Our Mission
The mission of the Cope Center for Autism is to be a champion for children with autism by providing prompt medical evaluations, equipping families with knowledge and resources, and fostering an inclusive and accepting community.
We envision a future where all children with autism have access to comprehensive, individual support that empowers them to thrive as their true selves.
✓ Prompt medical evaluations
✓ Family Education
✓ accepting community
A NOTE FROM DR. COPE:
In my 25 years as a pediatric neurologist at Neurology Group of Bergen County, I have often wished I could do more to help children showing signs of autism.
Too often, parents must wait for a long time to see a medical professional for an autism evaluation. Long waitlists delay urgently needed services and cause unnecessary stress for families. I also know that many medical providers cannot accept Medicaid, limiting access to evaluation and diagnosis for far too many children.
For several years, I tried to mitigate these problems by seeing Medicaid patients on my weekly day off and in borrowed office space. When this “vacation-day practice” developed its own long waitlist, it became clear to me that I needed a bigger solution. And so, I created the Cope Center for Autism.
Cope Center for Autism, located at 579 Franklin Turnpike in Ridgewood, specializes in autism evaluations of children up to age 21. Our medical staff conducts the gold standard of autism testing – the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) evaluation. It’s a 60-90 minute exam, which results in a written report with an official diagnosis that parents can share with insurance companies and school districts.
If a child is diagnosed with autism, we follow up the exam with a complimentary consultation with a Parent Support Specialist. Our Parent Support Specialist will explain the diagnosis and guide parents about the options for therapy and school.
We accept all forms of New Jersey Medicaid. We expect to accept most major health insurance policies soon. In the meantime, families not covered by New Jersey Medicaid can pay $500 out of pocket for an evaluation.
Please keep us in mind for your patients who show signs of autism. Currently, we can schedule patients for appointments within one week. Parents can schedule an appointment by calling 551-380-4870 or visiting us at www.CopeCenterforAutism.org.
Non-Profit Mission
The Cope Center for Autism, located in Ridgewood, NJ, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We support children with autism by conducting medical evaluations, supporting and educating parents, and providing a welcoming after-school space.
Autism By the Numbers:
- One in 31 children nation-wide has autism, according to the CDC.
- One in 29 children in New Jersey has autism, according to Autism New Jersey.
- Mothers of adolescents with autism experience chronic stress comparable to combat soldiers and struggle with frequent fatigue and work interruptions. (Research)
At the Cope Center, we are improving the lives of children impacted by autism and their families.
- In the past year, nearly 700 children have been evaluated for autism or received follow-up care by the medical team at the Cope Center for Autism.
- In the past year, nearly 400 parents of children with autism have received guidance about therapy, school matters, and preparations for adulthood from the parent education team.
- We created an after-school space for teens with autism, including classes on yoga, art, Lego robotics, and computer programming.
- We created a unique system of support for families with a team approach between the medical and parent support teams.
- We offered IEP clinics and webinars to provide free education services for parents with autistic children.
In the future, we know that we’ll be able to help more families with our excellent care.
- We’ll provide even more amazing after-school programming for teens with autism.
- We’ll increase our evening programs for parents and members of the community.
- We’ll reach more families with autism evaluations and follow-ups.
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