When a Year Is Too Long: NJ Nonprofit Cuts Autism Wait Times

The Uncommon Thread

Across New Jersey, many families wait 9–12 months for an autism diagnostic evaluation, delaying access to therapy during the most critical years of early childhood development. A New Jersey nonprofit, The Uncommon Thread, is working to change that. For nearly 20 years, the organization has supported children with autism and their families. Now it has launched a coordinated 30-Day Pathway designed to move families from initial concern to diagnostic evaluation and evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in approximately one month whenever possible. This streamlined process supports families, pediatricians, schools, and diagnosing specialists by reducing delays and improving coordination of care. The organization leverages its extensive network of partnering specialists throughout NJ to help secure timely diagnostic evaluations and accelerate access to treatment. The nonprofit is also advancing earlier identification by leveraging EarliPoint, an FDA-cleared eye-tracking diagnostic tool that can detect autism risk as early as 16 months of age with about 90% accuracy. The Uncommon Thread provides early intervention services for children ages 1–5, when therapy can have the greatest impact on language, communication, and long-term developmental outcomes. “The system was never designed to move quickly enough for young children with autism,” said Greg Carr, Founder and Executive Director of The Uncommon Thread. “When families are told to wait six months, nine months, or even a year, that is a time in a child's development they cannot get back. We created the 30-Day Pathway because children cannot afford delays. The earlier we identify and intervene, the greater the opportunity to change the course of a child’s life.” As Autism Awareness Month approaches, the organization hopes to raise awareness about the importance of early identification and timely intervention. For more information contact: earlyanswers@theuncommonthread.org or 908-604-4500.

Union County

New York City Metropolitan Area

New Providence-Berkeley Heights

New Jersey

Across New Jersey, many families wait 9–12 months for an autism diagnostic evaluation, delaying access to therapy during the most critical years of...

PSE&G

Public Service Electric &amp; Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation’s largest utilities. PSE&amp;G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 24 consecutive years. In 2025, for the fourth consecutive year, J.D. Power named PSE&amp;G number one in customer satisfaction for residential electric service in the East among large utilities.  PSE&amp;G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 17 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).

Somerset County

Alexis Tarrazi

Bridgewater

Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation’s...

Your one stop outdoor company. From grass to pavers.

Lawn-Gevity Landscaping 

Full service lawn care company, in business since 1994.  We do it all lawn care, sprinkler installation and repair, landscape lighting, planting, masonry, pavers, and snow removal.  From design to installation and maintenance.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood

Full service lawn care company, in business since 1994. We do it all lawn care, sprinkler installation and repair, landscape lighting, planting,...

Serving Morris, Somerset, Union, and Essex counties

Picatinny Federal Credit Union

Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial partner for individuals and their families who live, work, worship, or learn in Morris, Somerset, Union, and Essex counties. For 85+ years, we’ve been dedicated to helping our members and community thrive. We support members like family and help them navigate financial needs through all stages of life. Since our founding, we’ve reinvested our profits and passed them along to our members, not shareholders. Member-owned and led translates to lower fees, higher savings rates, more conveniences, and better loan terms. Our more than 19,000 members have access to five branch locations, 55,000 fee-free ATMs, and robust 24/7 online banking. Picatinny Federal Credit Union is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial partner for individuals and their families who live, work, worship, or learn in Morris,...

Transforming New Jersey Backyards Into Private Oases

The Pool Boss

Based in Wayne, New Jersey, The Pool Boss is an award-winning design and construction firm recognized as one of the "world’s greatest" pool companies and a premier builder in New Jersey. Specializing in rapid, high-quality installations and custom backyard transformations, the company offers elite amenities including fire pits, landscaping, hardscaping, water features, and outdoor kitchens. As an owner-operated company, The Pool Boss is led by founder and CEO Christopher Argenziano, whose hands-on approach ensures accountability and precision for every project. Built on the philosophy that a five-star experience is created by people rather than just plans, The Pool Boss provides bespoke designs tailored to the unique vision and needs of every family. 

Basking Ridge

Based in Wayne, New Jersey, The Pool Boss is an award-winning design and construction firm recognized as one of the "world’s greatest" pool...

