Award-winning author Cara Koscinski earned her master of occupational therapy degree in 1997 and is currently attending university to earn her doctorate. As a veteran pediatric OT, Cara speaks across the US training therapists, teachers, and parents about autism, sensory processing, behavior, and many other topics. She has six published books and is an occupational therapy advisor and regular contributor to Autism Asperger’s Digest magazine. Her presentations and courses are sold and distributed by several notable companies. Her passion for special needs comes from raising her two sons who are both on the autism spectrum. She also runs a popular blog and website www.PocketOT.com and creates products sold in special needs catalogs.

Anita Lesko is an internationally recognized autism advocate who was diagnosed at age fifty.  Anita earned her Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Columbia University in 1988.  She’s been working full time ever since as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.  Anita was a guest speaker at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for World Autism Awareness Day 2017.  Recognizing the need to educate all health care providers about autism, Anita combined her 30 years as a medical professional with her autism to write The Complete Guide to Autism & Healthcare.  Anita is a great friend of Dr. Temple Grandin.  From over 60 hours of personal interviews with Temple, Anita wrote Temple Grandin:  The Stories I Tell My Friends.  Working on this book was a life-changing journey. Anita and Temple realized just how much they have in common. Anita is married to her soul mate Abraham, also autistic.

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Mandi Mathis is from Eastman, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and Pepperdine School of Law. She currently works at Cowsert and Avery, LLP, in Athens, Georgia, and serves on the Butterfly Dreams Farm Therapeutic Riding Program’s Board of Directors. Mandi has two sons, Tyson and Sawyer. She was introduced to the world of sensory processing disorder while running through the grocery store at a full sprint with her youngest son, Sawyer, tucked under her arm like a football while screaming at the top of his lungs. He was subsequently diagnosed with Asperger’s with SPD and, as the Grateful Dead might say: what a long, strange trip it’s been. Teaching Sawyer to comfort, calm, and advocate for himself is one of her greatest accomplishments. In return, he has taught her more about science than she ever dreamed of learning. Telling this part of Sawyer’s story to help others is a dream come true.

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Born in 1915, now 102.  Cum Laude graduate of Williams college in 1936, founder of New England’s largest advertising agency. Inventor, author, singer, speaker, widower, 4 children.

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Natasha Barber, mother of a child on the autism spectrum, is the founder and manager of “Autism Moms Know Safety.” She has appeared in numerous blogs such as “Mobile Mommies,” “Inspiring Day,” and “Paradigm Behavior” and she also has had multiple safety articles featured in Autism Parenting Magazine. She is a recognized author of the Tommy’s Lessons children’s book series. Books in the series include My Tomato, Guacamole and Onion Sandwich, My Magic Pet Fish, and My Super Cool Ant Farm.

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Robin Cantor-Cooke is co-author of six nonfiction books, one of them a New York Times number one bestseller, and is at work on her seventh. She has worked as a writer, editor, scriptwriter, and producer on more than 40 books and audiotape programs and is an adjunct faculty member at William & Mary.

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Nicholas Martin, founder of The Center for Accord, Inc., is a conflict resolution specialist with extensive experience building strong teams while minimizing conflict. He is a nationwide speaker who has provided seminars and workshops to thousands of people working on behalf of children with special needs, in both English and Spanish. His emphasis is always on making the complex simple and offering practical skills for making a positive difference. Nick’s educational background is in clinical psychology. After many years as a juvenile court psychologist, mental health counselor, and dispute mediator, he has come to focus increasingly on collaboration and conflict reduction in special education. He has been providing highly acclaimed and practically-oriented training for over 30 years and has also taught dispute resolution at the graduate school level.

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Lois Jean Brady is a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology specialist specializing in ASD.  Her daily hands-on experience and research have given her solid base of knowledge upon which she drew to write Apps for Autism, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Speech in Action. In addition, she produced Autism TodayTV, an award-winning public broadcast show.  As an assistive technology specialist she has created apps: InnerVoice, VAST-Autism that significantly improves communication for individuals with autism.

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Alex obtained his degree in Psychology in the National University of Singapore (NUS). He has many years of experience working with children exhibiting a wide array of learning and behavior difficulties, with many diagnosed as having autism spectral disorder (ASD). He received training on Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) in Australia and subsequently went to Houston, Texas to receive Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) training under Dr. Steven Gutstein and Dr. Rachel Sheely. He has presented in Australia, Houston and Singapore and has been invited to participate in interviews by the press in Singapore. Additionally, he has worked with clients from various countries like China, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Australia.

