About Us
Who We Are
At RiseNow Autism Innovations, we are a compassionate team driven by a heartfelt mission to uplift families affected by autism. With a critical need for rapid diagnosis—where delays often stretch over a year—many children go undiagnosed, missing vital early intervention that shapes their future. The industry struggles with slow processes and limited access, leaving families in despair. With our Cognoa-enhanced AI diagnostic process, we dedicate ourselves to delivering swift, reliable diagnoses in just four weeks, addressing this gap with innovative technology and unwavering care. Based in Paoli, PA, we serve families across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, offering hope where traditional systems fall short. Our commitment extends to those children overlooked by conventional care, ensuring no child is left behind. Through our telehealth platform, we reach into rural areas and underserved regions where services are scarce, bringing vital support directly to families’ homes. Our flexible scheduling eliminates the need for working parents to take multiple days off or travel hours for lengthy appointments, making care accessible and convenient. With every step, we strive to heal the wounds of delay, championing a brighter tomorrow for every child and family in need.
Our Mission
RiseNow Autism Innovations is committed to transforming autism care by delivering rapid, reliable diagnoses and compassionate parent training, empowering families across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Inspired by the challenges of delayed support, we leverage innovative technology, enhanced by Cognoa’s Canvas Dx, to provide answers in just four weeks, ensuring no child loses vital developmental ground. Our telehealth platform offers tailored guidance, fostering hope and resilience for parents and children alike. Dedicated to bridging gaps in autism services, we champion every family’s journey with expertise and empathy, creating a supportive network for all.
Our Team
Richard D’Amato: CRNP, PMHMP, MBA
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Richard’s journey in autism care began as a father, witnessing his daughter’s arduous struggle with a delayed autism diagnosis and disjointed early support, leaving his family in uncertainty and with scarce resources for years. This personal challenge sparked his enduring advocacy, fueling a desire to enhance access for others facing similar obstacles.
Driven by a passion to improve early detection and treatment for children with autism, Richard transitioned from a successful engineering career to pursue nursing, enrolling at Thomas Jefferson University over a decade ago. He graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Nursing, laying the foundation for his specialized path. He later earned an MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, minoring in Autism Integrated Care under Dr. Margaret C. Souders, with hands-on ASD training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. As a Clinical Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, an autism advocacy educator at Saint Joseph’s University, and a conference presenter, he has shared his expertise widely.
Richard currently provides psychiatric services for children with autism, along with his co-worker (and co-founder of RiseNow), Dr. Chris Pagnani, at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, building on his prior roles at Melmark and Devereux. His approach is informed by a passion for genetic disorders and nutrition, reflecting a holistic care philosophy. As an advocate, he remains devoted to supporting families with compassion and insight.
Christopher Pagnani MD
Co-Founder and Medical Director
Chris Pagnani, MD is the Founder and Medical Director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, Fine Tune Psychiatry PC and a co-founder of RiseNow Autism Innovations.
Dr. Pagnani additionally serves as an Instructor at The Johns Hopkins Hopsital for the Department of Psychiatry and a Supervisor at Jefferson Hospital in Psychiatry, both since 2012. He is also an elected member on the Board of Uplift: Center of Grieving Children, which provides free grief therapy to predominantly inner-city children who have lost a loved one to illness, violence, overdose or incarceration. He has been named a Top Doctor by various media sources throughout the Philadelphia area yearly since 2020, been featured on Good Day Philadelphia and KYW News, and written expert mental health commentary for publications such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsweek and PopSugar.
Margaret Souders, PhD, CRNP
Director of Autism Diagnostics and Developmental Pediatrics
Associate Professor Emerita
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Dr. Souders is a distinguished pediatric nurse practitioner, researcher, and educator whose career has been dedicated to improving the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
Over the course of more than 30 years, she provided care to over 3,000 families through the Autism Integrated Care Programs at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She retired in July 2025 from her positions in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
Dr. Souders pioneered innovative approaches in autism care. As the first nurse practitioner in Child Development at CHOP in 2000, she developed an integrated model combining diagnostic and comprehensive care for children with ASD. In 2010, as the first nurse practitioner in the Clinical Genetics Center, she served as a co-investigator in a study using dysmorphologies to phenotype children with ASD, identifying distinct subsets to enable more tailored treatments.
Her clinical expertise earned her recognition at the state level. She participated in the Philadelphia Autism Project (2014–2015), led by Councilman Dennis O’Brien, to establish best practices; served on the Executive Board of the Center for Autism (2010–2017) focused on minority preschoolers; and contributed to the development of the Pennsylvania Psychopharmacology Guidelines.
Dr. Souders’ research has had a significant global impact through her numerous publications, presentations, and leadership in special interest group workshops on sleep at the International Society for Autism Research, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Meeting, and the Biennial International 22q11.2DS Conference.
Drawing inspiration from her extensive clinical practice, Dr. Souders developed an independent research program centered on addressing severe chronic insomnia—a common and debilitating issue affecting many children with ASD. Recognizing that a subgroup of these children experience a hyper-aroused state, she modified the gold-standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) to better suit their needs. Her tailored intervention incorporates a specialized Calming Module that targets anxiety, hyper-arousal, and sensory sensitivities, helping these children achieve improved sleep and overall quality of life.
“Time is critical for children with autism, I’ve witnessed countless children lose vital months to delayed autism diagnoses, their potential stalled by scarce support. Now, we deliver answers in just four weeks, with unwavering care, ensuring no family endures the wait I’ve seen.”
Richard D’Amato: CRNP, PMHMP, MBA
About Cognoa
Cognoa is a pioneering force in pediatric behavioral health, driven by a mission to revolutionize autism care through innovative technology. Founded with a vision to address the challenges families face in accessing timely support, Cognoa seeks to bridge gaps in traditional healthcare systems by developing cutting edge, AI driven tools that enhance understanding and early engagement. Rooted in a commitment to improving outcomes for children, the company harnesses advanced solutions to empower parents and clinicians alike, fostering a collaborative approach to autism management. Based on a dedication to compassion and progress, Cognoa strives to create a future where every child receives the attention and resources needed to thrive, reflecting a heartfelt dedication to transforming lives through accessible care.
Insights Blog
Explore our blog to learn more about autism and other important topics, with expert-backed insights that help you better understand and support your child.
Empowering Parents: How Training Can Transform Your Autistic Child’s Journey
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OCD vs. Restrictive Behaviors in Autism: Understanding the Difference
When your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) repeats actions like lining up toys or...
Unraveling Self-Injury in Autism: Triggers Behind the Behavior
Picture a child overwhelmed by an invisible storm of sensations, lashing out not at the...
Jennifer Fuller, M.Ed., BCBA, LBS
Director of Educational Services
Jennifer is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 19 years of experience in public education. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of roles, including special education teacher, assistant principal, dean of students, and behavior analyst—consistently supporting students with a wide range of learning and behavioral needs. Jennifer also brings over five years of experience as an adjunct professor, teaching graduate-level coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis at East Stroudsburg University.
In addition to her work in the school setting, Jennifer has experience working for organizations that provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, delivering direct therapy, parent training, and support in clinical, in-home, and community-based settings for children with autism.
She holds dual master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and Special Education, is currently pursuing her doctoral degree, and maintains multiple professional certifications, including Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS), Principal Certification, and Special Education Supervisor Certificate.