Stephen Shore, Ed.D.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Consulting
Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.

President emeritus of the Asperger's Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.

Ami Klin, Ph.D.

Yale University School of Medicine
Dr. Klin is the Harris Associate Professor of Child Psychology and Psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, and Yale – New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of London, and completed post-doctoral fellowships in developmental psychopathology at the Yale Child Study Center.

He coordinates psychological evaluations at the Yale Child Study Center Developmental Disabilities Clinic, and the diagnostic, neuropsychological, a nd social cognitive assessments of three large, federally-funded program projects focused on behavioral and neurobiological aspects of autism and related conditions.

Dr. Klin is also Chief of Psychology at the Child Study Center. His research activities focus on psychological and biological mechanisms impacting on socialization, particularly as these mechanisms are expressed in individuals with autism and related severe social disabilities. These studies include novel techniques such as the new eye-tracking laboratory that allows researchers to see the world through the eyes of individuals with autism, as well as to measure their patterns of viewing of naturalistic social situations. He is the author of over 80 publications in the field of autism and related conditions.

He is also the co-editor (with Drs. Fred Volkmar and Sara Sparrow) of a textbook on Asperger Syndrome, published by Guilford Press, and the third edition of the Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders to be published next year by Wiley.

Carol Gray

The Gray Center
President of the Gray Center, Carol initiated and developed the use of Social Stories with students with autistic spectrum disorders, and has written several articles, resources, and chapters on the subject. Carol co-authored the first article describing Social Stories, Social Stories: Improving Responses of Students with Autism with Accurate Social Information, published in Focus on Autistic Behavior in April of 1993. Shortly thereafter, Carol edited the first book of Social Stories, The Original Social Story Book (1993), followed by New Social Stories (1994), which is now under the title, The New Illustrated Social Story Book (revised 2000).

Carol has written several chapters on the topic of Social Stories, including: Teaching Children with Autism to "Read" Social Situations, in Teaching Students with Autism: Methods to Enhance Learning, Communication, and Socialization, a text edited by Dr. Kathy Quill (1995, Delmar Publishers Inc.); Social Assistance, in Higher Functioning Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism, edited by Dr. Ann Fullerton (1996, Pro Ed Inc.); and Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations, in Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism? a text in the Current Issues in Autism series, edited by Dr. Eric Schopler, Dr. Gary Mesibov, and Dr. Linda Kunce (1998, Plenum Press). Most recently, Carol has edited My Social Stories Book, a collection of Social Stories specifically written for young children.

In addition, Carol has extensively researched the topic of bullying. Gray’s Guide to Bullying looks at bullying as it relates to people with ASD (The Morning News, winter 2000, spring 2001 & summer 2001). She has also worked on a curriculum to teach students how to avoid violence.

Carol has developed a variety of other resources addressing additional topics related to the education of children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders. Carol is the author of What’s Next? Educating Students for Success in the Community (1992), Taming the Recess Jungle (1993), and Comic Strip Conversations: Colorful, Illustrated Interactions with Students with Autism and Related Disorders (1994). In addition, Carol is the editor of The Jenison Autism Journal (formerly The Morning News), an international newsletter that shares information among those working on behalf of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders.

Carol is the recipient of the 1995 Barbara Lipinski Award for her international contribution to the education of children with autistic spectrum disorders.

Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

University of Kansas
Brenda is an associate professor at the University of Kansas, who writes and speaks internationally on Asperger Syndrome and autism. The author of numerous publications, Myles’ recent books include Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Issues: Practical Solutions for Making Sense of the World; Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (co-authored by Jack Southwick); Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success, co-authored by Diane Adreon (2001) published by Autism/Asperger Publishing Company, winner of the Autism Society of America Literary Achievement Award; This Is Asperger Syndrome with Elisa Gagnon; and Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Educators.

Diane Adreon, M.A.

University of Miami, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Diane is associate director of the University of Miami-Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. She has over 22 years of experience working with individuals with autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Disorder, and also with their families. She received her M.A. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York.

Since 1993, Ms. Adreon has served as Associate Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Miami (UM-CARD). In her role at UM-CARD she oversees the development and provision of training on High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder and supervision of clinical cases. In addition, Ms. Adreon serves as chairperson of the statewide CARD subcommittee on Asperger’s Disorder She is on the Board of Directors of the Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States. Ms. Adreon has published several articles on Asperger Syndrome as well as presented at international, national, regional and state conferences on this topic.

