CURE SYNGAP1 Blog Coordinator and Editor
Co-host of SYNGAP1-Stories Podcast
Jo Ashline is a college professor, teaching child development, special education, and disability-related courses while encouraging and guiding the next generation of educators, advocates, and service providers. She received her B.S. in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton, and her M.S. in Child Development from the University of La Verne. Prior to teaching at the college level, Jo taught both preschool and kindergarten.
As a writer, she’s chronicled her family’s life on various platforms, including a former special needs parenting column forThe Orange County Register and her blog, Joashline.com. Over the years, her work has been featured in local and national media. She continues to provide expertise as a speaker for organizations, employers, and advocacy groups on topics of inclusion, diversity, accessibility, equity, and accommodations for and within the disability community. She also serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Board for the UCLA Special Patient Care Clinic.
Jo resides in Orange County, California with her husband Michael and their two sons, Andrew (23), who was diagnosed with SYNGAP1-Related Disorders (SRD) at age 16, and Ian (21), who is studying biomedical engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature, taking walks with Dodger, the family’s golden retriever, reading, drinking coffee, and eating sushi. She’s also managed to keep a few plants alive for the last several years, which basically makes her a gardener.
Jo is proud to volunteer for the CURE SYNGAP1, where she writes, edits and coordinates content for the CURE SYNGAP1 blog and is co-host of SYNGAP1 Stories Podcast. Not long After Andrew was diagnosed in 2018, Jo and her family were put in touch with CURE SYNGAP1 (FKA SynGAP Research Fund), and are grateful for the support, community, friendships, and hope they continue to provide. Being part of this incredible organization has been a source of joy and community, providing connection and fellowship while navigating the complexities of raising a child with a rare genetic disease such as SYNGAP1-Related Disorders.
Read Andrew’s Warrior Story here.
Listen to Jo on SYNGAP1 Stories Podcast here.
Email: jo@cureSYNGAP1.org
Jo has written several blogs, including: