Shelly McLaughlin

Shelly McLaughlin is a Program Director at Pathfinders for Autism, where she has led the organization’s safety and training initiatives since 2008. With 29 years of experience in the developmental disability field and as the parent of a son with autism, she brings both deep professional expertise and personal insight to her work.

Shelly is recognized for her leadership in developing and delivering Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) training for first responders and public safety professionals. She has trained the Maryland State Police, multiple county police and sheriff’s departments, Homeland Security, NYPD, the U.S. Secret Service, WV State Police, York PA Police, fire and EMS departments, corrections officers, and many other agencies committed to improving outcomes for individuals with IDD.

A certified police instructor, Shelly designs programs rooted in best practices, practical communication strategies, and real-world scenarios. She also creates trainings for individuals with IDD on community safety and police interactions, as well as for families on wandering and elopement prevention.

One of her signature achievements is the What To Do During a Traffic Stop program and its highly popular mock traffic stop events. She has authored numerous PFA Tips articles, several of which have appeared in national publications including Chicago Special Parent Magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine.

Before joining Pathfinders for Autism, Shelly worked as a direct support professional while completing graduate school in Colorado, later holding roles in marketing with Johns Hopkins Healthcare and with an international disability-focused organization. Her expertise has earned appointments to the Department of Justice Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Workgroup and the Governor’s Interagency Transition Council, as well as honors including a Maryland Governor’s Citation and The Arc of Maryland’s Professional of the Year Award.