Podcast Season 3 Episode 2: David Perecman and Kevin and Avonte’s Law

Today we’re revisiting the life of Avonte Oquendo, a nonverbal 14-year-old boy with autism who left his Queens public school undetected in 2013 and tragically drowned in the East River.

Elopement is a major cause of concern with many autism families, with  50% of individuals diagnosed with autism having the propensity to wander without notice.

Our guest today is David Perecman , who was the Lead Trial Lawyer in representing Avonte’s mother, Vanessa Fontaine, in a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of her son and assisted in efforts to pass Kevin and Avonte’s Law, legislation aimed to make schools safer for special needs students.

Listen in as we discuss Avonte’s legacy, the law itself, and more…



For more information regarding the Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship program and the full application form, please visit perecman.com/avonte-oquendo/autism-scholarship.  Submission deadline is Friday, July 31, 2020, at 11:59 pm EST. Winners will be notified in August 2020 (by David Perceman’s Office).

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A Special Thank you to the following top supports for this weeks episode:

1. John A.
2. Darryl M.
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Joel Manzer

Husband to an Amazing Wife, and Father of a Child with Autism. Founding Lead Editor of this site called Autisable. Click here to join Autisable!