 Springfield Collectibles

We specialize in selling collectibles, electronics and household items on trusted online marketplaces. With over 8 years of experience, we handle the entire selling process, from listing to delivery, so you don’t have to. Once your items are sold, you get paid. Our goal is to maximize value and get you the best possible return for your items. Turn your items collecting dust into Income with sellers you can trust. 

Summit

We specialize in selling collectibles, electronics and household items on trusted online marketplaces. With over 8 years of experience, we handle...

A patient-centered plastic surgery practice

Somerset Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Matthew Clott’s Somerset Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery (now a member of the prestigious Atlantic Health Partners division of Atlantic Healthcare) is a patient-centered plastic surgery practice that offers a variety of aesthetic enhancements, including Breast Reduction, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lifts, Tummy Tucks, Liposuction and Eyelid Lifts. Dr. Clott is also skilled at reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, excision and reconstruction of skin cancers, traumatic plastic surgery and all hand surgery. His extensive hand surgery experience allows him to comfortably manage complex hand trauma, carpal tunnels, trigger fingers, Dequervaines disease, Dupytrene’s hand contractures and most other hand related issues (bone, nerve, tendon, soft tissue). Dr. Clott pride’s himself on an incredible personal experience and attention to detail, giving each patient the time they need to understand the issue and make a safe and effective plan of care.

Warren

Dr. Matthew Clott’s Somerset Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery (now a member of the prestigious Atlantic Health Partners division of Atlantic...

<ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=robert-e-mcleester&amp;pid=168174778&amp;fhid=17032" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robert E. McLeester, 86, Westfield, Nov. 22</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=katherine-maguire&amp;pid=168141478&amp;fhid=17060" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Katherine Maguire, 71, Scotch Plains, Nov. 21</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=louis-j-madonna&amp;pid=168081929&amp;fhid=27028" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">L</a><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=louis-j-madonna&amp;pid=168081929&amp;fhid=27028" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ouis J. Madonna, Sr., 84, New Providence, Nov. 17</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=leonard-semel&amp;pid=168286993&amp;fhid=12153" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leonard Semel, 84, formerly of Springfield, Nov. 29</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=geraldine-m-banda-geri&amp;pid=168286942&amp;fhid=17078" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Geraldine M.</a><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=geraldine-m-banda-geri&amp;pid=168286942&amp;fhid=17078" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> "</a><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=geraldine-m-banda-geri&amp;pid=168286942&amp;fhid=17078" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Geri</a><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=geraldine-m-banda-geri&amp;pid=168286942&amp;fhid=17078" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">" </a><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=geraldine-m-banda-geri&amp;pid=168286942&amp;fhid=17078" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Banda, Cranford, Nov. 22</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=larry-r-hutchinson&amp;pid=168130639&amp;fhid=27074" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Larry R. Hutchinson, 60, Clark, Nov. 18</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=nicholas-a-carpinelli&amp;pid=168093267&amp;fhid=27025" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicholas A. Carpinelli Sr., 91, Summit, Nov. 17</a></li></ul>

Lifelong New Providence Resident Louis J. Madonna Sr. Dies at 84

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Temple Sinai

JFSCNJ Grief Support Group to Begin
April 30th at Temple Sinai in Summit
Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, (JFSCNJ) and Temple Sinai, will be holding a five - week “Grief Support Group” on Thursdays, from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
The five-session group starts April 30th and is open to widows/widowers 55+. Dates for the group are: April 30th, May 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. The group will take place at Temple Sinai, 208 Summit Avenue Summit, NJ. Ample parking is available.
The support group will be facilitated by Nancy Rosenthal, LCSW, JFSCNJ Therapist, and will explore how grief for the loss of a spouse or partner, impacts our daily life. According to Ms. Rosenthal, “The group will provide a safe environment to share feelings and gain support while learning to cope with the loss of a spouse or partner.”
The program is open to the public at no charge to attend, but pre- registration is required. Kindly register with Nancy Rosenthal, LCSW, nrosenthal@jfscentralnj.org, or call (908) 352-8375. Ext. 309.