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Author Bio: Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls Wendela Whitcomb Marsh

About the Author

Wendela Whitcomb Marsh is an award-winning author and autism assessment specialist. In addition to her newest book, Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls: When It Has Been Hidden Well, she has written The ABCs of Autism in the Classroom: Setting the Stage for Success for educators, and Independent Living with Autism: Your Roadmap to Success for autistic adults.  She co-authored Homeschooling, Autism Style: Reset for Success with Siobhan Marsh, and Autism Parent Handbook: Start with the End Goal in Mind with Dr. Raun Melmed.  People on the spectrum, especially women and others who struggle to be recognized, are among her favorite people. Dr. Marsh lives in Salem, Oregon, where she owns PIPS for Autism, LLC: Promoting Independence and Problem Solving. Learn more about her books and speaking at www.WendelaWhitcombMarsh.com and about her telehealth autism assessment services at www.pipsforautism.com.

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Catherine Faherty’s long career in autism spans classrooms, homes, job sites, and TEACCH Centers. In the 1990s her best-selling first book, and now its expanded 2nd edition, championed the right of children with ASD to learn about their diagnosis; while supporting parents, therapists and teachers in the process. Her books have received multiple awards; one was named the Autism Society of America’s 2009 Book of the Year. She is a TEACCH® Certified Advanced Consultant and is authorized by Carol Gray to teach Social Stories™. She trains and mentors professionals internationally in all aspects of structured teaching, self-awareness, self-advocacy and communication strategies for children and adults with ASD. Catherine Faherty is a devoted ally to ASD self-advocates, and lives in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina.

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Ms. Wagner is a retired, certified special education teacher and teacher consultant on educating students with autism with over 35 years of experience in the field, most recently as the assistant director of the Emory University’s Autism Center.  Ms. Wagner is also a school consultant, national and international lecturer on educating students with autism spectrum disorders, past project director for a multi-county Inclusion Project affecting thousands of students with ASD in the State of Georgia, and a long-term member of an interdisciplinary diagnostic team. Ms. Wagner is an award-winning author of four publications in the area of ASD, including Inclusive Programming for Elementary Students with Autism (1999), Inclusive Programming for the Middle School Student with Autism and Asperger’s syndrome (2001), Inclusive Programming for High School Students with Autism and Asperger’s (2009), and Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome: Fast Facts (2004).  Both the elementary and high school books won the Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Literary Work of the Year (2001 & 2010 respectively). She has also published a chapter on educating females with Asperger’s syndrome in T. Grandin and T. Attwood’s book, Asperger’s and Girls (Future Horizons) and a chapter in Lee Wilkenson’s book Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention in Schools (American Psychological Association). Ms. Wagner has provided consultation services to numerous television networks on character development for actors portraying individuals with ASD. She continues to consult with school districts and families throughout the State of Georgia and nation on school issues for students with autism/AS and lives in the Atlanta area.

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Steve Lockwood, a board certified behavior analyst, has been working with learners with autism of all ages for over fifteen years. He is a special education teacher, has presented at numerous conferences including the Autism Society National Conference and ABA International Conference, and has been published in Autism-Asperger’s Digest magazine.  He also provides consultation to families regarding parent training and home support services.

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Kelly is a writer, illustrator, and creator of the blog Eating Off Plastic, where she chronicles her life with sensory processing disorder. She is a neurodiversity advocate for children, teens, and adults.

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Mary Wrobel is the author of Taking Care of Myself, a hygiene, health, puberty, and personal safety curriculum for students with ASD and related disabilities. Her book won the Autism Society of America Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award-Educational Division for 2004. Her most recent book, Taking Care of Myself 2, is a guide for teens and young adults with ASD and covers the topics of hygiene, health, public behavior, relationships, personal safety, and sex and sexual relationships.  She has also contributed to two previously published books: Autism 101 Manual and Asperger’s and Girls.

Ms. Wrobel is a teacher and speech-language pathologist who has taught and worked with students with autism and other disabilities for more than 25 years.  As a consultant, she trains both parents and teachers in communication and language approaches, behavior strategies, academic/curricular modifications, safety instruction, as well as health, hygiene, puberty, and personal safety. Her extensive knowledge of and experience with assistive technology has helped her to create a large library of resources as well as individualized materials, supports strategies and accommodations and for a wide variety of students with disabilities.

Besides presenting nationally at several autism conferences, Ms. Wrobel has also taught university classes, has spoken to several parent organizations, and has offered numerous, varied workshops to many professionals including speech-language pathologists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, and teachers.

