Wendy Ross

Wendy Ross is an American developmental pediatrician and clinical professor. She is the director of Jefferson Health’s Center for Autism and Neurodiversity (JeffCAN) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ross’s clinical work focuses on supporting children with developmental differences by integrating medical, educational, and therapeutic plans. Through JeffCAN, she develops programs for neurodivergent individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, across the lifespan. Her work addresses healthcare accessibility and community inclusion for neurodiverse populations.

Ross has collaborated with Philadelphia sports teams to create inclusive game-day experiences for neurodivergent fans. She also helped establish programs to make air travel more accessible for individuals with autism and related conditions, which informed policies at the U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security. In 2014, Ross was recognized as a Top 10 CNN Hero for her efforts to improve inclusion in sports and travel. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she contributed to research on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which influenced guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Education Ross completed her undergraduate studies at Brandeis University. She attended the Humanities and Medicine Program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, graduating in 1997. She then completed a fellowship in behavioral pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital in 2002. In 2011, Ross founded Autism Inclusion Resources (AIR), an organization focused on improving accessibility and inclusion for individuals with autism.

Awards and recognition In 2014, Ross was named a CNN Hero for her work supporting children with autism and their families. In 2018, the Philadelphia City Council honored Ross during Autism Awareness Month. Ross graduated from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Personal life Ross married Michael Ross on June 8, 1997. She is the mother of two sons.