With Brenda Myles, she is co-author of Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence; Practical Solutions for School Success, (2001) published by Autism/Asperger Publishing Company; winner of the Autism Society of America Literary Achievement Award. She is also the mother of an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome.

Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D.

Doctor of Education
Dr. Holliday Willey is a Doctor of Education, an internationally respected speaker on Asperger Syndrome, a writer and a researcher who specializes in the fields of psycholinguistics and learning style differences. She has worked as an elementary education teacher, a waitress and a retail sales clerk.

She also has Asperger Syndrome, just like one of her daughters. She is the author of Pretending to be Normal: Living With Asperger's Syndrome and Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal (both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.) Liane is currently a visiting Professor of English.

Dean J.M. Mooney, Ph.D., NCSP

Maple Leaf Clinic
Dr. Mooney is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Doctorate and a Licensed School Psychologist in the state of Vermont. He has received National Certification in the United States as a School Psychologist and is also licensed to practice clinical psychology in Ontario, Canada - his birthplace. He is founder of Maple Leaf Clinical Services.

In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor for the College of St. Joseph and Norwich University in Vermont and also the Union Institute in Cincinnati. Dr. Mooney is well-known in New England as a presenter on the topic of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and is proud to host conferences around the US featuring world leaders in the fields of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and Asperger's Syndrome.

Jeff Bradstreet, MD, FAAFP

International Child Development Resource Center
Dr. Bradstreet received his medical degree from the University of South Florida, and his residency training at Wilford Hall US Air Force Medical Center, Brook Army Hospital and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and has been a Research Fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the American Cancer Society and The Southeast OB/GYN Society. He has also conducted research for the US Air Force, and was given Outstanding Clinical Researcher Award by Sandoz.

He performs extensive university affiliated research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. His work had been presented to numerous international symposiums, including; Defeat Autism Now!, Autism Society of America, The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation Conference, the US Congress and the Institute of Medicine. He is currently involved in research into the causes of autism with 15 medical schools in 11 countries.

Most recently, he became the director of the US division of the Intercontinental Case Control Study of Autism and Its Relationship to Vaccines and he serves on the Board of Directors for the International Child Development Resource Center. Within the field of autism, he has guided the Center’s research into the effects of mercury, the immune system, nutrition, and the gastrointestinal system.

He and his wife have two children, Elizabeth age 13 and Matthew age 10. Matthew continues to be Dr. Bradstreet’s inspiration for helping children and families affected by autism spectrum disorders.

Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Editor-in-Chief, Autism Spectrum Quarterly
ADDCON Center, LLC
Dr. Twachtman-Cullen is a communication disorders specialist and licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in autism, Asperger Syndrome, and related conditions. She holds a Master's Degree in speech-language pathology, a Sixth Year diploma in early childhood education, and a Ph.D. in special education. Dr. Twachtman-Cullen serves on several professional advisory boards, including the Panel of Professional Advisors of the Autism Society of America, where she is immediate past co-chairperson. She also serves on the National Behavioral Health Quality Advisory Committee for the Aetna Insurance Company's Behavioral Health Program.

Editor-in-chief of Autism Spectrum Quarterly, Dr. Twachtman-Cullen also provides consultative services and training seminars internationally on a variety of topics related to autism spectrum disorders. Her consultation agency, ADDCON Center, is located in Higganum, Connecticut. Her published works include the following: How Well Does Your IEP Measure Up? Quality Indicators for Effective Service Delivery (co-authored with Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly); A Passion to Believe: Autism and the Facilitated Communication Phenomenon; Trevor, Trevor; and How to Be a Para-Pro: A Comprehensive Training Manual for Paraprofessionals. She can be reached at: addconcenter@snet.net

Susan J. Moreno, M.A.A.B.S.

MAAP Services
Susan Moreno is the founder and president of Maap Services, Inc., and is the editor of The Maap , a quarterly newsletter for families of more advanced individuals within the autism spectrum of disorders. This publication has reached over 10,000 families in the united states and 43 other countries. Mrs. Moreno is the author of "High-functioning Individuals with Autism", a booklet which contains advice and information for parents and supportive professionals.

