Founders — Lowcountry Autism Foundation

Tripp Ritchie, Co-Founder, President Emeritus

Tripp served 25 years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, 10 years in leadership positions as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and 21 years as a volunteer with Special Olympics. In 1995, Tripp received the "Jefferson Award" from the American Institute for Public Service, at the United States Supreme Court for his work with low income, minority citizens with intellectual disabilities. Tripp earned his BA in Psychology from Eastern Washington University and MS in Logistics Management from Florida Tech. “The energy and generosity of a single human being can move hundreds to reach out and touch the hearts of thousands.”

Tami Lawrence Buck, Ph.D., OTR/L

Undergraduate Education: Humanistic Studies from McGill University Masters Education: M.S.O.T. from Virginia Commonwealth University Doctorate: Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Lawrence is an occupational therapist with nearly 20 years of experience working with children in various settings with diverse diagnoses. She has worked as adjunct faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and is currently the Director of Hilton Head Pediatric Therapy Center. “Every day we are learning more about ASD. All children have untapped potential, and I want to help them discover that.”