Suffolk County honors Deer Park woman for her autism advocacy

A Deer Park woman’s dedication to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities has earned her the title of Suffolk County’s 2026 Woman of Distinction.

Terri Nelson-Morolla, 58, became involved in autism advocacy after her son, Anthony, was diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental condition at the age of 2 in 2005. Since then, her fundraising has ranged from planning a gala two years ago that featured more than 300 raffle baskets and netted nearly $20,000 to captaining a 30-person team that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for autism awareness through an annual 5k run hosted by the nonprofit Autism Speaks.

She was honored last month as the 2026 Suffolk County Woman of Distinction. She was first named an honoree for Suffolk County’s 17th Legislative District before being chosen as the county-wide “Woman of Distinction” by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Committee and receiving a proclamation.

“I think it’s in my blood,” Nelson-Morolla said of her love of volunteering. “I’m sure if my son wasn’t diagnosed I wouldn’t be where I am, but my community has always been very important to me.”

Her contributions to the community include collaborating with the Town of Babylon last year to create dedicated weekly hours for neurodiverse families to use Geiger Spray Park in Deer Park. She was also “instrumental” in helping the town to secure a $1 million grant two years ago from the state for an inclusive playground at Babylon Town Hall Park that is to be constructed and opened later this year, according to Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer.

Nelson-Morolla has also served as fundraiser chairwoman for the Deer Park School District’s Special Education Parent Faculty Club, and she helped with last year’s Long Island Best Buddies Friendship Ball. Best Buddies is a club that pairs general and special education students for one-to-one friendships.

One of Nelson-Morolla’s most recent efforts was cochairing the Deer Park Historical Association’s “Trunk or Treat” event, in which community members passed out candy to children from their car trunks — considered a safer alternative to trick-or-treating.

“I always try to do one good deed a day,” saidNelson-Morolla, who works as a sales and customer service representative for Island Air Heating & Cooling.

“Terri selflessly found purpose in her son’s diagnosis, transforming a life-changing moment into a lifelong mission of caring and advocacy,” Suffolk County Legis. Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) said in a statement.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.