She also authored a chapter in Mesibov and Schopler's "High Funtioning Individuals with Autism" (Plenum, 1988). In her capacity as president of Maap services, inc. she gives supportive information and advice to parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and others about all aspects of individuals with autism. In addition to writing and editing, Mrs. Moreno is internationally known as a lecturer and motivational speaker.

Mrs. Moreno holds a Master's Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Valparaiso University in Indiana. She has been trained in neurocognitive rehabilitation therapy and has worked in this capacity with head injury survivors. She is the proud parent of two young women, one of whom has autism.

Mrs. Moreno has made many presentations for parents and professionals at various locations throughout the United States and was a keynote speaker at the Autism Society of America National Conference on Autism in 1991 and again in 1999. Rarely are presenters chosen twice for this honor.

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, SLP

Center for Social Thinking
Michelle is a speech language pathologist and specialist for persons with social cognitive deficits. She is internationally recognized as an innovative therapist, energetic and enthusiastic workshop presenter and author based in San Jose, Ca. where she runs her private practice, The Center for Social Thinking.

Michelle and her team specialize in developing further understanding and educational strategies for helping persons with social thinking/social communicative deficits, including those with High Functioning Autism (HFA), Asperger Syndrome (AS), Pervasive Developmental Disability Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD). Michelle's therapists have at least a master's level education in a related field (e.g. speech language pathology, education, psychology).

Michelle has developed the I LAUGH Model of social cognition to help explain the complex difficulties our students experience socially and academically. She has written two books: "Inside Out: What Makes The Person With Social Cognitive Deficits Tick?" (2001) and "Thinking About You Thinking About Me" (2002) which she self-publishes in North America. She has released a training video/DVD, produced through The Gray Center, entitled “Social Thinking Across The School And Home Day” (2003).

All of Michelle’s work is very practical. She has a knack for taking abstract concepts and explaining them in concrete ways to the benefit of educators and students alike.

Steven Gutstein, Ph.D.

The Connections Center
Prior to 1987, Dr. Gutstein was a nationally renowned developer of innovative clinical programs for children with high-risk conditions. In 1983, he received the largest grant ever awarded by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, to develop a family-based intervention program for seriously suicidal adolescents. Dr. Gutstein earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University.

Between 1979 and 1987 he served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School. During this period, Dr. Gutstein also served as the director of Pediatric Psychology for Texas Children’s Hospital. He is currently Director of The Connections Center, and is on the clinical staff of the Texas Children’s Hospital, in Houston, Texas.

Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D.

Organization for Autism Research
Dr. Peter Gerhardt is President of the Organization for Autism Research. Dr. Gerhardt has over 25 years experience working with adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in educational, employment, and community based settings. He is the author or co-author of articles and book chapters on the needs of adults with autism spectrum disorder, the school-to-work-transition process and analysis and intervention of problematic behavior.

He has presented nationally and internationally on these topics. Dr. Gerhardt received his doctorate from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education.

Cathy Pratt

Indiana Research Center for Autism
Dr. Cathy Pratt is the Director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community located at Indiana University. Dr. Pratt is on faculty at Indiana University, and presents internationally at conferences and workshops. Dr. Pratt serves on numerous Advisory Boards, including the Advisory Boards of Maap Services, Inc., and the Autism Society of Indiana. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Autism Society of America and is Co-Chair of the Conference Committee, and a Member of the Government Relations Committee.

Dr. Pratt was recently invited to join the Panel of Professional Advisors for the Autism Society of America. She serves on the Advisory Board for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly and is a guest editor for the Journal on Autism and Developmental Disorders. Dr. Pratt served on the Steering Committee for Training and Dissemination for the National Research and Training Center on Positive Behavioral Support. Recently, Dr. Pratt has been involved with the Institute on Rehabilitation Issues focused on Autism, and with the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee as a member of the Expert Working Group on Services.

She has written articles and presents on the following topics: autism spectrum disorders, functional behavior assessment/positive behavior supports, instructional approaches, systems change, and policy. Prior to pursuing her doctorate at Indiana University, Dr. Pratt worked as a classroom teacher for students across the autism spectrum and with other disabilities.