About ACT Now Nevada

ACT Now Nevada, Inc. is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of families affected by Autism. Its mission is to provide consultative training, advocacy for parental rights, share financial and supportive resources, outline effective treatment plans, and guide families through IEP and IFSP planning. ACT Now Nevada will strive to set families on a pathway to find effective intervention, while emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.

Joan Shaffer is President and Co-Founder of ACT Now Nevada. She has resided in the Las Vegas area for over 10 years with her husband and son, who was diagnosed with Autism at four years old. Shaffer currently serves as the Walk Chair for the Autism Speaks' Las Vegas Community Leadership Committee, and was an original board member for Cure Autism Now.

Shaffer is a professional member of the American Association of Nutritional Consultants, and is working toward her Certified Nutritional Consulting status. She specializes in DAN (Defeat Autism Now!) protocol and actively practices Gluten Free Casein Free living in her home.

She also sits on the Sub-Committee for Transition, Employment and Community Inclusion for the Nevada Autism Task Force, and was PTO President for Helen J. Stewart Special Education School for three years. Her professional background includes training in advocacy and mediation, nutrition and health, and biomedical research.

Shaffer has worked with a multitude of organizations including, Partners in Policy Making, The Autism Society of America, The Autism Society of Oregon and People First in Oregon. She attended the University of Alaska in Anchorage where she studied business, finance and interior design.

Kristen McIntyre is Vice President and Co-Founder of ACT Now Nevada. She and her husband have resided in southern Nevada for 11 years, and learned of their son's Autism when he was diagnosed at 20 months old. McIntyre currently serves as the Public Relations and Marketing Chair for Autism Speaks' Las Vegas Community Leadership Committee.

McIntyre was also recently appointed to the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) as a parent representative, where she takes part in policy making and setting long term goals for Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS).


Her past work includes fundraising and volunteering for groups such a Court Appointed Special Advocates, Committee to Aid Abused Women and the Loma Linda University Medical Center. McIntyre holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in Public Relations and Marketing, and her professional background includes politics, gaming, marketing, event planning and business development.