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Cindy Best is an author, pediatric physical therapist, and ceramic artist.  She is the creator of the non-profit A.R.T.S.: Adaptive art. Respite. & Therapeutic play. Services.  A.R.T.S. provides adaptive art classes and summer camps to children and young adults with special needs, incorporating their OT, PT, speech, behavioral, social, recreational, and vocational goals into their sessions. Cindy also owns Little Bear Pottery creating custom tile work, sinks, house plates, award plates and teaching pottery, wood working, and sewing classes to children and adults of all ages.

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Julie Clark is a writer, speaker, and author discussing parenting and Asperger’s syndrome from a mother’s point of view. Her book, Asperger’s in Pink, enjoys a global readership and offers down-to-earth advice and insight for those interested in learning more about raising a child on the autism spectrum. Julie uses a strengths-based approach. She firmly believes we are more than numbers, words on a page, or labels others place upon us. She will challenge you to embrace your uniqueness, celebrate it, and move forward; our stories are far from complete.

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Ellen Yack, M.Ed., B.Sc.O.T., OT Reg (Ont.),  is an occupational therapist who possesses a unique combination of expertise in the areas of clinical work, consultation, education, and public speaking.  Ellen has practiced as an occupational therapist since 1979 and has a masters degree in education.  She is internationally recognized for her expertise in sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders and has conducted workshops across Canada. Ellen has over 39 years of experience working with children and adults with ASD including consultation to the Geneva Centre for Autism for over 10 years.  Ellen’s other areas of expertise include developmental coordination disorder, sensory processing disorders, global developmental delay, attention deficit disorders, and learning disabilities. She is one of the co-authors of Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration: Occupational Therapy for Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders which won a Teachers Choice Award for Best Special Education Classroom Resource.   Ellen is also a contributor to the book Children, Youth and Adults with Asperger Syndrome.

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Lisa Lewis earned her PhD in Biological Anthropology from New York University. Her son’s autism diagnosis and his successful adoption of the gluten-free, casein-free diet led to her award-winning Special Diets for Special Kids series. Lisa and her husband live in New Jersey with pets Teddy and Murphy.

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Carlos Torres is an author, coach, and therapist. He creates curriculum and designs groups to develop social skills, leisure skills, and vocational skills. Additionally, he coaches special needs sports teams. Carlos’ degree is in special education and he works full time helping at-risk children and young adults gain skills needed for independence.

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Dr. Bialer is an experienced seminar leader, educational adjunct instructor, and has lectured and provided numerous clinical workshops on sensory processing disorder, handwriting, motor learning, pediatrics and on school-based therapy. She has been an independent provider and consultant to school districts and to preschools, and is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.  Dr. Bialer provides professional development workshops to a number of teachers sharing her knowledge.

Dr. Bialer is a graduate of New York University in which she received her BS and advanced masters degree in occupational therapy.  She has completed her post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from Rocky Mountain University in the area of pediatric science. Dr. Bialer holds certifications in neurodevelopmental therapy in both pediatrics and adults, and in the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. Dr. Bialer is a certified Pilates mat Instructor and holds a personal training certification from Hofstra University Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE).

She has recently written a book, co-authored by Dr. Lucy J. Miller and the Star Center called No Longer A SECRET; Unique Common-sense Strategies for Children with Sensory and Motor Challenges. This book is published through Sensory World, 2011 (Future Horizons). Dr. Bialer is an advanced mentored clinician in sensory processing disorder and studied under the guidance of Dr. Lucy J Miller and Dr. Sarah Shoen.

Dr. Bialer is currently a private practitioner working in a state of the art sensory gym in Locust Valley, and dedicates her professional life in working with children and families.  She practices as an evidence-based practitioner, whose goal is help children and families successfully function and participate in the home, at school, and within the community.

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Hartley Steiner lives in the Seattle area with her three sons. She is the award-winning author of the SPD Children’s book This is Gabriel Making Sense of School, Sensational Journeys, and It’s Just a What?. She is a parenting coach as well as an active advocate and speaker. She is a contributing writer for S.I. Focus Magazine and Autism Spectrum Quarterly, among dozens of other websites and blogs. When she isn’t writing or dealing with a meltdown, she enjoys spending time in the company of other adults; preferably with good food and even better wine.

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Lisa Tew graduated from Purdue University with a master’s degree in speech and language pathology. Lisa has worked to improve communication and related functional skills of hundreds of children and young adults on the autism spectrum, in a variety of settings, for over 30 years. Lisa currently works with middle and high school students, many of whom have autism spectrum disorder. She is also a transition coordinator in the schools, helping students with disabilities to make positive post-secondary transitions to independence, higher education and/or employment.

