Meridith Pettigrew serves as Executive Director of Autism Community Training, bringing more than 25 years of experience in special education, behavioral support, program leadership, and services for individuals with disabilities.
Throughout her career, Meridith has worked with individuals with autism and significant support needs in a wide range of settings. Her experience includes classroom teaching, behavior intervention and consultation, residential autism programming, and school administration. She previously served for six years as an Assistant Principal in a specialized school serving students with emotional and behavioral needs.
Meridith holds a Master’s degree in Education and has spent much of her career developing programs, supporting staff, and creating environments where individuals are understood as individuals, not defined by a diagnosis or a behavior.
As Executive Director, Meridith is leading ACT into its next chapter: expanding the organization’s focus beyond traditional vocational training to address the broader needs of adults with autism. Under her leadership, ACT is strengthening its emphasis on daily living skills, communication, community participation, meaningful volunteer experiences, leisure and wellness, and greater independence.
A Vision for ACT
Meridith’s vision is for ACT to become a leading resource in Middle Tennessee for adults with autism and their families, a place where individualized support does not end when school services do and where adults with greater support needs have opportunities to continue learning, participating, connecting, and building independence throughout adulthood.