I recently volunteered at the Autism NJ annual conference. In NJ, autism has a significant impact on families and has far-reaching implications for the future of individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The incidence of autism in this state is higher than the national average. Autism NJ (formerly known as COSAC - Center for Outreach and Service to the Autism Community) has sponsored the conference for the past 30 years. The conference offers continuing education credits for the professionals who regularly work with these children (e.g., teachers, social workers, speech therapists, behavior analysts), and also provides instructional workshops for parents of these children to address their concerns and assist in planning for their future. The amount of work that goes into planning, preparing, organizing and executing this event is extraordinary, and is carried out by a very small number of paid staff. Conference volunteers donate their time to perform the hundreds of seemingly small tasks (registration. class monitoring, etc) that make the two day event run smoothly. The annual conference is a major accomplishment, but on a day-to-day basis Autism NJ still provides "Outreach and Service to the Autism Community." Parents who are faced with their child's initial diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder may feel alone and unsure of where to turn for help. Autism NJ is often their first resource for much needed assistance. Kudos to this organization for its support and dedication to the families and individuals whose lives are affected by autism.