Local Event: JFSCNJ Grief Support Group

JFSCNJ Grief Support Group

JFSCNJ Grief Support Group to Begin
April 30th at Temple Sinai in Summit
Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, (JFSCNJ) and...

Union County Celtic Festival Returns to Clark on May 2 The Union County Celtic Festival, “a celebration of music, heritage and community” will be held in Clark on May 2.The festival, which will be held at the Deutscher Club, will run from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.Event organizers say the festival will “offer something for everyone, whether you have deep Celtic roots or simply love the rich traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and beyond.”The festival will feature Celtic musical performances by Callán, Ryan McCombe, and Nick Conte.Visitors can explore the heart of Celtic heritage with craft vendors and traditional dancing.There will be a dedicated children’s area and food will be available for purchase. The festival’s beer garden will provide “a spot to relax, enjoy a cold drink, and soak in the sounds of traditional and contemporary Celtic tunes while celebrating the enduring legacy of Celtic culture.”To purchase tickets to the event, which will be held rain or shine,&nbsp;please visit this link:https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-union-county-celtic-festivalThe Deutscher Club is located at 787 Featherbed Lane.

Local Event: Union County Celtic Festival

Union County Celtic Festival

Union County Celtic Festival Returns to Clark on May 2 The Union County Celtic Festival, “a celebration of music, heritage and...

The Presbyterian Church in Westfield

Choral Art Society of New Jersey is busy preparing the second concert of its 2025–2026 season. The concert, The Mestre: History’s Classical Bridge from Rio to Vienna, explores musical connections between the familiar Austrian composers, Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), and the lesser-known Brazilian composer, José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767–1830). The concert will take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield (140 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ).&nbsp;
The concert repertoire includes Nunes Garcia’s Requiem, Haydn’s Kleine Orgelmesse (Little Organ Mass), and excerpts from two of Mozart’s operas, Così fan tutte and Die Zauberflöte.&nbsp;
Nunes Garcia, born in Rio de Janeiro to Afro-Brazilian parents, studied music from an early age. He was ordained a priest in 1792 and served as organist, conductor, composer, and music teacher at the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral. In 1816, he composed Requiem for the funeral of the Portuguese Queen Maria I, who died in Brazil after fleeing the Napoleonic invasion of her country. The composition is regarded as the most prominent requiem from the Americas and, while greatly influenced by Mozart’s Requiem, it is innovative and prolific in its own right.
Haydn’s Kleine Orgelmesse, composed circa 1775, is an intimate setting of the Mass, evoking the small chapel in Eisenstadt, Austria, where Haydn worked at the time. The chapel could only accommodate a small organ, a few string players, and a small chorus. The composition is also short in length, bowing to the desire of the nobility to spend less time in church. To ensure all parts of the Mass were covered, some movements require the chorus to sing different words simultaneously, a technique known as “telescoping.”
Mozart’s Così fan tutte, a comic opera composed with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, premiered in 1790 in Vienna. The title translates to “So Do They All” but is sometimes referred to as “Women Are Like That.” The music, characteristic of Mozart’s later style, is complex and has great depth of feeling. Die Zauberflöte, or The Magic Flute, composed with librettist Emanuel Schikaneder, premiered in 1791 shortly before Mozart’s death. Inspired by the folk music of the time, the score expertly reflects the personalities of the opera’s main characters.&nbsp;
The May concert will be conducted by Choral Art Society of NJ’s music director, Seth Velez, and will feature the group’s accompanist, Carol Walker. The soprano soloist will be Choral Art Society of NJ’s own Linda Jo Smargiassi. She will be joined by mezzo soprano Mary Pat Finucane, tenor Kevin Ray, and bass George Baolin. A full orchestra will accompany the performance.
General Admission tickets are $35. A discounted ticket price of $30 is offered to seniors (65 and older) and students (18 and older) if purchased in advance of concert day. Youth under 18, Families First cardholders, and WIC recipients are admitted free. To purchase advance tickets for the May 3rd concert, visit <a href="https://www.casofnj.org/ticket" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.casofnj.org/ticket</a>.
Choral Art Society of New Jersey originated as The Suburban Symphony Chorus in 1962. Dedicated to the study and performance of the great choral masterpieces, the chorus performs works spanning many centuries and styles. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members, with a variety of training and experience levels, share a common joy in singing and community. Visit <a href="https://www.casofnj.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.casofnj.org</a> for more information about the group or to donate.
This concert is made possible in part by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural &amp; Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Local Event: Choral Art Society Concert - The Mestre: History's Classical Bridge from Rio to Vienna

Choral Art Society Concert - The Mestre:...

