Meet Marta Chmielowicz
Our team. Our stories.
Marta Chmielowicz
Manager of Science Communications and Public Relations
My brother Adam inspires me to do the work I do every day at Autism Speaks.
My brother Adam inspires me to do the work I do every day at Autism Speaks. One of the main responsibilities in my job as Manager of Science Communications and PR is to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, accessible information for the autism community. In the process, I’ve learned so much about Adam’s autism. In a way, my work has helped me better understand my own family’s journey too.
Growing up in an immigrant family, I have always been a large part of Adam’s support system. Our extended family lives in Poland, so it’s just me, my mom, my dad and Adam here in the States. I’ve watched my mom fight tooth and nail for Adam throughout his entire life. She has had to fight for every program, service or therapy he has ever received—without knowing the system or having any kind of roadmap to guide her. That’s on top of managing his everyday care. That’s a lot to carry alone.
Seeing my mom navigate that maze without a guide made me want to be part of the solution. I know this isn’t just our story—it’s an everyday reality for countless families. There is such a tremendous need in this community—for services, for support, for understanding. I hope that through my work at Autism Speaks, I can make this journey even a tiny bit easier for other families.
Learn more about Marta in this Q&A:
What is a challenge that often occupies your thoughts and how has it shaped your perspective or approach in life and work?
Adam is in his mid-30s now. As we grow older, my main concern is the same thing I hear from so many other families: what’s going to happen in the future? Currently, he lives with my parents and attends a day program, but what happens as they age? We are only two years apart, so how will I care for him when they’re gone, especially as I grow older too?
I want Adam to have a fulfilling and vibrant life, but it’s hard to know what that might look like for him. He loves Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, the Muppets and his Legos, but he cannot communicate what he envisions for his future, outside of those simple everyday joys.
There are so few services for autistic adults, and the services that do exist are often stretched thin or falling short. It feels like families are left to shoulder the burden of a system that is inadequately funded, services that are inadequately staffed. And because Adam is so vulnerable, there is always a fear in the back of my mind about his safety and well-being.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite thing about this job is connecting with the advocates, service providers and researchers on the ground who are making a difference in their communities. So many of these people are working against the odds, building our knowledge base and introducing programs and services in areas that have very few resources. They see a gap and they fill it. Their resilience and tenacity are deeply inspiring to me.
What is one hope you hold close to your heart for autistic people and how do you pursue this in your daily life and work?
I hope that we can overcome the stigma that autistic people face in our society. Imagine having to hide or suppress differences that are core to who you are. That would be hugely damaging for your emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and it’s something that autistic people have to do every day.
In my work, I see that stigma often grows out of lack of knowledge. When people don’t understand autism, they fall back on stereotypes. By sharing clear, practical information and real stories from the community, I can help people challenge their assumptions about autism.
What is something you want the world to know about the autistic community?
I want the world to recognize the huge diversity of the spectrum and understand that all of our struggles are interconnected. Our community is so fragmented, and people are often dismissive of each other’s experiences and perspectives because they do not align with their own.
I hope that we can begin to mend this rift because regardless of whether you are autistic or a caregiver, regardless of the level of support you or your loved one need, we are all fighting the same fight. We all want dignity, care and respect for our loved ones. We all want autistic people to be accepted and find their place in the world. And most importantly, we’re all doing our best to make that happen in our own way.
What can Autism Speaks do to continue to help autistic people to “Redefine Possible?”
I hope Autism Speaks continues to prioritize research into autism and aging. We know almost nothing about how autistic people experience aging, dementia or other later-life health challenges—and through this work, I’m seeing that even in the most supportive environments, there are major gaps in care. Expanding our knowledge is crucial so that autistic adults can get the support and care they need as they get older.
I also hope that we continue to champion and expand access to adult services for people with higher support needs like Adam. Families like mine are searching for programs that have stable funding, enough trained staff and a real commitment to the people they serve. The demand is overwhelming, and there simply aren’t enough programs to go around.
If we can close these gaps, strengthen community-based services and continue empowering people doing this work on the ground, we can make a real difference for our community.
