis EaleyBoard Member

Sheila Lewis Ealey was the former founder and director of the Creative Learning Center of Louisiana for 10 years. It was a small therapeutic day school for severe children on the autism spectrum and children diagnosed with other nonverbal intellectual disabilities beginning at age 8. She is the wife of a former United States Coast Guard Officer, spending more than 16 years of his 26 years of service traveling around the world supporting his love and duty to our country. She is also the mother of four children, three daughters and her son, Temple, who was diagnosed with severe autism disorder at 18 months. Temple is now 19 and considered moderate and emerging. Over the years, she has self-educated herself in the use of natural forms of healing the body and brain through diet, educational and therapeutic back and forth engagement and more importantly, a gamut of biomedical treatments. Her formal education includes a bachelor of arts in Mass Communication, a master’s of education in Curriculum and Instruction in special education grades K through 12 and she is currently working on a doctorate in Educational Leadership in special education grades K through 12. She is certified in Interactive Metronome, Fast Forward Reading Intervention and as a DIR Floortime Practitioner.

Laura ChollickBoard Member

Laura Chollick graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Science degree from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. She is a fourth generation Texan and was born and raised in Dallas. Laura has been married to her husband Rich for 25 years and they have a son Will who is 18 and has autism. Since his diagnosis Laura became a founding member of a local advocacy group with the goal of sharing resources and helping families who are going through the same thing. She looks forward to help create a safe and loving home for adults on the spectrum.

Staff & Volunteers

We actively search and welcome volunteer support on a regular basis. This may involve members of society wanting to help and support the development of strong partnerships with local organizations, businesses and individuals.

Volunteer opportunities offer ALL individuals an open door to get involved with us. This includes “on site” development , maintenance work land cultivation, horticulture and animal husbandry. It also involves the opportunity to working with individuals with autism, offering family support, managing volunteer groups, enhancing public relations, coordinating site tours, joining the management team and coordinating social and fundraising events.

The range of opportunities is vast and to get involved is not only supportive, rewarding and fun but provides a sense of achievement for all volunteers. We actively encourage and welcome individuals who want to get involved.