Choral Art Society of New Jersey is busy preparing the second concert of its 2025–2026 season. The concert, The Mestre:...

Choral Art Society Concert - The Mestre: History's Classical Bridge from Rio to Vienna

Galeria The Art Venue, 111 Quimby St, Westfield, NJ, 07090

We are pleased to invite you to the opening of&nbsp;Phoenix Rising – From silence, a new voice, a solo exhibition by Darío Scholis on May 9.
Darío is a distinctive artist who transforms everyday life into vivid and poetic visual narratives, expressed with remarkable sensitivity and depth. This exhibition brings together a refined selection of works that reflect more than 25 years of sustained creative practice and artistic exploration.
The evening will include light appetizers, good music, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, an ideal space to gather, connect, and celebrate artistic talent together.
We would be delighted to welcome you.

Local Event: You're Invited! Opening Reception for the Art of Darío Scholis

You're Invited! Opening Reception for the Art...

We are pleased to invite you to the opening of Phoenix Rising – From silence, a new voice, a solo exhibition by Darío Scholis...

You're Invited! Opening Reception for the Art of Darío Scholis

The Madison Hotel Morristown, NJ

Join the Center for Hope Hospice &amp; Palliative Care for their 3rd annual Monte Carlo Casino Night!&nbsp; We have an exciting night planned...but it won't be the same without you there!&nbsp; All proceeds benefit the patients and families of the Center for Hope!&nbsp; Join us for delicious food, an open bar, your favorite casino games, and some amazing prizes!

Local Event: Monte Carlo Casino Night

Monte Carlo Casino Night

Join the Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care for their 3rd annual Monte Carlo Casino Night!  We have an exciting night...

Ocean County

Barnegat-Manahawkin

Suspended Superintendent's Spouse Threatened NJ...

The man wrote the names of two school officials on bullets, according to reports.

Suspended Superintendent's Spouse Threatened NJ School Officials, Etched Their Names On Bullets, Reports Say

Crime & Safety

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Lawrenceville

NJ ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Hopes Historic Run Shows...

The Lawrence Township native said he hopes his winning streak showed immigrants "in a positive light."

NJ ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Hopes Historic Run Shows Immigrants In Positive Light, Report Says

Politics & Government

Newark

Sherrill’s First 100 Days As NJ Governor: Here...

Budget battles. Nuclear power. Property taxes. Immigration. Here’s what Mikie Sherrill has been up to since taking over as governor.

Sherrill’s First 100 Days As NJ Governor: Here’s What She Has Done So Far

Across New Jersey

6 NJ Jobs Threatened By AI (And 4 That Are Safe)

Data shows some industries are booming while others struggle under automation pressure. 

Business

NJ Sheriff's Officer Dies In I-78 Motorcycle...

The 28-year-old had "an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the community," the Union County sheriff said. 

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Obituaries

Lifelong New Providence Resident Louis J. Madonna Sr. Dies at 84

Recent obituaries in Union County.

Deborah Bell, Patch Staff

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JFSCNJ Grief Support Group

Union County Celtic Festival

Choral Art Society Concert - The Mestre: History's Classical Bridge from Rio to Vienna

You're Invited! Opening Reception for the Art of Darío Scholis

Monte Carlo Casino Night

PSE&G

Lawn-Gevity Landscaping

Picatinny Federal Credit Union

The Uncommon Thread

The Pool Boss

Springfield Collectibles

Somerset Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Lifelong New Providence Resident Louis J. Madonna Sr. Dies at 84

Recent obituaries in Union County.

Deborah Bell, Patch Staff<img alt="Verified Patch Staff Badge" class="styles_Badge__np_hU" src="https://patch.com/img/cdn/assets/layout/badges/verified-patch-staff.svg"/>

Deborah Bell, Patch Staff