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Diane Zajac earned a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University. She has worked 20 years in the elementary and middle school settings, with hundreds of students on the autism spectrum, supporting their social communication needs. She also works to improve the employment skills of young adults with ASD as a job coach in the community.

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Marci is a speech language pathologist with the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Programs participating in multi-disciplinary team diagnostic evaluation, school consultation, and training. Marci has practiced in Albuquerque for the past 35 years, providing direct services, consultation, training and student supervision in public school, private practice, and university settings. She has lectured nationally and internationally on topics related to sensory processing and communication, family issues, and autism spectrum disorder. Marci is co-author of several related publications, most recently Our Hearts’ Desire: For Families Navigating the Journey of Sensory Processing Challenges.

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Mo is an occupational therapist with a 30-year history of working with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mo works at the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Programs providing trainings, leading a program for young adults, and serving as the practicum director for Camp Rising Sun. In addition, Mo has a private practice, Theraplay, LLC, where she provides therapy and consultation for people with ASD, sensory processing disorder, and behavioral differences across the lifespan. Mo facilitates sensory/social groups and consults within the community to help provide appropriate evidence-based supports and accommodations for individuals with ASD in classroom, community, and home settings. She has shared her experiences through trainings around New Mexico, nationally, and internationally. Her career has been devoted to better “real life” outcomes for all individuals.

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Mrs. Rebecca Moyes, a former teacher in both public and private schools for nine years, is the mother of two children. Her oldest is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. A consultant in public and private schools for 25 years, she has provided training to parents and teachers in 44 states of the U.S. and Canada.

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Smart. Lively. Cheeky. A global conversation-starter with a doppleganger Sesame Street muppet. That’s Jennifer O’Toole, author of the Asperkids series and Sisterhood of the Spectrum, the award- winning, best-selling autism-related book collection in the world, and the highly-anticipated Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life of the Spectrum, already named a “Top Amazing Feminist Book of 2018” and an Amazon #1 New Release. At the age of thirty-five, Jennifer O’Toole was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (autism), just after her three young children had been similarly identified. It was 2011, and for the first time in her life, things made sense. They made so much sense, in fact, that now, Jennifer is the winner of the Autism Society of America’s 2014 Outstanding Literary Work of the Year and the 2012 Temple Grandin Award for Outstanding Global Contributions, was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in North Carolina and 25 Most Amazing Autistic Women, is a recipient of GRASP’s Distinguished Spectrumite Parenting Medal and the Make- A-Wish Foundation’s Women Inspiring Hope and Strength Award, was named AuKids Speaker of the Year, and has been celebrated by Disney’s Babble and The Mighty. She is an “Ask the Expert” columnist for healthline.com, sits on the Professional Panel of the Autism Society of America, and is a go-to editorialist/columnist for Amy Poehler’s girl- power juggernaut, “Smart Girls at the Party.” From her own struggles and self-discovery, Jennifer has built an empire of empowerment. She’s been invited to speak on Capitol Hill, and to the President’s Council on Fitness at the White House Summit on Americans with Disabilities, was the Guest of Honor of Their Royal Highnesses, the UK’s Princess Sophie and Princess Marie of Denmark. She and was added to the “Who’s Who” list of International Aspie Mentors — along with Temple Grandin and Stephen Shore – to contribute to Dr. Tony Attwood’s Been There. Done That. Try This. anthology. Jennifer’s unique “have a cup of coffee with me” conversationalist presentation of useful insights has touched hearts, lightened spirits, and broadened minds around the world.

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Addressing stress and anxiety disorders in young people on the autism spectrum has been the focus and passion of Dr. Lynch’s 20+ year career.  To this end, he developed the Aspirations Life Management Program while serving in his role as director of the Pediatric Behavioral Medicine department at Goryeb Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Lynch has written and spoken extensively on the topic of anxiety in autism and has developed award-winning resources in this area.

Brenda Smith Myles Ph.D., formerly, a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas, is the recipient of the Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award, the Princeton Fellowship Award, The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome (GRASP) Divine Neurotypical Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Champion, and two-time recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award. She served as the editor of the journal Intervention in School and Clinic and has been a member of the editorial board of several journals. Brenda has made over 3000 presentations all over the world and written more than 300 articles and books on autism. In addition, she collaborated with the three organization who identified evidenced-based practices in autism. Further, in the latest survey conducted by the University of Texas, she was acknowledged as the second most productive applied researcher in autism in the world.