Lise Menard Smith

Autism Advocate, Speaker & Mother of Love on the Spectrum – U.S. Star Connor Tomlinson

Lise Menard Smith

Autism Advocate, Speaker & Mother of Love on the Spectrum – U.S. Star Connor Tomlinson

Add to List Availability & Fees

Biography

Lise Menard Smith is an autism advocate, speaker, and mother of Connor Tomlinson, a breakout star of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum – U.S. Drawing from both professional experience and more than two decades of parenting and advocating for a son on the autism spectrum, Lise brings a deeply personal and practical perspective to conversations about autism, neurodiversity, parenting, inclusion, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Lise’s connection to the autism community began long before Connor’s diagnosis. Early in her career, she worked at The New England Center for Children (NECC), teaching preschool-aged children with autism. She later continued working with children on the spectrum through home-based therapy. Those experiences gave her an understanding of autism that would become invaluable when, at just 18 months old, Connor began displaying behaviors that concerned her.

Despite early reassurances that Connor was developing typically, Lise trusted her instincts and continued advocating for answers. Connor was ultimately diagnosed with autism at age five. From that point forward, Lise focused on helping him access the support, education, and opportunities he needed to thrive.

Years later, Connor’s journey took an unexpected turn when he was cast in the second season of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum – U.S. His search for love, humor, authenticity, and close relationship with his family resonated with viewers around the world. For Lise, the experience also opened the door to a much larger conversation about adulthood, relationships, independence, employment, and what a fulfilling life can look like for people on the spectrum.

Today, Lise and her family use their growing platform to champion autism acceptance and expand expectations for neurodivergent individuals. They are working toward creating opportunities that help people on the spectrum pursue meaningful careers aligned with their individual strengths, talents, and interests. She is particularly passionate about challenging assumptions about what people with autism can achieve and encouraging families, educators, employers, and communities to recognize possibility rather than limitation.

Professionally, Lise has also built a successful career in sales, where the communication and relationship-building skills she developed while working with children and families have continued to shape her approach. Her experiences across education, parenting, advocacy, and business give her a distinctive perspective on human connection, resilience, and the importance of truly seeing and listening to others.

Through warmth, humor, and candor, Lise shares the lessons she has learned from raising Connor—from trusting her instincts when others weren't listening to embracing the unexpected opportunities that followed. Her story reminds audiences that inclusion is about more than acceptance; it is about giving people the opportunity to be seen for who they are, develop their strengths, build meaningful relationships, and contribute in ways that give their lives purpose.

Speech Topics

The Importance of Representation

Seeing yourself reflected in the world around you can shape what you believe is possible. Drawing on her family’s experience in the public eye, Lise Menard Smith explores why authentic representation of neurodivergent individuals matters in media, culture, and everyday life. Lise examines how visibility can challenge misconceptions, create greater understanding, and help people feel less isolated in their experiences. She also reflects on the responsibility that comes with telling these stories thoughtfully and resisting portrayals that reduce people to stereotypes. This heartfelt keynote offers a powerful reminder that representation is not simply about being seen, but about being understood with greater honesty and humanity.

Audiences will learn:

Why authentic representation can shape belonging and self-perception
How visibility can challenge misconceptions about neurodivergence
Why thoughtful storytelling can help build greater understanding and inclusion

Parenting a Neurodivergent Child

Parenting a neurodivergent child often means learning to see the world through a different lens. Drawing from her own experience raising her son Connor, Lise Menard Smith shares an honest and deeply personal perspective on the joys, challenges, and growth that can come with understanding a child’s unique needs. Lise reflects on the importance of listening closely, letting go of expectations that may not fit, and recognizing strengths that can be overlooked when the focus stays only on difficulty. She encourages parents to resist comparison and instead build the kind of support that helps their child feel understood, confident, and capable. This heartfelt keynote offers reassurance, perspective, and a more compassionate way to think about what it means to help a neurodivergent child thrive.

Audiences will learn:

How to better understand and support a neurodivergent child’s individual needs
Why letting go of comparison can strengthen the parent-child relationship
How to focus on strengths while creating conditions for confidence and growth

From Childhood to Adulthood: Supporting the Journey Toward Independence

Independence looks different for every person, and the path toward it is rarely linear. Drawing from her family’s experience, Lise Menard Smith explores what it means to support a neurodivergent child as they grow, develop confidence, and begin building an adult life on their own terms. Lise reflects on the evolving role of parents and caregivers, from making early decisions around schooling and therapeutic support to knowing when to step in, step back, and create space for greater autonomy. She also examines how families can recognize opportunities for growth without imposing a single definition of success. This heartfelt keynote offers a practical and hopeful perspective on helping neurodivergent individuals build lives that are meaningful, fulfilling, and increasingly independent.

Audiences will learn:

How support can evolve as a neurodivergent child moves toward adulthood
Ways to encourage confidence and independence without losing needed support
How families can work with schools, therapists, and other resources to help create meaningful opportunities for growth

The Power of Belonging and Inclusion

Belonging begins when people feel they are valued for who they are, not simply accommodated because they are different. Drawing from her family’s experiences, Lise Menard Smith explores what it takes to create environments where neurodivergent individuals feel seen, respected, and included in meaningful ways. Lise reflects on the role families, schools, workplaces, and communities can play in removing barriers while creating opportunities for participation, connection, and growth. She also challenges audiences to think beyond access alone and consider whether people truly feel welcomed and supported once they are in the room. This heartfelt keynote offers a practical and hopeful perspective on how everyday choices can help build stronger communities where more people have the opportunity to thrive.

Audiences will learn:

Why belonging requires more than access or accommodation
How families and institutions can create more inclusive environments
What meaningful participation can look like for neurodivergent individuals

Parenting With Purpose: Advocating for Your Child

Advocating for a child begins with understanding what they need and having the confidence to speak up when those needs are not being met. Drawing from her own experience as a parent and advocate, Lise Menard Smith shares what she has learned about navigating schools, services, healthcare, and other systems while keeping her child’s voice at the center. Lise explores the importance of listening closely, asking the right questions, finding trustworthy resources, and building a support network that can help a family move forward with greater clarity. She also reflects on the balance between advocating on a child’s behalf and helping them develop the confidence to advocate for themselves over time. This practical and heartfelt keynote encourages parents to become informed, persistent partners in creating the conditions their children need to thrive.

Audiences will learn: