Whitney Ellenby, JD
Whitney Ellenby is a former US DOJ Disability Rights Attorney, author of the nonfiction book, Autism Uncensored: Pulling Back the Curtain (2018), and proud mother of a 23-year-old son with profound autism. She's contributed to numerous media outlets including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Newsweek, and PBS News.
Years ago when she was feeling isolated and judged for her son's disruptive behaviors in public, she founded "Autism Ambassadors," a venture through which she's run exclusive recreational events for 15 years for over 1,000 families in the DMV area.
Whitney earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government from University of Michigan and her Doctor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center.
She was recognized as Local Hero by Congressman Jamie Raskin. She has been honored with an “Autism Awareness Proclamation” and a “Community Leader” award for her advocacy and dedication to the disability community in Maryland.
Whitney has spent the last 20 years contemplating the metrics of a quality life for those who don’t have skills commensurate with the vast majority of the population, and recently gave a TEDx talk in DC to share one solution.
Winner, Gold Medal, New Nonfiction, National Indie Excellence Awards (2019)
Winner, Gold Medal, Nonfiction Authors Association (2019)
Winner, Gold Medal, Parenting, Independent Publisher Book Awards (2019)
Winner, Silver Medal, Parenting, Nautilus Book Awards (2019)
Winner, First Place, Parenting, Royal Dragonfly Book Awards (2019)
Winner, First Place, Special Needs/Disability Awareness, Royal Dragonfly Book Awards (2019)
Narrative Non-Fiction Shortlist for the 2019 Chanticleer International Book Awards (2019)